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What are the latest roofing color trends for 2025?
Aaron Venegaz is the President and founder of Global Exterior Experts and has been in the construction / roofing industry for over 15+ years. He started the company back in 2010 and done everything from scheduling appointments to putting down roofs. He's also done everything from commercial roofing to residential roofing and has also worked with almost every single roofing material multiple times over the past 15 years.
A metal roof typically costs two to three times more than asphalt shingles upfront. For a standard 2,000 square foot home, expect to pay somewhere between $18,000 and $35,000 for a standing seam metal roof, while architectural shingles run between $9,000 and $15,000. That price gap is significant, no question. But the real answer to "which costs more" depends entirely on how long you plan to stay in your home.
Here's the thing: roof replacement costs aren't just about what you pay today. They're about what you'll pay over the next 30, 40, or even 50 years.
Metal Vs. Shingle | Why the Price Difference Is So Large
Metal roofing costs more for several straightforward reasons.
Material costs run higher, steel and aluminum panels require more raw material expense than petroleum-based asphalt, the manufacturing process is more complex, and the protective coatings (particularly Kynar 500/PVDF finishes that resist fading) add significant cost.
Installation also takes longer and requires specialized skills while a crew that installs shingles all day can move through an asphalt project quickly. Sometimes they can get done within 1 day! The thing is, metal installation demands precision cutting, proper seaming techniques, and careful attention to expansion and contraction. Not to mention, finding qualified metal roof installers can be challenging which drives labor rates higher.
Not to mention, premium materials and specialized labor mean higher bills. The question just becomes whether those higher bills pay off over time.
The Midwest Weather Factor
Living in this part of the country means roofs take serious punishment. The temperature swings from sub-zero winters to hot, humid summers cause materials to expand and contract repeatedly. Spring thunderstorms bring hail. Winter dumps snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles that test every seam and shingle.
Asphalt shingles absorb heat in summer and become brittle in extreme cold. Hail can crack them and ice dams can lift their edges while a well-installed architectural shingle roof will last 20 to 25 years in our climate, sometimes approaching 30 with premium products. After that, you're looking at another roof replacement.
Metal roofs handle these conditions remarkably well. They shed snow efficiently, resist hail better than shingles (though heavy hail can cause cosmetic denting), and don't degrade from UV exposure like asphalt does. A properly installed standing seam metal roof can last 40 to 70 years.
6 Factors That Affect Your Actual Roof Price
These factors apply whether you choose metal or shingles.
1. Roof Size
The most obvious factor. More square footage means more materials, more labor, more cost. Roofing contractors typically price by the "square," which equals 100 square feet of roof area.
2. Pitch and Complexity
Steeper roofs take longer to work on safely and have more surface area than they appear from the ground so multiple dormers, valleys, and different levels require more cutting, more flashing, and more time. Complex roofs typically can add 20% to 40% to the base price.
3. Tear-Off Requirements
Removing your existing roof adds more per square foot. Either way local codes typically allow no more than two layers of asphalt shingles so you can't really get out of this one, plus metal roofs generally require a complete tear-off regardless of what's currently installed.
4. Decking Condition
Once the old roof comes off; rotted or damaged plywood sections need replacement before new roofing goes on. This is impossible to know for certain until the project starts and everything gets torn off.
5. Penetrations and Flashing
Chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents, and HVAC penetrations all require more flashing & work.
6. Geographic Location and Timing
Labor rates in metropolitan areas typically run 10% to 25% higher than rural communities. Also peak roofing season (late spring through early fall) can also affect pricing and availability.
The Life Cycle Cost Calculation
This is where the metal vs. shingles comparison gets genuinely interesting.
Consider a 30-year homeownership scenario. With architectural shingles lasting 20 to 25 years on average, you'll need at least one additional roof replacement during that time. Factor in inflation, and that second shingle roof could cost 40% to 60% more than today's prices.
A metal roof installed today should still be going strong after 30 years and likely will still have decades of life remaining.
Run the numbers on a typical 2,000 square foot roof:
30-year shingle scenario:
- Initial roof: $15,000
- Replacement at year 22 (with inflation): $20,000 to $22,000
- Total: $35,000 to $40,000
30-year metal scenario:
- Initial roof: $30,000
- Replacement needed: None
- Total: $30,000
The upfront premium suddenly looks different when stretched across decades.
When Shingles Make More Sense
Metal roofing isn't the right choice for everyone and if you are 1 of the following, shingles are probably for you.
If you're selling soon or If you plan to move within 5 to 7 years, you likely won't recoup the metal roof premium at resale. A new shingle roof provides excellent curb appeal without the larger investment.
If you have a strict budget constraint. Not everyone has $25,000 to $35,000 available so quality architectural shingles still provide solid protection at roughly half the cost.
Your neighborhood aesthetic matters. In traditional neighborhoods where every home has shingles, a metal roof might look out of place.
When Metal Makes More Sense
On the other hand, metal roofing becomes way more compelling in these situations.
You're staying put or planning to live in your home for 15 years or more? The life cycle cost math increasingly favors metal.
You're tired of roof replacements. Some homeowners simply want to solve the roofing question permanently and a quality metal roof installed in your 50s could easily last the rest of your homeownership years.
If severe weather is a concern. If hail damage has prompted multiple insurance claims over the years, metal's superior impact resistance might reduce future headaches.
Energy efficiency matters to you. Metal roofs or specific colors classified as cool roofs reflect solar radiation rather than absorbing it, potentially reducing cooling costs by 10% to 25% during hot summers.
What to Consider Next
Deciding between metal and shingles ultimately comes down to your timeline, your budget, and your priorities.
If upfront cost matters most and you're not planning to stay long-term; then quality architectural shingles remain an excellent choice. They've protected homes reliably for decades, and modern products perform better than ever.
If you're thinking 20, 30, or 40 years ahead, then metal roofing's life cycle advantages become difficult to ignore. The higher initial investment pays dividends in avoided replacement costs, reduced maintenance, and potential energy savings.
Either way if you invest in quality materials and professional installation. A poorly installed expensive roof underperforms a well installed moderate one every time so don't forget that the roofing company matters as much as the materials.
Take your time to get multiple quotes, ask the right questions, and make an informed decision. Your roof protects everything underneath it so that investment deserves careful consideration.
