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Metal roof vs shingles: which fits your home?
Choose metal for wind resistance in a hurricane-prone area (FEMA, Hurricane Michael, 2019); asphalt shingle for a Class A fire rating without a noncombustible deck or fire-resistant underlayment.
The right choice depends on how much hurricane wind the roof must face, the design wind speed and wind pressure the roof must meet where you live, the fire rating the whole roof assembly needs, and whether you want a cool-roof version, which EPA lists for both.
| Factor | Metal | Asphalt shingle |
|---|---|---|
| Types the Building America Solution Center names | two broad categories: metal shingles and metal panels | strip (3-tab) and dimensional (architectural/laminate), among others |
| Wind resistance in a hurricane-prone area (FEMA, Hurricane Michael, 2019) | FEMA (2019): "metal roof coverings appeared to perform better than other roof coverings on buildings built to the FBC" | FEMA (2019): widespread poor wind performance of asphalt shingles |
| What FEMA says to check in high-wind areas | FEMA (2019): metal panel roof systems should be tested to meet appropriate wind pressures | FEMA (2019): shingle packages should be labeled to indicate compliance with ASTM D7158 |
| Matching the roof to the wind where you live | FEMA (2019) points to ASTM E1592 testing for metal panel roofs; check the wind pressures your local code requires | FEMA (2019): a shingle classification that corresponds to the required basic (design) wind speed |
| A Class A fire rating without a noncombustible deck or fire-resistant underlayment | BASC: metal roofs usually require a noncombustible roof deck or fire-resistant underlayment for the roof assembly to qualify as Class A | BASC: "Most asphalt shingle roofs have a Class A fire rating and do not require a noncombustible roof deck or fire-resistant underlayment" |
| Class A-rated roof materials BASC lists for wildfire-prone areas | galvanized metal underlaid with gypsum | fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles |
| Cool-roof version EPA lists | metal shingles or tiles, coated with reflective paint or surfaced with reflective granules | asphalt shingles surfaced with light- or cool-colored granules |
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What are the key differences between a standing seam metal roof and architectural shingles?
The Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center describes standing seam panels as site made, attached to the roof with concealed fasteners and highly resistant to wind, while dimensional (architectural/laminate) shingles are one of the asphalt shingle types that many shingle makers rate as Class H or F, the wind classes in its shingle table, across their entire product line.
On fire, the asphalt shingle guide says "Most asphalt shingle roofs have a Class A fire rating and do not require a noncombustible roof deck or fire-resistant underlayment", while the metal roof guide says a metal roof usually needs one of them for the roof assembly to qualify as Class A.
On wind in one storm, FEMA's team (2019) found after Hurricane Michael that "metal roof coverings appeared to perform better than other roof coverings on buildings built to the FBC", though "metal roof damage to some buildings was observed after Hurricane Michael." It also noted widespread poor wind performance of asphalt shingles.
Can you DIY a shingle roof?
The Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center says roofing should be inspected and installed by a professional roofing contractor, in its guide to asphalt shingle roofs.
The same guide says a building permit may be required for a roof replacement, and to ask the local building department.
What is the longest-lasting roof material?
Of the two Department of Energy Building America Solution Center guides compared here, the metal roof guide says "a metal roof can last up to 50 years or more", and the asphalt shingle guide gives no year figure.
The asphalt shingle guide says only that "Lighter-colored asphalt shingles tend to last longer as they absorb less heat than darker shingles and are less likely to be damaged by prolonged heat."
| Priority | Choose |
|---|---|
| wind resistance in a hurricane-prone area (FEMA, Hurricane Michael, 2019) | Metal |
| a Class A fire rating without a noncombustible deck or fire-resistant underlayment | Asphalt shingle |
What does roof replacement cost?
For prices, see How much does it cost to replace a roof?
In Florida: what the code says
… was built, repaired, or replaced in compliance with the requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code, or any subsequent editions of the Florida Building Code …
Florida Legislature, The 2026 Florida Statutes s. 553.844, read 17 October 2026. Section 553.844(5) applies only when an existing roof or roof section meets this condition and the next one together.
… and 25 percent or more of such roofing system or roof section is being repaired, replaced, or recovered …
Florida Legislature, The 2026 Florida Statutes s. 553.844, read 17 October 2026.
… only the repaired, replaced, or recovered portion is required to be constructed in accordance with the Florida Building Code in effect, as applicable.
Florida Legislature, The 2026 Florida Statutes s. 553.844, read 17 October 2026. The same rule applies to a metal roof and a shingle roof.
Local rules differ; check your county and city.
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Sources for the facts on this page
- FEMA Recovery Advisory FL-RA2 (June 2019), copy published by the Florida Building Commission (floridabuilding.org), government, read 17 October 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands, government, read 17 October 2026.
- PNNL Building America Solution Center (DOE), Metal Roofs guide, national laboratory, read 17 October 2026.
- Florida Legislature, The 2026 Florida Statutes s. 553.844, statute or code, read 17 October 2026.
- PNNL Building America Solution Center (DOE), Asphalt Shingle Roofs guide, national laboratory, read 17 October 2026.