Metal roof vs shingles in Pittsburgh
Metal roof vs shingles usually comes down to how long you plan to stay. Metal costs more and lasts longer, so the real question is whether you will be in the house long enough for that to pay off. Here is the comparison without the sales pitch, including noise, snow, resale and what each one really costs per year.
Updated
| Architectural shingles | Standing seam metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $5 to $8 per sq ft | $14 to $22 per sq ft |
| Typical house here | $10,000 to $20,000 | $28,000 to $50,000 |
| Life in our climate | 20 to 30 years | 40 to 70 years |
| Upkeep | Low, some repairs | Very low |
| Snow | Holds snow | Sheds it, may need snow guards |
| Repairs | Easy and cheap | Harder and costlier |
| Look | Traditional | Modern, farmhouse, or metal shingle |
The math over time
A $14,000 shingle roof lasting 25 years costs about $560 a year. A $36,000 standing seam roof lasting 50 years costs about $720 a year. So the two are closer than the sticker price suggests, but shingles still come out ahead unless you plan to stay for a very long time or value the low upkeep.
Remember that money has a time value too. The $22,000 you don't spend up front on shingles stays in your pocket. If you would have to borrow to pay for metal, shingles look even better.
Types of metal roofing
We usually recommend hidden-fastener systems on houses. Exposed screws on ribbed barn panels back out over time, and their washers wear, so they need regular upkeep.
| Type | Installed price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standing seam steel | $14 to $20 per sq ft | Whole homes, porches, low slopes |
| Standing seam aluminum | $17 to $24 per sq ft | Long life, no rust |
| Metal shingles | $11 to $17 per sq ft | Older homes, slate or shake look |
| Exposed-fastener panels | $7 to $11 per sq ft | Barns and outbuildings |
| Copper | $30 per sq ft and up | Accent roofs and bay windows |
Metal roofs that look like shingles
If you like the idea of metal but not the look of panels, metal roof shingles are stamped from steel or aluminum to look like slate, shake or dimensional shingles. Steel shingles often carry a stone coating, which gives them a texture much like asphalt. They can suit a traditional Pittsburgh street better than standing seam, though the price is still well above asphalt, and fewer crews install them.
Snow and ice in Pittsburgh
Metal sheds snow well, which is a real benefit on low slopes. The risk is that it all goes at once. Snow sliding off a metal roof can drop onto a porch, a walkway or a neighbor's property, and it can tear off gutters. That is why we use snow guards over doors, driveways and lower roofs.
Metal doesn't cure ice dams on its own, either. If your attic loses heat, you still need the fixes that stop ice dams.
Noise, heat and lightning
These three come up every time. Over a solid deck and underlayment, a metal roof is about as quiet as shingles. It doesn't make a house hotter. In fact, a light finish can reduce summer heat gain, provided the attic is vented. And metal doesn't attract lightning. If a strike happens, it won't catch fire the way some materials can.
Resale value and insurance
Buyers like a metal roof, but they rarely pay back the full premium. It helps most on homes where metal already suits the style. Some insurers offer a discount on metal, but not all, so call your agent before you count on it.
Can you put a metal roof over shingles?
Sometimes, if the code and manufacturer allow it, and if the deck is sound. We prefer to tear off, because a layover hides any rot and can trap moisture. On a roof that may last 50 years, it makes sense to start on a clean deck with high-temperature underlayment.
When shingles win
- You will sell within 15 years
- Your budget needs the lower up-front cost
- The house is a traditional brick home in a street of shingle roofs
- The roof has a lot of valleys and dormers, which make metal costly
When metal wins
- This is your long-term home
- The roof is hard to reach and costly to service
- You have a low-slope porch or addition that keeps leaking
- You want a modern or farmhouse look
- You like the idea of never re-roofing again
A middle path: metal accents
You don't have to choose one for the whole house. Many Pittsburgh homes do well with architectural shingles on the main roof and standing seam over a porch or a bay window. That gives you the look and a long-lasting low-slope roof, at a fraction of the price.
Which shingles to pick
If shingles win, skip 3-tab if you can. Our guide to types of roof shingles covers the main lines from GAF, Owens Corning and others. What matters more than brand is how they are nailed, how the flashing is done and whether the attic is vented. See how we do it on our roof replacement page, or read about metal roofing.
Common questions
Is a metal roof cheaper than shingles?
No. Up front, standing seam usually costs two to three times as much as an architectural shingle roof. Over a very long ownership, the gap gets much smaller.
Is a metal roof better than shingles?
It lasts longer and needs less upkeep, but it costs much more. It is better for a long-term home and less so for a house you will sell soon.
Is a metal roof worth it?
If it is your long-term home, often yes. If you will sell in the next 10 to 15 years, you probably won't get the premium back.
Is a metal roof a good investment?
It can be if you stay for decades. As a pure resale move, it usually doesn't pay for itself.
Does a metal roof increase home value?
It can, but buyers rarely pay back the full premium. It helps most with long-term owners and in neighborhoods where metal is already common.
What is the best roofing material?
For most Pittsburgh homes, architectural asphalt shingles give the best value. Metal and slate last longer but cost a lot more.
How long does a metal roof last vs shingles?
Commonly about 40 to 70 years for standing seam metal, compared with 20 to 30 for architectural shingles.
Is a metal roof loud when it rains?
Not over a solid deck with underlayment. Loud metal roofs are usually on open-framed barns.
Does a metal roof lower insurance on home?
Sometimes. Some insurers offer a discount, especially for impact-rated products. Call your agent before you count on it.
Do metal roofs rust?
Coated steel resists rust for decades, but cut edges and scratches need care. Aluminum doesn't rust.
What is the minimum slope for a metal roof?
Under the building code Pennsylvania uses as of 2026, standing seam can go as low as 1/4 inch per foot. Lapped panels need 3 in 12, or 1/2 in 12 with sealant in the laps, and metal shingles need 3 in 12.
More roofing services
- repairs from our Pittsburgh roofers
- new roofs from our roofers
- help with roof leaks
- emergency roofers
- slate roofers in Pittsburgh
- rowhouse rubber roofs
- metal roofing in Pittsburgh
- small commercial roofs
- seamless gutters in Pittsburgh
- soffit and fascia work
- roof inspection in Pittsburgh
- ice dam removal
- roof ventilation