Asphalt Shingles vs Metal Roofing in Utah: Complete Comparison Guide

Let's start with the elephant in the room: cost. This is usually what narrows down the decision for most homeowners.

For an average-sized Utah home (roughly 2,000-2,500 square feet of roof), here's what you're typically looking at:

Asphalt Shingles: $8,000 - $15,000 installed. Quality architectural shingles run toward the higher end. Basic 3-tab shingles are on the lower end (but I don't recommend them—more on that later).

Metal Roofing: $18,000 - $30,000 installed. Standing seam is typically more expensive than metal shingles or corrugated panels.

So metal costs roughly 2-3 times as much upfront. That's a significant difference. But here's where it gets interesting when you think long-term.

Quality asphalt shingles last about 25-30 years in Utah. Metal lasts 50+ years. So if you're in a home for 50 years, you'll replace asphalt twice but metal only once (or never).

Let me run the math on a real example. Say asphalt costs $12,000 and metal costs $25,000. Over 50 years: Asphalt = $24,000 (two replacements). Metal = $25,000 (one installation). Pretty close when you look at it that way.

Of course, that math assumes you'll be in the home for 50 years. If you're planning to sell in 10 years, the long-term value of metal doesn't help you much. You're paying the premium now but leaving before you get the payoff.

Here's where Utah's climate really matters. We're not Florida. We're not Arizona. Our roofs deal with a unique combination of challenges.

Snow and Ice: Metal wins this one easily. Snow slides right off a metal roof, preventing dangerous ice dams and snow load issues. Asphalt shingles hold snow until it melts, which can create ice dam problems in older homes with poor attic ventilation. In mountain communities like Park City or Brighton, metal's snow-shedding ability is a major advantage.

Hail: This one's more nuanced. Metal dents from hail but still functions perfectly—the dents are cosmetic. Asphalt shingles can suffer functional damage from hail, with granules knocked off and shingle integrity compromised. Impact-resistant Class 4 asphalt shingles narrow this gap significantly, but metal still handles hail better overall.

Wind: Both perform well if properly installed. Quality asphalt shingles rated for 110+ mph winds handle Utah's windstorms fine. Metal panels with proper fastening are essentially wind-proof. I've seen both fail in extreme winds, but it's almost always an installation issue, not a material issue.

UV Exposure: Utah's high elevation means intense UV exposure. Asphalt shingles degrade faster here than at sea level—their protective granules break down over time. Metal roofing with quality coatings handles UV better and maintains its protective finish longer.

Temperature Swings: We get wild temperature changes in Utah. I've seen 60-degree swings in a single day. Both materials handle this, but metal expands and contracts more noticeably. Proper installation accounts for this expansion, but poor installation can cause issues.

I'm a big believer in low-maintenance roofing. Your roof should protect your home without demanding attention every season.

Asphalt Shingles: Relatively low maintenance, but not zero. You should inspect annually, keep gutters clear, watch for moss or algae growth, and address any lifted or damaged shingles promptly. With proper care, quality architectural shingles last 25-30 years in Utah.

Metal Roofing: Even lower maintenance. An annual visual inspection is really all that's needed. No granules to worry about, no shingles to replace. Keep debris from accumulating in valleys and you're good. Metal lasts 50+ years—I've seen metal roofs from the 1970s still going strong.

The maintenance difference becomes significant over time. With asphalt, you might replace a few shingles after a storm, deal with moss issues, or address wear spots. With metal, you're mostly just checking that nothing's come loose.

One thing I will say: when metal does need repair, it's often more complicated than asphalt. Replacing a damaged metal panel requires more specialized work than swapping out a few shingles. But that repair need comes up much less frequently.

For busy homeowners who want to install a roof and forget about it for decades, metal has a real advantage. For homeowners who don't mind occasional minor maintenance and want to save money upfront, asphalt is perfectly reasonable.

After installing both materials for 15+ years, here's my honest guidance on choosing:

Choose asphalt shingles if:

• Budget is your primary concern
• You're selling within 15 years
• You want a traditional roof appearance
• Your home is in a lower-elevation valley area
• You're comfortable with eventual replacement

Choose metal roofing if:

• You can afford the higher upfront cost
• You're staying long-term (15+ years)
• You live in mountain areas with heavy snow
• You want minimal maintenance and maximum longevity
• Energy efficiency is a priority (metal reflects heat)

There's no wrong answer here. Both materials serve Utah homeowners well when chosen appropriately and installed correctly. The key is matching the material to your specific needs.

If you're truly torn, I recommend this: get quotes for both. See the actual numbers for your specific home. Sometimes the cost difference is less than expected. Sometimes it's more. Having real quotes helps you make an informed decision.