Head-to-Head Comparison
Metal Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles
Metal roofing costs 2–3x more than asphalt upfront but routinely outlasts two asphalt replacements. For St. Louis homeowners planning to stay in their homes long-term — and especially those tired of post-storm claims — the math often favors metal more than the sticker price suggests.
Our Verdict
Metal wins on lifespan, hail resistance, and 50-year total cost. Asphalt wins on upfront cost, repairability, and installer availability. The right answer depends entirely on how long you plan to stay in the home and what your insurance situation looks like.
| Dimension | Standing Seam Metal | Architectural Asphalt |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Installed Cost (STL 2026) | $15–$28/sqft (standing seam steel) Asphalt is roughly half the upfront cost of standing seam metal. On a 25-square St. Louis home, that's a difference of $20,000–$44,000 — a real constraint for most households. | $7–$10.50/sqft (architectural) |
| Lifespan | 50–70 years with maintenance Standing seam metal installed correctly should outlast the home's ownership cycle. Two asphalt replacements over the same period cost more in total — and carry two more installation risk events. | 25–30 years |
| Hail / Impact Resistance | Class 4 UL 2218 (most steel products) 24-gauge and 26-gauge standing seam steel is inherently Class 4 rated. Standard architectural asphalt requires a specific IR product upgrade to reach Class 4. | Class 1–2 standard; Class 4 IR version available |
| Energy Efficiency | Cool roof capable; reflective coatings available Metal roofing with Kynar 500 or reflective coatings can reduce attic cooling load meaningfully in St. Louis summers. The effect depends on insulation and attic ventilation more than the roof surface alone. | Standard granule absorbs heat; Energy Star options available |
| Repairability | Panel replacement requires skilled fabricator; dent repair difficult Asphalt is forgiving after localized damage — a roofer can replace three shingles in an afternoon. Standing seam repair requires matching panel profile and gauge, which is more complex and more expensive per event. | Individual shingle replacement is straightforward |
Choose Standing Seam Metal if...
Choose standing seam metal if you're staying in the home 15+ years, want to eliminate repeat replacement cycles, or are in an insurance situation where Class 4 savings and storm claim reduction matter financially.
Choose Architectural Asphalt if...
Choose architectural asphalt if upfront cost is the binding constraint, if you plan to sell within 10 years, or if you want the simplest possible repair path after localized damage.
The 50-Year Cost Comparison
The upfront price of standing seam metal — $15–$28/sqft installed in St. Louis — is the number that stops most conversations. On a 2,500-square-foot roof (25 squares), that's $37,500–$70,000. Asphalt at $7–$10.50/sqft is $17,500–$26,250. The $20,000–$43,000 difference is real and significant.
Over 50 years, the picture shifts. Asphalt roofs in St. Louis typically require full replacement at 25–30 years — that means two full replacements over the same period. Each replacement carries not just material and labor cost (which will be higher in 2045–2050 dollars) but also the disruption, the risk of incidental interior damage, and the time cost. Two asphalt replacements at today's prices total $35,000–$52,500 — already at or above the cost of one standing seam installation.
Add in insurance premium differences: Class 4 standing seam typically qualifies for the 20–30% MO/IL discount. On a $1,800 premium, that's $360–$540/year, or $18,000–$27,000 over 50 years in today's dollars. The financial case for metal gets stronger the longer you hold the home.
Hail Performance in St. Louis
St. Louis's location in the hail belt makes impact resistance one of the most practically important spec differences between metal and asphalt. 24-gauge and 26-gauge standing seam steel panels are inherently Class 4 UL 2218 rated — not an upgrade, but the base product. A hailstorm that would leave an asphalt roof requiring full replacement may leave a metal roof with cosmetic dents that don't affect performance at all.
Cosmetic denting is the honest caveat. Standing seam metal can dent from large hail — 2-inch-plus stones — in ways that don't cause leaks but are visible from the ground. Depending on your insurer's policy language, cosmetic-only denting may or may not trigger a claim. Some carriers write metal roofing with cosmetic damage exclusions — ask before you buy.
From a functional standpoint, a dented standing seam roof with intact seams still keeps water out. A shingle roof with granule loss, cracking, and lifted tabs after the same storm needs immediate replacement. The performance difference is substantial.
When Asphalt Is the Right Call
Standing seam metal is not the right answer for every situation. If you're planning to sell within 5–10 years, the payback period on the metal premium is too short — you'll carry the cost without realizing the full benefit. Asphalt is also easier to insure in some scenarios: the cosmetic damage issue on metal can complicate hail claims in ways that straightforward asphalt replacement doesn't.
Asphalt is also easier to repair. A small leak, a damaged section around a skylight, a flashing failure — these are day-of repairs with asphalt. Metal requires finding a contractor with the right equipment, matching profile, and metal fabrication capability. In a city with abundant asphalt roofers and fewer metal specialists, post-event repair timing is a real consideration.
For most St. Louis homeowners staying 10+ years and prioritizing long-term value over upfront cost, standing seam metal wins the 50-year math. For homeowners optimizing for upfront cost, shorter ownership, or simpler repairability, Class 4 architectural asphalt is the right choice.
St. Louis Context
St. Louis sits at the northern edge of the hail belt, with 3–5 significant events annually. Metal roofing's inherent Class 4 rating eliminates the most common cause of premature asphalt replacement in this market and qualifies for the same MO/IL insurance discount — making the 50-year total cost gap smaller than the upfront price suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will metal roofing be louder in rain and hail?+
Not on a properly installed system. Standing seam metal over solid decking with underlayment is not meaningfully louder than asphalt inside the home. Metal over open purlins without solid decking can be loud — but that's a commercial/agricultural installation, not standard residential. If you've heard 'metal roofs are noisy,' that's almost always from open-purlin farm buildings, not residential standing seam.
Does metal roofing cause lightning strike risk?+
No. Metal roofing does not increase lightning strike risk — lightning strikes the highest point regardless of roofing material. Metal does conduct electricity, so if lightning strikes, it dissipates the energy safely rather than potentially igniting the roof. Metal roofing has a Class A fire rating partly for this reason.
Can I install metal roofing over my existing asphalt shingles?+
Sometimes, within limits. Some standing seam systems can install over one layer of existing asphalt with proper furring strips. Missouri residential code typically allows one re-roof layer. The advantage is avoiding tear-off cost ($1–$2.50/sqft); the disadvantage is you can't inspect the decking for rot, and trapped moisture between layers can accelerate deck degradation. We generally recommend tear-off for metal installations.
What gauge steel should I specify for St. Louis?+
24-gauge is the residential standard and is what we install at Revolve. 26-gauge is thinner and more prone to oil-canning (a waviness in the panel) and slightly less impact-resistant. Some installers quote 26-gauge to hit a lower price — confirm gauge before signing a contract.
Does metal roofing qualify for the MO/IL insurance discount?+
Yes. Most 24-gauge and 26-gauge standing seam steel panels carry UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings and qualify for the 20–30% premium reduction. Confirm the specific product's UL rating with your installer and submit documentation to your insurer.