Metal roofing costs roughly double an asphalt shingle roof upfront, but lasts two to three times as long and requires far less maintenance — the math tends to favor metal for homeowners planning to stay 15+ years.
Metal roofing typically costs $13,000 to $45,000 installed depending on panel type, and lasts 40 to 70 years — roughly 2-3x the lifespan of asphalt shingles. Budget corrugated panels sit at the low end; standing seam (the premium, hidden-fastener option most homeowners picture) sits at the high end.
Standing seam commands a premium specifically because hidden (concealed) fasteners eliminate the most common failure point on exposed-fastener panels — the neoprene washers under exposed screws degrade over 15-20 years and need periodic replacement.
| Corrugated / exposed-fastener | $13,000 – $23,000 | 30–45 yrs | Budget-conscious, agricultural/rustic look |
| Standing seam | $28,000 – $45,000 | 50–70 yrs | Premium residential, hidden fasteners |
| Stone-coated steel | $25,000 – $38,000 | 40–60 yrs | Mimics shingle/tile look, high wind rating |
The material itself isn't dramatically more expensive than premium asphalt shingle — the cost difference is mostly labor. Metal installation requires specialized tools, precise seaming (for standing seam), and installers with metal-specific training, which is a smaller labor pool than asphalt shingle crews in most markets.
Rain noise is a legitimate concern on an unfinished metal roof over open framing, but with proper solid decking and underlayment (standard on any professional install), a metal roof is not noticeably louder than shingle in a finished home. Thermal expansion is real — panels expand and contract with temperature — but standing seam systems are specifically engineered with floating clips that accommodate this movement without buckling.
Metal performs exceptionally well in snow-load climates (its slick surface sheds snow rather than accumulating it), high-wind and hurricane-prone regions (properly installed standing seam is rated for 140+ mph in many systems), and wildfire-adjacent areas (Class A fire rating). It's a poor fit for homeowners planning to sell within 3-5 years, since the resale value bump rarely matches the upfront premium on that timeline.
For an average 2,000-2,400 sqft roof. Standing seam sits at the higher end; corrugated at the lower end.
Not with proper installation over solid decking and underlayment — the noise concern mostly applies to metal installed directly over open rafters, which is uncommon in residential construction.
It's possible with furring strips in some cases, but most contractors recommend a full tear-off for standing seam specifically, since an uneven substrate telegraphs through the panels and looks visibly wavy.
No — this is a persistent myth. Metal doesn't attract lightning any more than other roofing materials; if anything, metal's non-combustibility makes a lightning strike less dangerous than on a wood or asphalt roof.
Roughly $11-$22 per square foot installed depending on panel type, compared to $4-$9 for asphalt shingle — the multiple reflects both material and specialized labor cost.
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