Once a homeowner decides on a new roof, the next question is usually what to put on it, and it often comes down to metal versus asphalt shingles. Both are good roofs. They just trade off differently on cost, lifespan, and upkeep. Here is an honest look at how the two compare on a Maryland home, so you can pick the one that fits how long you plan to stay and what you want to spend.
The Short Version
Asphalt shingles are the more affordable roof to install, come in the widest range of looks, and are easy to repair, but they do not last as long. Metal costs more up front and takes a more specialized crew, and in return it lasts far longer, shrugs off wind and fire, and asks almost nothing of you once it is on. Neither is the wrong answer. The better fit depends on your budget and your timeline in the house.
How Long Each One Lasts
Lifespan is the clearest difference. A quality asphalt shingle roof commonly lasts somewhere in the range of fifteen to thirty years in our climate, depending on the grade of shingle and how well the roof is ventilated. A metal roof often runs forty to seventy years. If you plan to be in the house a long time, a metal roof may be the last one you buy, while asphalt may see one replacement in that same stretch. We get into what drives shingle longevity in our post on how long a roof lasts in Maryland, and the differences between shingle grades in our piece on architectural versus three-tab shingles.
Up-Front Cost
There is no way around it: metal costs more to buy and install than asphalt. The material is more expensive, and the installation calls for a crew trained to work with panels and seams, which is part of why fewer contractors offer it. Asphalt is the more budget-friendly choice and the reason it sits on most houses in Maryland. Because a new roof is quoted for the specific house, the gap between the two is best answered with an estimate rather than a rule of thumb, and either way there is a lot more to the number than the material alone.
How They Handle Our Weather
Maryland throws heat, humidity, wind, and the occasional heavy snow at a roof. Metal handles all of it well. It sheds snow and rain fast, stands up to high wind, does not burn, and reflects a good deal of summer heat, which can ease the load on your cooling. Asphalt performs well too when it is installed right and the attic is vented properly, though it ages faster in heat and is more prone to the dark algae streaks common on shaded slopes here, which we cover in our post on black streaks on your roof. Metal does not feed algae the way an asphalt surface can.
The Myths About Metal
Two worries come up every time metal is mentioned, and both are mostly outdated. A modern metal roof installed over a solid deck and underlayment is not the drum-in-a-rainstorm people imagine; it is about as quiet inside as any other roof. And a metal roof does not make your house more likely to be struck by lightning. Those concerns belonged to old barn roofs, not to a properly built residential metal roof.
Style and Repairs
Asphalt wins on variety and on easy fixes. It comes in many colors and profiles, it is simple to match, and a damaged section can be repaired quickly by almost any roofer. Metal comes in fewer looks, though standing-seam and modern profiles are sharp, and while a panel is harder to spot-repair than a shingle, a metal roof rarely needs it. If you like being able to change or repair the roof easily down the road, asphalt is the more forgiving choice.
Which One Is Right for You
If you want the lower up-front cost, the widest choice of looks, and an easy roof to repair, asphalt is the sensible pick, and it is what most of our customers choose. If you plan to stay for the long haul and want a roof you may never replace, and the higher up-front cost fits, metal can be worth it. We install both and we are happy to lay the options side by side for your house rather than steer you toward one. The best way to decide is a free inspection, where we look at your roof and talk through what a replacement in either material would involve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a metal roof better than asphalt shingles?
Neither is simply better; they trade off differently. Metal lasts far longer, handles wind and fire well, and needs little upkeep, but costs more up front. Asphalt is more affordable, comes in more styles, and is easy to repair, but does not last as long. The right choice depends on your budget and how long you plan to stay in the house.
How much longer does a metal roof last than asphalt?
A quality asphalt shingle roof commonly lasts about fifteen to thirty years in our climate depending on the grade and ventilation, while a metal roof often lasts forty to seventy years. For a homeowner staying long term, a metal roof may be the last one they buy, whereas asphalt might see a replacement in that same period.
Why does metal roofing cost more than shingles?
The material itself is more expensive, and installing it takes a crew trained to work with panels and seams, which is part of why fewer contractors offer it. Asphalt is the more budget-friendly option and the reason it is on most homes. Because every roof is quoted for the specific house, the real difference is best answered with an estimate.
Is a metal roof noisy in the rain?
Not on a modern home. A metal roof installed over a solid deck and underlayment is about as quiet inside as any other roof. The drumming sound people picture comes from old barn roofs with no deck beneath them, not from a properly built residential metal roof.
Does Diakite install both metal and asphalt roofs?
Yes. We install both and will lay the options side by side for your specific house rather than push one over the other. The best way to decide is a free inspection, where we look at the roof and walk through what a replacement in either material would involve.