{
  "slug": "metal-vs-shingle-roof-cost",
  "title": "Metal vs Shingle Roof Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Metal vs Shingle Roof Cost Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/metal-vs-shingle-roof-cost",
  "summary": "Compare install cost and lifespan-adjusted annual cost of metal versus asphalt shingle roofing.",
  "description": "Metal roofing costs roughly double or triple asphalt shingles upfront but can last 40-70 years versus 15-25 for shingles, plus often lowers cooling costs and insurance premiums. This calculator annualizes both roof types over their expected lifespans and layers in estimated energy savings from a reflective metal roof to show true cost per year.",
  "formula": "Shingle Annual Cost = Install Cost ÷ Shingle Life. Metal Annual Cost = Install Cost ÷ Metal Life − Annual Energy Savings.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=metal-vs-shingle-roof-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "squares",
      "label": "Roof size",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 25,
      "unit": "squares (100 sqft)",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "shinglePerSquare",
      "label": "Shingle cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 450,
      "unit": "$/square",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "shingleLife",
      "label": "Shingle lifespan",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 20,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 5,
      "max": 40
    },
    {
      "id": "metalPerSquare",
      "label": "Metal roof cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 1100,
      "unit": "$/square",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "metalLife",
      "label": "Metal roof lifespan",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 50,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 10,
      "max": 80
    },
    {
      "id": "annualEnergySavings",
      "label": "Annual energy savings with metal",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 120,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "winner",
      "label": "Lower annualized cost option",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "metalAnnual",
      "label": "Metal roof annualized cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "shingleAnnual",
      "label": "Shingle roof annualized cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "diff",
      "label": "Annual difference",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Roof size: 25 squares (100 sqft)",
      "Shingle cost: 450 $/square",
      "Shingle lifespan: 20 yrs",
      "Metal roof cost: 1100 $/square",
      "Metal roof lifespan: 50 yrs",
      "Annual energy savings with metal: 120 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Lower annualized cost option: Metal",
      "Metal roof annualized cost: $430",
      "Shingle roof annualized cost: $563",
      "Annual difference: $133"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter roof size (squares (100 sqft)).",
      "Enter shingle cost ($/square).",
      "Enter shingle lifespan (yrs).",
      "Enter metal roof cost ($/square).",
      "Enter metal roof lifespan (yrs).",
      "Enter annual energy savings with metal ($).",
      "Read your lower annualized cost option on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "squares": 15,
        "shinglePerSquare": 275,
        "shingleLife": 12,
        "metalPerSquare": 650,
        "metalLife": 30,
        "annualEnergySavings": 70
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "squares": 25,
        "shinglePerSquare": 450,
        "shingleLife": 20,
        "metalPerSquare": 1100,
        "metalLife": 50,
        "annualEnergySavings": 120
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "squares": 40,
        "shinglePerSquare": 725,
        "shingleLife": 32,
        "metalPerSquare": 1750,
        "metalLife": 80,
        "annualEnergySavings": 190
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why does metal often win on an annualized basis despite higher upfront cost?",
      "a": "Because it lasts 2-3x longer than shingles, the huge upfront cost spreads over far more years, and reflective coatings can meaningfully cut summer cooling costs on top of that."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does metal roofing lower insurance premiums?",
      "a": "In hail and wildfire-prone areas, many insurers offer discounts for metal roofing due to its impact and fire resistance — check with your carrier and add that to the metal side if applicable."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is metal roofing noisier in rain?",
      "a": "With proper solid-deck installation and insulation, modern metal roofs are not noticeably louder than shingles; the 'noisy tin roof' reputation mostly applies to older exposed-fastener installs over open framing."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/metal-roofing-cost-calculator",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/repair-vs-replace-roof"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Metal vs Shingle Roof Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/metal-vs-shingle-roof-cost)"
}