For decades, asphalt shingles have dominated the roofing market, due in part to their affordability, widespread availability, and familiarity among both contractors and homeowners. But this longstanding preference is shifting. Across the country, and especially in regions that frequently experience extreme weather events, more contractors are steering homeowners toward standing seam metal roofing systems as a smarter long-term investment.
So, what’s driving this change?
It starts with performance. Asphalt shingles may advertise lifespans of up to 30 years, but real-world conditions often tell a different story. Exposure to high heat and humidity, heavy rain events, and strong winds can significantly accelerate their deterioration. In storm-prone regions, Gulf Coast states in particular, shingle roofs are typically hit hard during hurricane season – leading to frequent repairs or full replacements much sooner than expected. Contractors like Randy Garand, owner of PRG Roofing & Construction, have seen this play out firsthand.
In contrast, a standing seam metal roofing system paired with the right underlayment is going to provide premium protection when exposed to tough weather conditions. Select systems are designed to withstand wind speeds up to 120 mph and are certified to wind resistance testing standards, including UL 580 Wind Uplift, TAS 125 Wind Uplift, UL 1897 Extended Phase Wind Uplift, ASTM E1592 Uniform Static Pressure Uplift, and ASTM E1680 Air Infiltration. Additionally, metal roofing provides reliable wet-weather performance and is certified to ASTM E1646 Water Infiltration standards and can achieve the TAS 100 Wind-Driven Rain designation. Further, metal roof systems rank highest with a class four rating when certified to UL 2218, which tests their impact resistance and ensures maximum protection from wind-borne debris during hurricanes and severe storms.
The difference between asphalt shingle and metal roofing performance shows up clearly after headline-making weather events. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted a post-storm analysis after Hurricane Ian and found that 90% of asphalt shingle roofs older than seven years showed visible damage, compared to just 21% of metal panel roofs. These findings highlight that asphalt shingles just can’t keep up with the extreme weather events in many parts of the country today.
Insurance pressures are also playing a growing role in the shift from asphalt to metal. In some markets, insurers are tightening restrictions on asphalt shingle roofs, shortening coverage windows, or increasing premiums due to their perceived vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, standing seam metal roofs are often viewed more favorably by insurance companies because they are engineered to provide reliable weather protection. For homeowners, this level of dependability translates into extended insurance coverage and even reduced premiums.
This is one of the key reasons that a Florida homeowner and his contractor, Jeremy Wood of GMR Metal Roofs, asked their local planning and historical preservation board for permission to install metal roofing over traditional asphalt shingles during a roof replacement. “Asphalt shingles have no real wind resistance and that made it nearly impossible for the homeowner to secure insurance coverage on his historic home,” Wood explained. Even if coverage were obtained, the homeowner would have faced the burden of replacing his roof every decade or so. He told the board that this costly and unsustainable cycle would force him to sell his home. A standing seam metal roof from Drexel Metals offered a smarter path forward for homeownership. “With metal roofing, you can get insurance coverage for 25 to 30 years, reduce premiums, and actually protect the historical home,” Wood said.
Not only do insurance providers see the value and durability of metal, but manufacturers like Drexel Metals stand behind it with industry-leading warranties. Drexel Metals’ products are backed by non-prorated paint and substrate warranties for up to 35 years. These warranties can also include replacement labor costs and are fully transferable from one homeowner to the next, helping protect the roof’s value over time and even enhancing resale value.
By comparison, asphalt shingle warranties are often heavily prorated, with full replacement coverage typically limited to the first five to ten years. After that, coverage declines significantly, leaving homeowners responsible for a larger share of costs. For contractors, this contrast reinforces the long-term value of metal roofing and provides a clearer, more compelling case when guiding homeowners toward more durable solutions.
Then there’s the evolving cost conversation. While asphalt shingles typically have a lower upfront cost, their shorter-than-advertised lifespan and demanding maintenance needs can make them a very expensive choice over time.
Standing seam metal roofs are engineered to last two to three times longer than asphalt shingles. With such a long service life, a durable standing seam metal roof can help homeowners avoid the cycle of frequent roof replacement. That’s why many contractors are finding success when they change the narrative to discuss the long-term value and performance benefits of a metal roof versus focusing on the upfront cost. They will also add that the resilient nature of a metal roofing system directly translates to less roof maintenance over the course of its service life, which means lower associated repair costs. For many contractors, long-term value is becoming a top selling point that resonates with homeowners.
Ultimately, these various factors are reshaping contractor recommendations. What was once considered a premium roofing material is increasingly viewed as a practical, future-focused solution. As weather events intensify and homeowners prioritize durability and long-term value, it’s no surprise that more contractors are making the switch to metal roofing and bringing their customers with them.
