We install both. The right answer is house-specific. Here's the framework we walk every Texas client through before they choose.
Cooling load
Standing-seam metal in a light Kynar finish reflects 70-80% of solar radiance. Architectural shingles reflect 8-25%. On a 2,800 sqft DFW home, the metal roof reduces summer attic temperature by an average of 28°F, which translates to roughly $340-$480/year in cooling cost savings.
Lifecycle
- Standing-seam metal: 45-60 year service life, paint warranty 30 years, structural panel warranty 40+ years.
- Architectural shingle: 20-25 year practical life in DFW (manufacturer warranty is 30-50 years but hail cuts it short).
- Cost-per-year: Metal at $4.10/sqft installed over 50 years = $0.082/sqft/yr. Shingle at $1.60/sqft over 22 years = $0.073/sqft/yr. Roughly equal once you account for the metal not getting replaced after every hail cycle.
When to choose shingle
Complex roofs with many valleys, hips, dormers, and penetrations are 30-45% more expensive in metal due to custom panel and flashing labor. If your roof has a high-articulation geometry, shingles are usually the more rational choice.
When to choose metal
Simple gable or shed-roof geometries. Detached garages, barns, and outbuildings. Homes where the roof is highly visible from the street and architecture wants the look. And any home where the owner plans to stay 10+ years and wants to stop thinking about roofs.
