Metal Roof or Asphalt Shingles? How to Choose for an Ontario Home

A metal roof costs more up front than asphalt shingles, but it usually lasts longer, sheds snow faster and needs less upkeep. Shingles cost less, are easier to repair and suit most Ontario homes. Choose metal if you plan to stay a long time and can afford the premium. Choose shingles if the budget is tight or you may sell soon.

Metal roof vs asphalt shingles at a glance

Both materials keep the weather out when they are installed well. The real differences are price, lifespan and how each one handles snow and repairs.

What each roof costs and why metal is higher

Metal costs more than asphalt in almost every comparison. The panels cost more than shingles. Trim pieces at the eaves, rakes, ridge, hips and valleys add to the material list. Installation takes precise measuring and specialist skill. Roof shape also pushes the price: a roof with many valleys, dormers and hips needs more cutting and more flashing, and that costs more with metal than with shingles.

Shingles are cheaper on day one, but a shingle roof is replaced sooner. Each replacement means tear-off, disposal, new underlayment and new shingles. A fair comparison looks at the years you will own the house, not only the first invoice. If you may sell within a few years, you might never earn back the metal premium. If you plan to stay for decades, a roof you replace once instead of twice can come out ahead.

This page publishes no prices, because the number depends on your roof's size, pitch, shape, deck condition and the metal profile you pick. Ask for written quotes for both materials on the same scope, including tear-off, deck repairs, flashing and ventilation. The roofing cost guide lists the factors to line up.

How long each roof lasts in Ontario

Asphalt shingles age through freeze-thaw cycles, summer sun and wind. Watch for curling or cupped shingles, bald spots where the granules are gone and tabs lifted or missing after a storm. Strong west winds across open farm country test how well shingles are sealed. Poor attic ventilation shortens shingle life, so a roof can wear out early even when the shingles themselves were fine.

The metal itself does not rot or curl, so what ages on a metal roof is the coating, the sealants and the fasteners. Finishes can chalk or fade over time. Exposed-fastener steel panels are held with screws and washers that wear and need checking. Standing seam panels hide the fasteners and use clips that let the metal expand and contract. Either way, a metal roof still deserves a look every year or two.

Do not rely on a general lifespan number from a website. Ask for the written warranty on the panel finish, the written warranty on the panels and the installer's workmanship warranty, and compare the terms. The roofing warranty guide explains what to look for.

Snow, ice dams and winter performance

Metal sheds snow well. In a region of heavy wet snow that is a real benefit, because the load clears itself. The catch is that the snow can slide off in one piece onto walkways, steps, doors, a driveway or the eavestrough below. Snow guards hold the snow on the roof and release it gradually, and they are worth planning over entries and walkways. A 6-inch K-style eavestrough carries more water and suits metal roofs, but sliding snow can still damage an eavestrough that is not strongly hung. See the roofing in Ontario winters guide for more on snow loads.

Neither material prevents ice dams. Natural Resources Canada explains that ice dams form when heat from the house warms the roof and melts the snow, which then refreezes at the cold edge. A metal roof over a leaky, under-insulated attic can still grow ice at the eaves. The cure is air sealing, insulation and balanced ventilation, with a self-adhering ice and water membrane along the eaves and in the valleys as a back-up. That membrane is part of a good shingle roof and a good metal roof alike.

Noise, weight, hail and repair trade-offs

Noise. People expect rain to drum on a metal roof. Over a solid deck with underlayment, the difference is smaller than many expect. Open framing with no deck, as in a barn, is much louder.

Weight. Metal panels are generally lighter than a shingle roof, so structural upgrades are rarely needed for the roof itself.

Dents and scratches. Thin metal can dent from hail or a falling branch, and a scratched coating can show. Ask about the thickness and the finish before you choose a panel.

Repairs. A shingle roof is repaired a few shingles at a time. A damaged metal panel may need replacing along its full length, and a colour made years ago can be hard to match.

Footing. Metal is slippery when wet or frosted, so leave any roof work to a trained crew.

Metal roof vs shingles for insurance and resale

Roof type is one of the facts an insurer asks about when it rates your home, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and insurers generally prefer roofs that are updated within 20 years. A new roof of either material helps. Whether metal changes your premium depends on the insurer, so call your broker before you decide and ask for the answer in writing. Do not assume a discount, and tell your insurer once the new roof is on.

For resale, a new roof of either material is a visible plus. Metal can add strong curb appeal on farmhouse and modern styles. Most buyers and home inspectors look at condition, age and paperwork first. Keep the invoice, the warranty documents and photos of the work so the next owner can see what was done.

Should I do metal roof or shingles? Choose by these rules

Choose metal if:

• You plan to stay in the house for a long time.
• You want a low-maintenance roof that sheds snow.
• The roof is a simple shape with long, clear runs.
• You can fund the higher upfront price.

Choose shingles if:

• You may sell within a few years.
• The budget is tight.
• The roof has many valleys, dormers or hips.
• You want easy repairs and a familiar look.

Either way, the work under the surface decides how the roof performs. Plan a full tear-off where you can, so the deck can be inspected, new ice and water membrane at the eaves and valleys, proper flashing at walls and chimneys, and balanced ventilation. Soft or rotted sheathing should be replaced before any new roofing goes on. The soffit ventilation guide shows how intake and exhaust work together.

D&D Exterior Finishing installs asphalt shingles and metal roofing, including standing seam and corrugated steel, and every roofing replacement starts with a free written estimate that lists the scope, materials, colours and warranty terms.

Metal roof vs shingles questions homeowners ask

Is a metal roof better than shingles?

It depends on your plans. Metal is better for long life, snow shedding and low upkeep. Shingles are better for a lower upfront price, easy repairs and complicated roof shapes. Neither is right for every house, so match the material to your budget, your roof and how long you will keep the home.

Why are metal roofs more expensive than shingles?

The panels cost more, the trim pieces add to the list and installation takes more precise work and specialist skill. Roof shape matters too, since every valley, hip and dormer adds cutting and flashing. A longer expected life spreads that cost over more years, but the bill still arrives up front.

Do metal roofs cause or prevent ice dams?

Neither. Ice dams come from heat escaping into the attic and melting snow that then refreezes at the cold eaves. A metal roof sheds snow quickly, but an under-insulated or poorly ventilated attic can still form ice. Air sealing, insulation and balanced ventilation are the fix on any roof.

Does a metal roof lower home insurance?

Possibly, but it depends on the insurer. Companies ask about roof type and age when they rate a home, and a new roof of either material usually helps. Call your broker before you decide, ask whether the material changes your premium and get the answer in writing.

Should I do metal roof or shingles if I plan to sell soon?

Shingles are usually the better fit if you plan to sell within a few years, because you are unlikely to recover the metal premium. A fresh shingle roof still reassures buyers. If your house style suits metal and local buyers like it, get an opinion from a local realtor first.

Devon Moore, Operations Lead Co-Founder & Operations Lead — D&D Exterior Finishing

Devon Moore is the co-founder and Operations Lead at D&D Exterior Finishing, specializing in siding, roofing, windows, and exterior renovations across Waterloo Region.