Metal Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles

Your complete guide to roof material selection in Florida

Florida homeowners’ two major options to decide between are metal roofing and asphalt shingles when getting ready to reroof their home. You’ll want to consider durability, hurricane and storm-resistance, added home value, energy efficiency, lifespan, and overall cost. Homeowners tend to prefer the aesthetic appeal of one roofing type over another but when selecting the best quality roof you should consider more factors than just visual preferences.

Deciding on a roofing material comes down to your financial situation and what qualities you’re most concerned with your new roof having. To determine this you’ll need to examine the qualities of metal roofing and asphalt shingles directly against one another.

WHAT IS THE MOST DURABLE ROOFING MATERIAL?

Metal roofing is the clear winner when it comes to durability. You’ll see the reliability and durability reflected in the warranties given to metal roofs. Often these warranties are given for up to fifty years with metal roofing lifespans expectancy being even higher.

Shingles, however, can beat out metal roofing options like aluminum which can show some lifting after high winds. What you’ll need to know upfront when installing shingles is their heavier weight over metal roofing. While this may seem like a better option with the logic of a heavier roof being more difficult to destroy, that isn’t always the case.

HOW THESE ROOFING MATERIALS STANDUP TO HARSH WEATHER

When it comes to normal amounts of rain and wind, asphalt shingles certainly get the job done. However, these roofs usually can’t handle winds over 130 mph, and their wind performance declines steadily as they age. Hurricane-force winds can easily rip shingles from a roof, whereas a metal roof would fair fine.

A properly installed metal roof that meets manufacturer certifications can withstand winds of over 140 or 150 mph, making it the most weather-resistant of the two options. While metal roofing is better at standing up to hurricanes and storms, it is more susceptible to denting than shingle roofs. Hail damage can be more significant on a metal roof than a shingle roof. But this doesn’t mean shingle roofs are completely resistant to hail damage.

In a state known for hurricanes, it pays to have a metal roof.

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WHICH ROOFING MATERIAL ADDS THE MOST VALUE TO YOUR HOME?

A metal roof has a higher upfront cost than traditional asphalt shingles, but it also comes with a higher resale value — usually 1 to 6 percent higher, to be exact. Resale values are also dependent on geographic region. Florida residents will be happy to hear the ROI of a metal roof on the east coast is about 95 percent, compared to 85 percent on the west coast. Metal roofs do not match every home buyer’s style, color, or personal preferences. While this may turn some potential home buyers away, it won’t impact your home’s value and final ROI.

Shingles do add value to your home but not in any significant amount. This is because shingles are the standard roofing material in Florida. While a new roof of any kind will add value to your home, a new metal roof will make a more significant impact.

WHICH ROOFING MATERIAL IS THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT?

Metal roofs can be excellent insulators for your home. While a new roof of any kind can improve your energy efficiency, a metal roof offers energy savings of 25 percent compared to 15 percent with an asphalt shingle roof. Choose a metal roof with a light color to better reflect more heat and generate more savings.

Let’s break the energy savings down. The average household has a $100 energy bill every month. When you install a metal roof on your home this amount drops by roughly $25 per month, leaving you with a monthly energy bill of only $75 a month. Over the span of a year you’ll save a total of $300.

Shingle roofs are good at absorbing heat which is great during the winter but can be a pain in the summer. Plus, if you’re looking for additional eco-friendly benefits metal roofing may be a safer bet. Shingles can be recycled but only certain types. If you don’t have a specific shingle type it may just end up in a landfill. Metal roofing can be consistently recycled and reused, making it a much more eco-friendly roofing material.

a gleaming metal roof coated with pvdf and smp finishes glistens under the intense sun of southwest florida, showcasing its strong defense against corrosion.

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HOW DO SHINGLE AND METAL ROOFING COSTS COMPARE?

Metal roofs usually cost over twice as much as an asphalt shingle roof: $18,000 and $9,000 respectively. However, time plays a huge factor in the overall costs you put into a roof. Let’s break it down:

A Metal roof = $18,000 x 1 (60 year lifespan) = $18,000 lifetime cost
A Shingle roof = $9,000 x 3 (three 20-year lifespans) = $27,000 lifetime cost

While shingles are a budget-friendly roofing option if you just need a new roof on your home, metal roofs are the best long-term roofing investment for your home. While you might spend less money up front with an asphalt shingle roof, a metal roof will last three times as long and give you peace of mind — so if you’re hoping to stay in your house for decades to come, the metal roof is a better financial decision.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT METAL ROOFING EXPERTS

There are over 7,860 roofing contractors in Florida, with so many options available you want to make sure you pick a company that is reliable, qualified, and installs a roof built to last. No matter the type of roof you have installed on your roof, it takes a top-notch roofing company to install your roof the right way. Having professionals install your roof will help ensure the following:

More Efficient – Experienced roofing contractors can get your roof installed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality.
Higher Quality – If you use an unreputable roofing contractor you can’t guarantee the roofing material and the installation will be high quality. This isn’t a problem when using reputable roofing contractors in your area. Safer Option – If you try to install a roof yourself you could easily end up injured due to lack of experience and few to no safety measures being taken during installation. Professional roofing contractors have the proper safety training and equipment necessary to safely install roofs.
Less Costly – DIYing your roofing or bringing in a poorly-reviewed company could be less cost-efficient than working with a reputable company. Roofing contractors already have all the necessary equipment and are able to get the roofing material for cheaper due to their relationships with manufacturers. If you DIY your roof you won’t get these same discounts and you’ll need to purchase all the supplies.

Hippo Roofing protect your home from the elements, improve your curb appeal, save you money on your monthly energy bills, and give you peace of mind. We’re happy to help you find the perfect metal roof for your home — call us for a free estimate today.