It’s one of the most common questions we get from homeowners heading into a roof replacement: Which is better when it comes to metal roofing vs. asphalt shingles?
Over 30 years and 1,500+ completed roofing projects, we’ve installed both metal and asphalt on homes across Nebraska — and we’ve seen both perform beautifully when they’re the right fit. The honest answer isn’t one or the other. It’s that the right choice depends on your budget, how much maintenance you want to deal with over the next few decades, and how you want your roof to look. Both materials are legitimate options. Both have real advantages. And for the right homeowner, each one is the better choice.
Here’s a side-by-side look at everything that matters so that you can decide for yourself.
Table of Contents:
- Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Cost Breakdown
- Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Maintenance Comparison
- How They Look On Your Home
- Does Metal Roofing or Asphalt Shingles Add More Home Value?
- How Your Roof Affects Your Insurance (Most Homeowners Don’t Understand This)
- So Which One Is Better?
- Want the Full Picture Before You Decide?
Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Cost Breakdown
This is where the two materials differ most noticeably — and where most homeowners start the comparison.
Asphalt shingles are the more affordable option upfront. In Nebraska, a standard architectural shingle roof runs around $4.55 per square foot installed, putting most homes in the $8,000–$12,000 range for a full replacement.
Metal roofing costs more to start. Depending on the product — metal shingles, stone coated steel, or standing seam panels — you’re looking at $6–$12 per square foot installed in Nebraska, or roughly $12,000–$25,000 for a typical home.
That’s a meaningful difference. But the comparison doesn’t end at today’s price tag.
An asphalt roof in Nebraska typically lasts 20–25 years. A metal roof lasts 40–70. Over a 50-year window, most homeowners with asphalt will replace their roof twice — sometimes more. When you add up those replacement costs, plus the maintenance and repairs that accumulate over time, metal often comes out ahead on total spend. It just requires more upfront.
The bottom line on cost: If budget is the primary concern right now, asphalt is the practical choice. If you’re thinking long-term and want to pay once, metal makes financial sense over time.
Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Maintenance Comparison
This is the part that doesn’t get talked about enough, and it matters more than most homeowners realize until they’re a few years into owning a roof.
Asphalt Shingles Maintenance
These require regular attention. Over the life of an asphalt roof you can expect periodic inspections, granule loss that accelerates as the roof ages, shingles that crack or lift after wind events, re-caulking around flashing and penetrations, and occasional patches where individual shingles need to be replaced. None of these are catastrophic on their own — but they add up in both cost and time, and Nebraska’s storm seasons tend to create more of them than milder climates.
Metal Roofing Maintenance
Metal requires very little maintenance. Occasional inspection, clearing debris from valleys and gutters, and checking fasteners every several years covers most of what a metal roof needs. It doesn’t shed granules, doesn’t crack under UV exposure, and doesn’t lift as easily in wind events. Once it’s on, it largely takes care of itself.
The bottom line on maintenance: If you want to set it and forget it, metal wins by a wide margin. If you’re comfortable with periodic upkeep every few years, asphalt is manageable.
How They Look On Your Home
Aesthetics come down to personal preference — and the best way to evaluate that is to look at photos of both on actual homes. What we can do is describe what each one looks like so you know what you’re working with.
Asphalt shingles
These have a familiar, classic appearance. Architectural shingles have a layered, dimensional profile that gives the roof depth and texture. They come in a wide range of colors — from traditional charcoal and weathered wood tones to warmer browns and cool slates. Most homes in Nebraska have asphalt, so it’s the aesthetic most people are used to seeing and the one that blends most naturally into most neighborhoods.
Metal roofing
Metal has a distinctly different look depending on the product. Standing seam panels have a clean, modern profile with visible vertical seams running up the roof slope — sleek and architectural. Metal shingles and stone coated steel mimic the appearance of traditional roofing materials — shake, tile, or shingle profiles — with a textured surface that reads more traditional at a distance. The range is wide enough that some metal roofs look strikingly modern while others are nearly indistinguishable from asphalt at street level.
So if you like the durability of metal but still want the old fashioned look, we’d recommend our stone coated steel roofing as it has the looks and the protection.
Does Metal Roofing or Asphalt Shingles Add More Home Value?
This one surprises people. The intuitive assumption is that metal — being the more premium, longer-lasting material — automatically adds more resale value. The reality is more nuanced.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt actually has a higher short-term ROI on resale. A quality asphalt roof replacement returns around 60–70% of its cost in added home value according to current cost vs. value data. Buyers in most Nebraska markets expect asphalt and don’t place a significant premium on metal unless they’re specifically looking for it.
Metal roofing
This depends on its age. Metal roofing tends to add more value over time as it ages. A 10-year-old metal roof is still essentially new. A 10-year-old asphalt roof is halfway through its life. That difference shows up in home inspections, in buyer perception, and in the negotiating leverage a seller has when they can point to a roof that won’t need to be replaced for decades. Metal also tends to appeal more strongly in rural Nebraska markets where durability and longevity carry more weight than in suburban neighborhoods where appearance conformity matters more.
The bottom line on home value: If you’re selling soon, a new asphalt roof may recoup more immediately. If you’re planning to sell in 10–15 years, metal’s remaining lifespan becomes a genuine selling asset that asphalt can’t match.
How Your Roof Affects Your Insurance (Most Homeowners Don’t Understand This)
This one almost never comes up in the asphalt vs. metal conversation — and it should.
Your roofing material directly affects your homeowners insurance in two ways: what you pay in premiums and what you receive when you file a claim.
Impact resistance ratings matter. Insurance companies in Nebraska pay close attention to hail damage claims — the state is consistently among the top in the country for hail events. Many insurers offer meaningful discounts for Class 4 impact-resistant roofing materials, which includes certain asphalt shingles but applies most consistently to metal. The discount varies by insurer and policy, but some homeowners see annual premium reductions that meaningfully offset the higher upfront cost of metal over time.
Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Value. This is the one that stings. Many standard homeowners insurance policies cover roofs on an Actual Cash Value (ACV) basis rather than Replacement Cost Value (RCV). ACV means your insurer pays what the roof is worth today — accounting for depreciation based on age. An asphalt roof that’s 18 years old may be depreciated down to 10–20% of its replacement cost. If a storm damages it, you might receive a fraction of what a new roof costs and be responsible for the rest.
Metal roofs depreciate far more slowly — and their longer lifespan means they stay closer to full value for longer. Some insurers also offer better policy terms for metal roofs specifically because of their demonstrated durability in storm events.
Before you make your roofing decision, it’s worth a quick call to your insurance provider to ask two questions: does my material choice affect my premium, and how will this roof be covered in a claim? The answers might influence your decision more than the cost comparison does.
So Which One Is Better?
It genuinely depends. Anyone who tells you otherwise without knowing your situation is giving you a sales pitch, not an answer.
Choose asphalt shingles if:
- Upfront budget is the primary consideration
- You’re planning to sell within the next 5–10 years
- You prefer the traditional, familiar look most homes in your neighborhood have
- You’re comfortable with periodic maintenance every few years
Choose metal if:
- You want the last roof you’ll ever install on this home
- You’re tired of the maintenance cycle and want something you don’t have to think about
- You’re in a storm-prone area and want maximum hail and wind protection
- You want the insurance and energy efficiency advantages over the long run
- You prefer a cleaner, more distinctive aesthetic
Either way, we’ll tell you honestly which one makes more sense for your specific home, your roof’s current condition, and your situation. That’s what the free inspection is for.
Want the Full Picture Before You Decide?
Our complete roofing guide for homeowners covers everything from how to evaluate your current roof to what the full replacement process looks like — so you can walk into any contractor conversation already informed.
Read the Complete Roofing Guide for Homeowners →
When you’re ready to talk through which option makes sense for your home, we’re happy to take a look — no pressure, no upselling.
We serve homeowners across Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa.