Metal Roof Pros and Cons: An Honest List From a Roofer

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Metal Roof?

The main pros of a metal roof are a 40 to 70 year lifespan, strong resistance to wind, snow and hail, very little maintenance, and a reflective, recyclable surface. The main cons are a higher upfront price (about $8 to $16 per square foot installed for standing seam in western Ohio), dents from very large hail, louder rain on a poorly built roof, and snow that slides off all at once without snow guards. Most of the downsides can be handled with the right panel and installation.

By Isaac Smith, Brothers Metal Roofing · Updated November 2026

Pros of a metal roof

Lifespan. Metal roofs can last 40 to 70 years. Asphalt shingles typically last 15 to 25, so one metal roof can outlast two or three shingle roofs.
Weather resistance. Sheds heavy rain and snow and stands up to high winds; no shingles to blow off or lose granules.
Low maintenance. A standing seam roof has no exposed screws to back out.
Energy. Reflective finishes bounce back summer sun, which can lower cooling costs.
Fire. Metal is non-combustible.
Recyclable. Metal roofing often contains recycled steel and is 100% recyclable at end of life. Shingle tear-offs go to the landfill.

Cons, and how each is handled

Con	What is true	How it is handled
Upfront cost	Standing seam costs significantly more than shingles today.	Spread over 40+ years it is often the cheaper roof. Barn panels (TuffRib, PBR) cost only slightly more than shingles. See the cost guide.
Hail dents	Very large hail can dent panels, especially thinner gauges.	Dents rarely leak the way cracked shingles do. Heavier 24-gauge steel resists dents better than 26-gauge.
Rain noise	Metal is slightly louder than asphalt.	Solid decking and underlayment under the panels quiet it. We have yet to get a complaint about the sound.
Snow slide	Snow can release all at once onto gutters, cars or people.	Snow guards hold it in place to melt off gradually.
Expansion	Metal moves with temperature swings.	Standing seam clips and double-lock seams let panels move without stressing fasteners.
Exposed screws	On rib-panel roofs, washers dry out over the years.	Periodic fastener checks, or choose standing seam with hidden fasteners.
Installer skill	Most metal roof leaks start at flashing details.	Hire a crew that does metal every day and puts its warranty in writing.

Resale value

Metal adds value but does not pay for itself at sale. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report estimates a metal roof replacement recoups about 50% of its cost in resale value. The bigger payoff is not re-roofing again. More in does a metal roof increase home value?

Who a metal roof is right for

If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, metal usually makes sense: you pay once instead of every couple of decades. If you are selling in a year or two, the case is weaker, though our warranties transfer once to the next owner, which buyers notice. For barns, shops and outbuildings, exposed-fastener metal is usually the best value there is.

Sources

Zonda / JLC: Cost vs. Value Report 2025, National

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest disadvantage of a metal roof?

The upfront cost. A standing seam roof costs significantly more than asphalt shingles to install, typically $8 to $16 per square foot in western Ohio, though it can last two to three times as long.

Does a metal roof attract lightning?

No. Metal does not make a roof more likely to be struck, and a metal roof is non-combustible if it is.

Is a metal roof loud when it rains?

Metal is slightly louder than asphalt, but with solid decking and underlayment underneath, almost all of our customers end up enjoying the sound of rain on a metal roof.