We install both metal and shingle roofs every week, and we do not push one over the other. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay in the house, your budget today, what your neighborhood looks like, and what kind of weather your roof sees.
Here is how they compare for homes in Leesville, DeRidder, Lake Charles, Alexandria and the rest of our service area.
Lifespan
A well-installed metal roof commonly outlasts two or three shingle roofs. Architectural shingles hold up well too, but Louisiana heat and humidity age them faster than the same shingle in a milder climate, especially over a hot, under-ventilated attic.
If you plan to stay in your home for decades, metal's lifespan is the strongest argument for it. If you expect to sell in a few years, a new shingle roof usually makes more sense.
Upfront cost
Shingles cost less upfront. Exposed-fastener metal panel sits between shingles and standing seam. Standing seam, with concealed clips and no screws in the weather, costs the most. Over the full life of the roof, the gap narrows because you may replace a shingle roof again before a metal one needs work.
Wind and hurricanes
Both can be rated for high wind. In a named storm, the installation decides what stays on: nailing patterns, sealed starter at the edges, edge metal, and on metal roofs the clip or fastener spacing. A cheap install of either material will fail where a careful install holds.
Close to the coast in Lake Charles and Moss Bluff, we often recommend concealed-clip standing seam or a high-wind shingle system installed to the manufacturer's high-wind specification.
Heat and energy
Metal with a light or reflective finish sheds more summer heat than dark shingles. But for either roof, attic ventilation matters more than most people think. A balanced soffit-to-ridge system keeps the attic cooler and helps shingles last longer.
Hail
Hail can dent metal panels, often cosmetically, without causing leaks. On shingles, hail bruises the mat and knocks off granules, which shortens the roof's life. Some insurance policies exclude cosmetic damage to metal, so check your policy if hail is common where you live, as it is in central Louisiana.
Noise
A metal roof on a house is not like a tin barn roof. On homes, we install metal over solid decking with underlayment, which keeps rain noise close to what you would hear under shingles.
Maintenance
Shingles need occasional checks of pipe boots, flashing and ridge. Exposed-fastener metal needs the screws and rubber washers checked over time, because they can loosen and wear out. Standing seam has no exposed screws, so it needs the least upkeep.
When shingles are the better fit
- You want the lowest upfront cost
- You may sell in the next several years
- Your neighborhood is all shingle and you want the house to match
When metal is the better fit
- You plan to stay in the house long term
- You want the fewest re-roofs over the life of the house
- It is a shop, barn or carport, where exposed-fastener panel is hard to beat
The bottom line
If you are on the fence, we will price both on the same visit and give you an honest opinion about which one fits your house.
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