Metal Roof vs. Shingles Pros and Cons 2024

As roofers, one of the biggest questions we get is: What’s the best roofing material? And that’s a tough question to answer because they all have their own pros and cons. But what we can tell you is that metal roofing and asphalt shingles are two of the most popular roofing options in Florida. So how do you choose between a metal roof vs. shingles?

We’ve got some tips to help answer that question. We’re John Hogan Roofing, and after 30 years of roofing in Florida, we know that everyone has their own criteria for the “best” roofing material. Today, we’re going to consider the metal roof vs. shingles pros and cons to help you make a decision that’s right for you and your structure.

Metal Roofing vs. Shingles: Pros and Cons

Every roofing material offers some advantage that others don’t. So how do metal roofs and asphalt shingles compare? Let’s look at some of the different ways that each of these materials has its own ups and downs when compared to the other.

Roofing Durability and Lifespan

Comparing metal roofs vs. shingles when it comes to durability and longevity, there is one clear winner. Asphalt shingles last for up to 25 years and can withstand winds of around 110 mph. They’re also able to keep water away from your roof decking and come with a Class A fire rating, so they offer respectable protection for your home.

However, they can’t compete with the durability of metal roofs. Metal roofing lasts for 40-70 years, can withstand winds of up to 140 mph, and offers even better water resistance than shingles since metal can’t be soaked through by heavy rains. This ensures that your roof stays dry and doesn’t develop an issue with mold or pests.

If shingles are stronger than metal roofs in any way, it’s in the fact that they can’t rust. But when you get a metal roof from an experienced Florida roofing contractor, the metal will be coated with a protective alloy to mitigate this risk. So in all, metal roofing clearly comes ahead in the pricing department.

Homeowners Insurance Benefits

Metal roofing and shingles are both stable, reliable roofing materials, but one of them is more than likely going to be preferred by your homeowners insurance. Because of its durability and hurricane resistance, most insurers prefer to have policies with homeowners who have shingle roofs. After all, if your roof is sturdier, then it’s a lower risk for them to insure it.

This means that metal roofs often come with lower homeowners insurance rates. This is an appealing side benefit that can help offset some of the price difference between a metal roof vs. shingles.

New Roof Costs: Metal vs. Shingle

With such a large performance gap, it’s no surprise that metal roofs and shingle roofs come at very different price points. Before we get into the numbers, we need to give a disclaimer that roofing prices are always in flux and will ultimately depend on the specific factors of your roof. With that said, let’s talk about the average cost of a metal roof vs. shingles in Florida.

For a hardy architectural shingle, you should expect to pay around five to eight dollars per square foot. If your roof is 2,000 square feet, that means that the cost of your shingle roof could be between $10,000 and $16,000.

Metal roofing is a very different story, however. Metal roofing prices vary even more than shingle prices, but in general, a new metal roof could cost between $10 and $25 per square foot. So for a 2,000-square-foot roof, you’re looking at a price tag between $20,000 and $50,000.

This considerable price difference is the biggest reason that most homeowners choose shingle roofs. But for plenty of Floridian homeowners, metal roofs make sense as a long-lasting investment in your property.

Ease and Frequency of Roof Repairs

No matter what kind of roof you get, sooner or later something will break and it will need repairs. But asphalt shingles will encounter issues much more often than metal roofs. This is especially true in Florida, where hurricanes can easily remove shingles via wind uplift. Without quickly replacing the missing shingles, this could spiral into many other roofing problems like leaks and rotting decking. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that shingle repairs will also be less expensive than metal repairs.

Metal roofs are not immune to damage, but they need repairs much less often. With their improved durability and wind resistance, they simply don’t become damaged as easily. Over time you may notice a few dents from hail or storm debris, which may not even present a structural concern for your roof.

Energy Efficiency

If going green is important to you in your new roof, you should look at metal roofing options. In many cases, metal roofing reflects heat away from the home. In this way, it reduces the amount that your air conditioning needs to work, which is both energy efficient and reduces your monthly energy bills.

You can replicate this effect to some extent by choosing a light-colored shingle roof option. However, it’s unlikely that any kind of shingle roof will reflect heat as much as a metal roof.

Variety of Styles

The ability to get exactly the aesthetic you want is important regardless of the type of roof you choose. And both shingles and metal roofs offer a lot of variety when it comes to aesthetics.

Metal roofing is available as both crimped 5V and flat standing seam, both of which offer very different looks. But in terms of colors, there aren’t a lot of different options readily available on the market. That’s why most metal roofs you see still come in some shade of gray.

For shingles, on the other hand, there’s virtually no limit to the colors that you can pick for your roof. This makes them more appealing to homeowners who want a particular or unconventional color for their roofs.

Get the Best Roof for Your Structure

We can talk all day about metal roofs vs. shingles, but ultimately, the choice of what to put on your roof is yours. And no matter what you choose, the experienced roofers at John Hogan Roofing are ready to help.

To get started on your metal or shingle roof replacement, all you have to do is schedule your free roofing estimate. If you want, we can happily provide estimates for both metal and shingle roofs and discuss the pros and cons of each with you to help you come to a decision. Because at John Hogan, we’re here to do right by our customers no matter what roofing materials they prefer.

Give us a chance to earn your business and see why we’ve been trusted with Florida roof replacements for over three decades!