Metal roof vs asphalt shingles for NJ homes
Quick Comparison: Metal vs. Asphalt at a Glance
A metal roof is better than shingles for homeowners who plan to stay 25 years or more, and asphalt shingles are better for homeowners who need the lowest upfront cost or plan to sell within 15 years. Neither material wins on every measure. Metal wins on service life, weight, and recyclability. Asphalt wins on upfront cost, installer availability, and resale value recouped.
The table compares architectural asphalt shingles with standing seam metal across eight factors. Cost figures are 2025 national averages from the Remodeling Cost vs. Value report, which prices a defined replacement project. They are not New Jersey quotes.
Factor | Architectural Asphalt Shingles | Standing Seam Metal |
Average job cost (national, 2025) | $31,871 | $51,865 |
Resale value recouped (national, 2025) | 68% ($21,501) | 50% ($25,972) |
Typical service life (HUD) | 15 to 30 years (composition shingle) | 20 to 50+ years (standing seam) |
Weight (manufacturer figure) | Up to 4.3 lbs per sq ft (430 lbs per square) | Up to 1.6 lbs per sq ft (160 lbs per square) |
Wind testing | ASTM D3161 Class A, D, F; ASTM D7158 Class D, G, H | Tested to separate metal-panel standards; request the product's report |
Fire exposure rating | Class A available | Class A available |
Hail testing | UL 2218 Class 1 to 4 available | Resists punctures; dents are possible |
Recyclability | Reclaimed shingles go mostly into paving mixes | Steel and aluminum are recyclable |
Sources: Remodeling Cost vs. Value 2025; HUD Durability by Design (2nd ed., 2015), Table 4-2; DECRA for weights; Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association for recycling.
What You Need to Know About Metal Roofs
Is a metal roof better than shingles? A metal roof lasts longer and weighs less, and it costs about 1.6 times as much as an asphalt shingle roof up front. The answer for a Bergen County or Passaic County home depends on three variables: how many years you will own the home, how much you can spend today, and what your house, your homeowners association (HOA), and your insurance policy allow.
This guide covers the main parts of the decision in order: what metal roofing is, what asphalt shingles are, what each costs, how long each lasts, how each performs in wind, why metal offers long-term value, which design options exist, which roof type fits which home, what New Jersey permit and code rules apply, how roof rejuvenation extends asphalt shingle life, and answers to five common questions.
What is metal roofing?
Metal roofing is a roof covering made of steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc panels that fasten to the roof deck. Homes in New Jersey use two panel systems.
Concealed-fastener standing seam panels interlock along raised seams, and clips hold the panels to the deck without fasteners passing through the panel face. Standing seam is the standard residential metal system.
Exposed-fastener metal panels are ribbed or corrugated sheets that screws pass through. Exposed-fastener panels cost less and need periodic fastener and washer maintenance.
Steel panels carry a zinc-aluminum alloy coating (Galvalume-coated steel) or a galvanized coating. Aluminum panels resist corrosion in salt air. A paint system covers the panel: polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) finishes, sold under the Kynar 500 name, and polyester finishes are the two common types. Ask the manufacturer for the paint warranty terms in writing, since the paint system sets how long the color holds.
Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs
Metal roofs have seven main advantages and six main drawbacks for New Jersey homeowners.
Pros
Lifespan: HUD lists standing seam metal at 20 to 50+ years, against 15 to 30 years for composition shingles.
Weight: Metal roofing weighs up to 1.6 lbs per square foot, and asphalt shingles weigh up to 4.3 lbs per square foot (DECRA figures).
Fire rating: Class A assemblies are available.
Snow shedding: Smooth panels release snow, which cuts the load on the roof after a nor'easter.
Recyclability: Steel and aluminum panels are recyclable at the end of service life.
Solar reflectance: Reflective coatings lower roof surface temperatures.
Design range: Metal panels come in profiles that resemble shakes, shingles, and tiles.
Cons
Upfront cost: The 2025 national average for a metal replacement is $51,865, against $31,871 for asphalt shingles.
Installer pool: Standing seam installation takes specialized skills and tooling, so fewer contractors bid on it.
Resale recoup: Metal recoups 50% of its cost at resale, against 68% for asphalt.
Dents: Hail and falling branches can dent thin panels, and some policies exclude cosmetic damage to metal.
Oil canning: Wide flat panels can show visible waviness. Oil canning is cosmetic, not structural.
Snow management: Snow slides off in sheets, so snow guards belong above doors, walkways, and lower roof sections.
Ideal Use Cases for Metal Roofs
Metal roofing fits five situations best:
Owners who plan to stay in the home for 25 years or more.
Homes where the architecture suits the look, such as modern builds, farmhouses, and homes with simple gable or low-slope sections.
Houses with older framing, where a lighter covering reduces dead load.
Waterfront or salt-air locations, where aluminum panels resist corrosion.
Owners who want to avoid a second roof replacement in their lifetime.
Overview of Asphalt Shingles
What are asphalt shingles?
Asphalt shingles are roof coverings made of a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and topped with mineral granules. The granule layer protects the asphalt from ultraviolet (UV) light and gives the shingle its color. Asphalt shingles covered more than 80% of the U.S. high-slope roofing market by product area in 2012, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL-2001007, 2016).
Three shingle types exist:
3-tab shingles are flat, single-layer shingles with the lowest price and the shortest life.
Architectural asphalt shingles (called dimensional or laminated shingles in the trade) bond two layers together for a thicker profile and a longer life.
Impact-resistant shingles carry a Class 1 to 4 rating under UL 2218, and Class 4 is the highest.
Pros and Cons of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles have five main advantages and five main drawbacks.
Pros
Upfront cost: The 2025 national average replacement is $31,871, the lowest of any major material in the Cost vs. Value report.
Resale recoup: Asphalt recoups 68% of its cost at resale.
Installer pool: Most roofing contractors install asphalt shingles, so competitive bids are easy to collect.
Repairability: A damaged section is a small repair, not a panel replacement.
Appearance: Architectural shingles match the colonials, capes, splits, and ranches common across Bergen County and Passaic County.
Cons
Lifespan: HUD lists composition shingles at 15 to 30 years, the shortest range of the major materials.
Granule loss: Granules wash off over time, the roof looks worn before it fails, and the exposed asphalt ages faster.
Weight: Asphalt shingles weigh up to 4.3 lbs per square foot.
Moisture growth: Algae streaking and moss appear on shaded, damp slopes.
Recycling: Most tear-off ends in landfills, and recycled shingles go mainly into paving mixes.
Ideal Use Cases for Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles fit five situations best:
Owners with a tight budget today.
Owners who plan to sell within 15 years.
Homes in a historic district or an HOA with approved shingle profiles.
Houses with complex rooflines, many valleys, dormers, and penetrations, where shingles adapt more easily.
Owners who want the widest choice of local contractors.
Cost: What Homeowners Actually Pay
Asphalt shingles cost less than metal in every national dataset, and the gap is about $20,000 in the 2025 Cost vs. Value report. The report prices a defined project on a standard home, so treat its figures as a comparison between materials, not as a quote for your house. Your roof area, pitch, number of valleys and penetrations, and the number of existing layers all change the price. A written estimate from a licensed New Jersey contractor is the only number that applies to your home. For a broader look at local pricing, read our guide to roof replacement cost in New Jersey.
Asphalt Shingles
The Remodeling Cost vs. Value 2025 report lists the national average asphalt shingle roof replacement at $31,871, with a resale value of $21,501. That is 68% of the cost recouped. Compared with the metal figure, asphalt costs $19,994 less.
A complete asphalt shingle roof replacement includes tear-off of the existing layer, roof deck inspection and repair, underlayment, drip edge, flashing, ventilation, and the shingles. Ask each contractor to list these items separately, so you can compare estimates line by line.
Metal Roofing
The same report lists the national average metal roof replacement at $51,865, with a resale value of $25,972. That is 50% of the cost recouped. Metal costs about 1.6 times as much as asphalt, and it returns $4,471 more at resale in dollars while returning a smaller share of what you spend.
Three factors raise the metal price. Panels cost more per square than shingles. Standing seam installation takes more skilled labor and more time on site. Trim details, such as ridge caps, valley flashing, and snow guards, require custom fabrication.
Cost per year of service. The cost per year of service narrows the gap. Dividing the national averages by the HUD service-life ranges gives these illustrative results:
Material | Average job cost | HUD service life | Cost per year |
Asphalt shingles | $31,871 | 15 to 30 years | $1,062 to $2,125 |
Standing seam metal | $51,865 | 20 to 50+ years | $1,037 to $2,593 |
The ranges overlap. Metal wins on cost per year only at the high end of its service life, so the claim that metal always pays for itself holds only when the roof lasts 35 years or more and the owner stays that long.
The Insurance Angle
Insurance affects the roof decision in three ways: discounts, exclusions, and claim payouts.
Discounts. State Farm states that homeowners might qualify for a discount when upgrading to impact-resistant roofing, and that the reduction depends on the state of residence. A search of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2023 state mitigation program list and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) consumer guide found no state-mandated roof discount in New Jersey. Ask your agent which roof types qualify, and get the answer in writing before you buy.
Exclusions. State Farm notes that a policy may exclude certain damage to metal roof products. Cosmetic damage exclusions can remove coverage for hail dents that do not affect function. Read the declarations page for a cosmetic damage exclusion before you choose metal.
Payouts. An actual cash value (ACV) policy subtracts depreciation from a claim, and a replacement cost value (RCV) policy does not. A longer-lived roof loses less value to depreciation in the early years.
Lifespan: How Long Each Lasts
Standing seam metal lasts longer than asphalt shingles. HUD's Durability by Design (2nd ed., October 2015, Table 4-2) lists composition shingles at 15 to 30 years and standing seam metal at 20 to 50+ years. HUD states its methodology: industry data plus a 2007 NAHB and Bank of America study. HUD does not separate architectural shingles from 3-tab shingles, so no authoritative source supports the common claim that architectural shingles last 30 to 50 years.
Six factors set the real lifespan of either roof in Bergen County and Passaic County:
Installation quality. Fastener placement, flashing detail, and underlayment choice decide whether a roof reaches the top of its range.
Attic ventilation. A ridge vent and balanced intake ventilation keep the deck cooler in summer and drier in winter.
Freeze-thaw cycles. Water that enters a gap, freezes, and expands widens the gap. Metal panels and asphalt shingles both depend on sound flashing at chimneys, valleys, and walls.
Nor'easters. Sustained wind and wind-driven rain test every edge, ridge, and penetration.
Paint system on metal. A failing coating shortens the useful life of a steel panel before the metal itself fails.
Maintenance. Roof maintenance that clears debris from valleys and gutters and repairs flashing after storms protects both materials.
Wind Performance
Both materials resist wind when a qualified crew installs them to the manufacturer's instructions. The two materials use different test standards, so the numbers do not compare directly.
Asphalt shingles are tested under ASTM D3161 (fan-induced wind) at Class A (60 mph), Class D (90 mph), and Class F (110 mph), and under ASTM D7158 (uplift) at Class D (up to 116 mph), Class G (up to 155 mph), and Class H (up to 194 mph), per the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (March 2026). A shingle's rating applies only when the installer follows the manufacturer's fastening pattern, which often means six nails per shingle for the higher wind warranties.
Metal panels are tested under separate uplift standards, and the result depends on the panel profile, clip spacing, deck type, and fastener. A single "mph rating" for all metal roofing does not exist. Request the test report or product approval for the exact panel and attachment system.
For a nor'easter with gusts of 50 to 80 mph, a properly installed roof of either material holds. For hurricane-remnant events like Sandy and Ida, edge and ridge details matter more than the field of the roof. Ask the contractor how the eaves, rakes, and ridge will be fastened and flashed. After a storm, read how to respond to urgent roof repairs.
Why Metal Roofs Offer the Best Value on the Market
Metal roofs offer the best value for owners who stay long enough to use the full service life. The value comes from five sources: a service life of 20 to 50+ years, low dead load, recyclability, a lower chance of a second tear-off, and reflective coatings that cut roof surface heat. The Cost vs. Value data shows the other side: metal recoups 50% of its cost at resale, so the value accrues to the person who lives under the roof, not to the next buyer.
Three features of metal roofing draw the most questions from homeowners.
Zero Impact on Strong Reception
A metal-roofing manufacturer states that its lightweight roofing has no shielding or blocking properties that affect phone signals (Metal Roof Nation). Independent testing of signal strength under residential metal roofs did not turn up in our research. Metal is conductive and reflects radio waves, so the claim applies most cleanly to cell signals that reach a home through windows and walls. If you rely on an attic-mounted antenna, a weak-signal location, or a roof-mounted antenna, test your signal before installation and ask the contractor about mounting an antenna above the roof line.
Virtually Silent in Rain and Hail
A metal roof over solid decking, underlayment, and insulation sounds about as quiet as any other roof. Noise comes from bare metal over open framing, not from a complete residential roof assembly. A manufacturer blog (S-5!, October 2024) reports about 46 dB for rain on asphalt shingles and about 52 dB for rain on metal, and states that people notice sound differences at about 8 dB. The article cites no test method, and the manufacturer has a commercial interest in the conclusion, so treat the figures as a rough guide.
Five details control noise on a metal roof:
Solid roof decking under the panels.
Underlayment between the deck and the panels.
Fiberglass or cellulose attic insulation, which absorbs sound well.
Panel thickness, since thicker metal dampens sound better than thin metal.
Roof pitch, since steeper roofs soften the impact of falling rain.
Older homes in Bergen County and Passaic County, with open attics and thin insulation, benefit from added attic insulation when the owner chooses metal.
Significantly Reduces Energy Bills
Metal roofing lowers roof surface temperature when the coating reflects sunlight, and the energy savings depend on the coating, the insulation, and the climate. No New Jersey-specific savings percentage for metal roofing is supported by independent research, so no percentage appears here.
The evidence that does exist covers cool roofs in general:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that cool roofs lower maximum indoor temperatures by 1.2 to 3.3 °C (2.2 to 5.9 °F) in non-air-conditioned homes, and cut peak cooling demand by 11 to 27% in air-conditioned homes (citing Synnefa et al., 2007).
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that a conventional roof can reach 150 °F or more on a sunny summer afternoon, and a reflective roof can stay more than 50 °F (28 °C) cooler.
The DOE states that unpainted metal is a good solar reflector but a poor thermal emitter, so a factory-painted finish performs better.
The EPA and DOE both state that cool roofs carry a winter heating penalty in cold climates. Good attic insulation and long snow cover shrink the penalty.
Three actions lower energy bills more reliably than the roof covering alone: add attic insulation, seal attic air leaks, and ventilate the attic with attic vents. Choose a light-colored or cool-pigment coating if cooling cost is the goal, and look for the Cool Roof Rating Council label on the product.
Unlimited Design Options
Metal roofing comes in a wide range of profiles and colors, and some profiles mimic traditional materials. The range is not unlimited, since each manufacturer offers a fixed set of panels, but three profile families give homeowners the look of wood, asphalt, and clay without the matching maintenance. Check with your HOA or historic commission before you select a material, since some districts approve only specific roof appearances.
Shakes
Metal shake panels reproduce the textured, irregular look of cedar shakes. Wood shakes carry a dead load of about 15 psf, per the HUD Residential Structural Design Guide (Table 3.2), and metal shake panels weigh a fraction of that. Homeowners who like the cedar look choose metal shake panels to avoid the moss, rot, and fire concerns that come with wood.
Shingles
Metal shingle panels reproduce the look of architectural asphalt shingles or slate in lighter, longer-lasting panels. Slate weighs 9.35 psf at 1/4 inch and 18.70 psf at 1/2 inch (National Slate Association), so a metal panel that mimics slate removes a heavy framing requirement.
Tiles
Metal tile panels reproduce the barrel profile of clay or concrete tile. Light-weight tile weighs about 21 psf and conventional clay or concrete tile about 27 psf (HUD Residential Structural Design Guide, Table 3.2), against up to 1.6 psf for metal roofing (DECRA). Homes with Mediterranean or Spanish-revival styling use metal tile panels without upgrading the framing.
Which Roof Type Fits Your Home?
Choose by answering four questions: how long you will own the home, how much you can spend today, what your house looks like, and what your HOA, historic district, and insurance policy allow.
Choose architectural asphalt shingles when:
Budget today is the controlling factor.
You plan to sell within 15 years.
Your home is a colonial, cape, split, or ranch where shingles match the style.
Your roof has many valleys, dormers, and penetrations.
Your HOA or historic commission approves only shingle profiles.
Choose standing seam metal when:
You plan to stay 25 years or more.
The architecture supports the look.
You want to avoid another tear-off.
The framing is older and a lighter covering helps.
You live near salt air and can use aluminum panels.
You have confirmed your insurance terms, including any cosmetic damage exclusion.
If your current roof leaks, curls, or sheds granules, read the 10 signs you need a new roof in NJ before you decide. For covering options beyond these two, see roof materials for New Jersey homes.
Flat and low-slope sections, such as porch roofs and rear additions, use different flat roof materials (membrane roofing) from either steep-slope option, and they need their own estimate.
NJ Permit & Code Note
New Jersey does not require a permit to re-roof a detached one- or two-family dwelling. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Construction Code Communicator lists "roof covering (repair or replacement) on detached one- and two-family dwellings" as ordinary maintenance that needs no permit application or inspection (Spring 2018 and Fall 2019 issues; underlying rule N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). Four qualifiers apply:
Accessory buildings, such as detached garages and sheds, fall under the same exemption.
Townhouses and condominiums need a permit.
Replacing roof sheathing needs a permit, even on a detached house.
Work that affects structural or fire safety needs a permit under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7(b)4.
The exemption does not override historic-district review, zoning rules, or HOA rules, and it applies to the material change from asphalt to metal in the same way as to a like-for-like replacement. Confirm the requirement with your municipal construction office before you sign a contract.
New Jersey enforces the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) through N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.21(a)(1). Under 2021 IRC R908.3.1.1, a roof cannot be re-covered when it already has two or more applications of any type of roof covering, and R908.3 requires removal down to the deck in those cases. Since no permit is required, no inspector checks the layer count, so ask the contractor to state the layer count in writing.
Both asphalt shingle and metal assemblies are available with a Class A fire rating under ASTM E108. The Class A, B, and C ratings describe severe, moderate, and light fire exposure, not burn-through time. Ask for the Class A listing of the full assembly, not the covering alone.
Extending the Life of Asphalt Shingles with Roof Maxx
Roof Maxx is a spray-applied roof treatment that its manufacturer says restores oils to aging asphalt shingles. The manufacturer states that the treatment keeps shingles flexible, helps them hold their protective granules, and extends roof life by five years per treatment, up to 15 years with repeated treatments every five years. It states a five-year transferable warranty. Those are manufacturer claims, and independent peer-reviewed testing did not turn up in our research, so treat the claims as the manufacturer's position.
The manufacturer states three limits. A tune-up that repairs loose shingles, reseals flashings, and addresses nail pops comes before the treatment. Roof Maxx may not suit a roof with repeated problems that point to poor installation. The manufacturer suggests replacement when 30% or more of the protective granules are gone. Ask any contractor whether they apply the product and under what warranty terms, since not every roofing company offers it.
How Roof Maxx Makes Asphalt Shingle Roofs More Cost-Effective
A rejuvenation treatment makes an asphalt roof more cost-effective when it delays a replacement of the roof at a lower cost than the replacement itself. The comparison has three parts:
Treatment cost versus replacement cost. Collect written quotes for both. The 2025 national average for an asphalt shingle replacement is $31,871.
Years gained. The manufacturer's claim is five years per treatment. At the national replacement average, a five-year delay is worth about $6,374 per year of deferred replacement cost, before inflation.
Roof condition. A roof with intact shingles, sound flashing, and 70% or more of its granules fits the manufacturer's stated limits. A roof with leaks, curling, or widespread granule loss needs replacement.
Rejuvenation changes the metal-versus-asphalt comparison for owners who plan to sell soon. A homeowner with a sound 15-year-old asphalt roof and a 10-year ownership horizon can compare a treatment against a full metal replacement with real numbers, instead of assuming the roof must be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install a metal roof over existing asphalt shingles?
Sometimes, and many installers recommend tear-off first. A re-cover over one layer of asphalt shingles can be allowed when the panel manufacturer's instructions permit it, the deck is sound, and the roof does not already carry two or more layers (2021 IRC R908.3.1.1). A tear-off lets the contractor inspect the deck, replace damaged sheathing, and install new underlayment and flashing. Insurance companies can treat an overlay differently from a tear-off, so tell your agent before the work.
Which roof type adds more resale value?
Metal adds more dollars, and asphalt returns a higher share of its cost. The 2025 Cost vs. Value report lists $25,972 of resale value for a metal replacement and $21,501 for an asphalt replacement, which is 50% and 68% of cost recouped. A metal roof raises the sale price by $4,471 more, and it costs $19,994 more to install.
Will metal or asphalt perform better in my climate?
Both materials perform in the freeze-thaw cycles, nor'easters, and humid summers of Bergen County and Passaic County when a qualified crew installs them well. Metal sheds snow faster and weighs less. Asphalt shingles cost less to repair after a storm. Installation quality, flashing, and attic ventilation matter more than the covering choice.
How do I know whether to replace or rejuvenate my asphalt roof?
Replace the roof when it leaks, when shingles curl or crack, or when the granule layer is largely gone. Consider rejuvenation when the shingles are intact, flexible, and still hold most of their granules. A professional roof inspection that covers the shingles, flashing, and attic decides which case applies. The Roof Maxx manufacturer suggests replacement when 30% or more of the granules are gone.
Can asphalt shingles be recycled?
Yes, asphalt shingles can be recycled, and most recycled shingles go into paving mixes. The National Asphalt Pavement Association survey reports 797,000 tons of reclaimed asphalt shingles used in new asphalt pavement mixes in the United States in 2023. Availability depends on whether a processor near you accepts tear-off, so ask the contractor where the shingles go.
Ready to Compare Real Numbers on Your Home?
Is a metal roof better than shingles for your house? A metal roof is better for a long-term owner whose home suits the look, and asphalt shingles are better for a lower upfront cost and a shorter ownership horizon. The numbers that decide it are the written estimates for your roof, your insurance terms, and your plans for the home.
NJ Gold Star Construction is a family-owned, licensed (NJ HIC #13VH13359900) and insured construction company in Totowa, New Jersey, serving Bergen County, Passaic County, and surrounding North Jersey (areas we serve) for more than 25 years. The company provides roof repair, roof replacement, maintenance, attic vent work, and storm and emergency roofing work, plus siding, gutter, chimney, masonry, and deck services. Call (862) 271-1225 or use the contact page to discuss your roof.
Know Before You Spend a Dollar on Your Roof
Eight checks protect your budget before you sign a roofing contract. For a longer list, read our guide on how to choose roofing contractors in New Jersey.
Get at least two written estimates that list tear-off, decking repair, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, and the covering as separate lines.
Ask each contractor for the NJ Home Improvement Contractor registration number, and verify it.
Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
Ask for the layer count of your existing roof in writing.
Ask your insurance agent whether the roof type changes your premium, your deductible, or your coverage, and get the answer in writing.
Ask for the manufacturer's warranty for the exact product, including the paint warranty on metal panels.
Check your HOA and municipal construction office for material and permit rules.
Ask how the contractor handles the eaves, rakes, ridge, and flashing for wind.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Contact NJ Gold Star Construction at (862) 271-1225, through the contact page, or at njgoldstarconstruction@yahoo.com. Local roofing pages cover Ridgewood, Wyckoff, and Hackensack, among other towns on the Areas We Serve page. The company is based at 19 Stirling Terrace, Totowa, NJ 07512, and offers 24-hour emergency leak response, seven days a week.
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