Metal Roofing Specialists
Metal Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles
A straight comparison of the two roofs most BC homeowners are choosing between: lifespan, energy, snow, and what each one really costs over 40 years.
Side by side
| Factor | Standing seam metal | Asphalt shingle |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 50+ years on a 24GA standing seam system | 15 to 20 years for architectural shingles |
| Energy efficiency | PVDF cool-roof coatings reflect solar gain; vented assemblies cut attic heat | Absorbs heat and radiates it into the attic through the day |
| Snow performance | Smooth panels shed snow fully; ColorGuard 2.0 controls where it lands | Granules hold snow; freeze-thaw shears tabs and drives ice damming |
| Wind and fire | Class A fire rating, high wind uplift on seam-clamped panels | Class A available, but wind ratings drop as the roof ages |
| Maintenance | Rinse and inspect. No granule loss, no patching, no moss mat | Moss treatment, flashing repairs, tab replacement, then full replacement |
| Environmental | 100% recyclable steel, high recycled content, no tear-off every 20 years | Petroleum-based, typically landfilled at the end of each cycle |
| Resale | Recognized as a 50-year asset by appraisers and buyers | Neutral at best; a worn roof is a price reduction |
Long-term cost, 40 years
Illustrative comparison for a 20-square (2,000 sq ft) roof in Metro Vancouver, using $1,850 per square for 24GA standing seam and $575 per square for architectural asphalt replaced every 18 years. Your roof will differ with complexity and access.
| Standing seam metal | Asphalt shingle | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (20 squares) | $37,000 | $11,500 |
| Replacements in 40 years | 1 | 3 |
| Total spend over 40 years | ~$37,000 | ~$38,000 |
| Average cost per year | ~$925 | ~$950 |
| Maintenance visits | Occasional inspection | Every 5-8 years, plus repairs |
| Roofs sent to landfill | None | 2 tear-offs |
The headline is simple: metal costs roughly three times more on day one and, over four decades, ends up within a few percent of repeated asphalt. You pay once instead of three times, live with one construction project instead of three, and put two fewer roofs into the landfill.
Choose metal when
- You plan to stay in the home, or you want the resale value of a lifetime roof
- Your roof is steep, complex or hard to access, where repeat labour is expensive
- You are adding solar and want a non-penetrating seam mount with decades left in the roof
- Snow shedding and ice damming are real problems on your elevation
Choose asphalt when
- The budget is fixed now and the house may be sold within a few years
- The roof is a simple gable and the current structure is in good shape
- You want the lowest possible day-one number for insurance or strata requirements
- You are planning a metal roof later and want a sound deck to come back to