How does metal roof cost compare with shingles?
Two very different kinds of metal
Exposed fastener panels are screwed through the face with rubber washered screws. They are the cheaper metal option, but the washers age in the sun and the screws need checking and some replacement over the life of the roof. Standing seam panels are held by hidden clips that let the metal expand and contract through Georgia's hot days and cool nights. That is the system people mean when they talk about a 40 year roof, and it is where the big price gap appears.
Why metal costs more
- The panels and custom trim cost more than shingles.
- Every valley, wall and chimney needs fabricated flashing.
- Fewer crews install standing seam well, so labor is specialized.
How long each lasts in Georgia
Architectural shingles here commonly give about 20 to 25 years, less on a hot, poorly ventilated attic. Standing seam can run several decades if the fasteners and flashings are right. If you plan to sell within 10 years, shingles usually win on cost. If this is the house you plan to stay in, metal can pay back.
Two things people forget
Hail dents metal. Many policies carry a cosmetic damage exclusion that refuses to pay for dents that do not leak, so read your policy before choosing metal for storm resistance (see cosmetic damage exclusions). And a lower price on metal often means exposed fasteners, so make sure two bids describe the same system. Our metal roofing in Georgia guide and the shingle comparison go deeper.