Asphalt vs Metal Roofing

Asphalt and metal are the two dominant residential roofing materials in North Georgia. Asphalt shingles cover roughly 80% of homes in our service area; metal roofs cover most of the rest. The choice between them is rarely about which is "better" in absolute terms — it's about which fits your priorities, budget, and how long you plan to own the home.

Here's an honest, contractor's-perspective comparison.

Quick comparison at a glance

Cost: the most important number

Metal roofs cost about 2-3x what asphalt costs. For a typical 28-square North Georgia home:

• Premium architectural asphalt installed: $14,000-$18,000
• Standing seam metal installed: $30,000-$45,000
• Stone-coated metal shingle installed: $25,000-$38,000

That's an extra $15,000-$25,000 upfront for metal. The pay-back math depends entirely on how long you keep the home:

• If you sell within 10 years: you almost certainly won't recover the metal premium. Buyers value metal, but not at full installed cost.
• If you keep the home 20+ years: the math gets closer. You skip one full asphalt replacement cycle, plus you save on energy and possibly insurance.
• If you keep the home 40+ years (or pass it down): metal is clearly cheaper. You skip 2-3 asphalt replacements over that period.

Most North Georgia homeowners stay in their homes 7-15 years on average. For that profile, asphalt is usually the more cost-effective choice.

Durability: where each material wins

Wind resistance

Both perform well in modern installations. Premium architectural asphalt is rated 130-150 mph. Standing seam metal is rated 140-180+ mph. Both will withstand any wind event short of a tornado that would damage the home regardless of roof material.

Hail resistance

Metal roofs handle hail better than asphalt — full stop. Hail dents are cosmetic only and don't affect waterproofing or structural integrity. On asphalt, hail can knock granules loose, fracture the mat, or split shingles. In a hail-prone region like North Georgia, metal's hail performance is its single biggest advantage.

The trade-off: hail-dented metal looks ugly. Most homeowners don't replace metal after hail because the function is intact, but visible dents on standing seam panels can lower curb appeal. Asphalt damage from hail is typically less visible, but more destructive functionally.

Fire resistance

Metal is non-combustible (Class A fire rated by default). Asphalt achieves Class A only with proper underlayment. In wildfire-prone regions, this matters; in North Georgia, less so.

UV and heat

Both materials degrade in UV light, but at very different rates. Asphalt shingles lose granules and crack over 20-30 years. Metal panels can hold their finish for 40-50+ years if the paint system is high-quality (Kynar 500 finishes are the gold standard).

Energy efficiency: the real numbers

Metal roofs reflect solar heat better than asphalt, especially in light colors. Estimated impact on cooling costs in Georgia summers:

• Light-colored metal vs. dark asphalt: 10-15% cooling cost reduction
• Light-colored metal vs. light asphalt: 5-10% reduction
• Dark metal vs. dark asphalt: 3-5% reduction (minimal)

For a typical $200/month summer cooling bill, this translates to $20-$30/month savings during peak months — about $100-$150/year. Real but not transformative. Over 30 years that's $3,000-$4,500 in saved energy costs, which doesn't come close to covering the premium for metal.

The energy savings argument for metal is often overstated by sales reps. It's a real benefit, but it shouldn't be the primary reason to choose metal over asphalt.

Aesthetics: which fits which home

Architectural asphalt

Looks at home on virtually any architectural style — colonial, ranch, traditional, modern, craftsman. The dimensional pattern and wide color palette adapt to most home designs. This is why 80%+ of homes in North Georgia have asphalt.

Standing seam metal

Looks excellent on modern, farmhouse, and contemporary architecture. Can look out of place on traditional or colonial-style homes. Metal porch roofs over asphalt main roofs are a popular hybrid that gives accent without committing the whole roof.

Stone-coated metal shingles

Designed to mimic asphalt or tile. Higher cost than asphalt, lower aesthetic impact than standing seam. A reasonable middle ground for homeowners who want metal performance with traditional appearance.

Insurance considerations

Some insurance carriers in Georgia offer premium discounts for impact-rated roofs. The discounts are typically 5-15% on the dwelling portion of your premium. Both Class 4 impact-rated asphalt and most metal roofs qualify, but the specific carrier matters — call your agent to verify what discounts apply.

Metal roofs are also less likely to trigger insurance claims after hail events, which means fewer deductibles paid over the life of the roof. In North Georgia, this can be worth $500-$1,500 every 5-10 years.

Resale value impact

Metal roofs sit in an awkward spot on resale. Buyers often appreciate the durability and longevity, but few are willing to pay full premium price for the difference. Industry data suggests metal roof installations recover about 60-65% of installed cost on resale, while quality architectural asphalt recovers about 70-80% (smaller absolute investment, similar or higher percentage recovery).

If maximizing resale ROI is your goal, architectural asphalt usually wins. If you plan to stay in the home long enough to enjoy the metal benefits yourself, the resale calculation is less important.

Maintenance differences

Both materials require similar minor maintenance — keeping gutters clear, inspecting after major storms, checking flashings every few years. Metal additionally requires:

• Periodic inspection of fasteners (screws can back out over decades)
• Sealant maintenance at penetrations
• Touch-up paint if scratches expose the underlying metal

Asphalt requires:

• Replacement of damaged or missing shingles after storms
• Algae cleaning (zinc strips can prevent this)
• Inspection of underlayment when shingles age past 15 years

Neither material is "maintenance-free," despite what some sales pitches claim.

Which makes sense for your home?

Choose asphalt (architectural) if:

• You'll likely move within 5-15 years
• Your budget is tighter or you want to free up capital for other home priorities
• Your home's architectural style is traditional
• You're in an HOA that prefers or requires shingle roofs

Choose metal if:

• You plan to stay in the home 20+ years
• Your home's architecture is modern, farmhouse, or contemporary
• You're in a hail-prone area and tired of insurance claims
• You're prioritizing long-term cost over upfront cost
• You want the lowest-maintenance, longest-lifecycle option

What we install in North Georgia

Bishop JD Roofing primarily installs asphalt architectural shingles — that's about 90% of our work — because that's what fits most North Georgia homes and most homeowner budgets. We do install metal roofs (standing seam and stone-coated metal) for customers who specifically want them, particularly on farmhouse-style new builds and on historic properties getting restored.

Whichever material you choose, the quality of installation matters more than the material choice. A well-installed architectural asphalt roof outperforms a poorly-installed metal roof every time.

Frequently asked questions