Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Lower annualized cost option
Metal
Metal roof annualized cost
$430
Shingle roof annualized cost
$563
Annual difference
$133
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How to use this
- 1Enter roof size (squares (100 sqft)).
- 2Enter shingle cost ($/square).
- 3Enter shingle lifespan (yrs).
- 4Enter metal roof cost ($/square).
- 5Enter metal roof lifespan (yrs).
- 6Enter annual energy savings with metal ($).
- 7Read your lower annualized cost option on the right — it updates as you type.
- 8Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
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.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
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 $
Results
- Lower annualized cost option: Metal
- Metal roof annualized cost: $430
- Shingle roof annualized cost: $563
- Annual difference: $133
What each field means
Inputs
- Roof size (squares (100 sqft))
- The roof size used in the calculation, measured in squares (100 sqft). Starts at 25 squares (100 sqft) so you have a working example on load.
- Shingle cost ($/square)
- The shingle cost used in the calculation, measured in $/square. Starts at 450 $/square so you have a working example on load.
- Shingle lifespan (yrs)
- The shingle lifespan used in the calculation, measured in yrs. Starts at 20 yrs so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 5–40 yrs.
- Metal roof cost ($/square)
- The metal roof cost used in the calculation, measured in $/square. Starts at 1100 $/square so you have a working example on load.
- Metal roof lifespan (yrs)
- The metal roof lifespan used in the calculation, measured in yrs. Starts at 50 yrs so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 10–80 yrs.
- Annual energy savings with metal ($)
- The annual energy savings with metal used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 120 $ so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Lower annualized cost option
- Returned as a plain value and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Metal roof annualized cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Shingle roof annualized cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Annual difference
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Why does metal often win on an annualized basis despite higher upfront cost?
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.
Does metal roofing lower insurance premiums?
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.
Is metal roofing noisier in rain?
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.
Accuracy and 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.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Metal vs Shingle Roof Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/metal-vs-shingle-roof-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/metal-vs-shingle-roof-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Metal vs Shingle Roof Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Metal vs Shingle Roof Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/metal-vs-shingle-roof-cost) (2026).