Metal Roof vs. Shingles: Which Is Better for a Hot Climate?

Whether you live in a place with high temperatures year-round or your summers get sweaty, your roof should help your home stay cool during warm weather. So, when it’s time to install a new roof, it’s fair to ask whether a metal roof or asphalt shingles in a hot climate will keep your home cooler. Both have many pros and cons, and you’ll end up happier if you take the time to balance your personal preferences with the facts. We review what you need to know to choose the most energy-efficient roofing for your house.

Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Key Differences

Metal roofing and asphalt shingles are different in almost every way. They look different, consist of different materials, have distinct installation methods, are on the opposite ends of the cost spectrum, have disparate longevity expectations, and are almost opposites when it comes to eco-friendliness. Metal roofing is usually sleek or industrial looking, made of solid metal, more expensive, more durable, can last 100 years or more, and is eco-friendly and recyclable. On the other hand, asphalt shingles are more traditional in appearance, made of layers of inorganic materials and asphalt, are relatively inexpensive, last an average of 20 years, have a higher carbon footprint, and are not recyclable.

Overall, metal roofing is superior when it comes to its benefits in hot climates. Below we break it down in more detail. 

What Is Metal Roofing?

Metal roofing is a general term for roof panels, sheets, tiles, or systems constructed with metal. Most metal roofing is made of steel or aluminum, but other metals like copper or galvanized metal are popular, too. Previously seen mostly on farm and industrial buildings, metal roofing systems are having a residential moment as homeowners discover their benefits. 

Best for: 

• Homes in climates that are hot, experience heavy rains and hail, have high winds, or are in coastal areas

• Those who want to save money on heating and cooling

• Homes in wildfire danger areas

• Homes where strong UV rays, pests, mold, mildew, or moss may cause asphalt roofing to age or degrade

• Those looking for a roofing material that doesn’t require much maintenance

• Homes in places with harsh winters since metal is usually the best roof for cold climates

Pros of Metal Roofs in Hot Climates

With its huge variety of types, colors, and profiles, metal roofing can be a great option for almost every home. However, homeowners in extreme or hot climates can get the best value from their metal roofs. One of the top reasons is because they’re very energy efficient—metal roofs reflect UV rays and heat from the sun, keeping attics and homes cooler, and reducing the need for air conditioning. 

Additionally, because it’s lightweight, contractors may even install new metal roofing over existing roofing, lowering the cost of the job and adding more insulation against sound and heat. Along with reflecting the sun’s heat and roof-damaging UV rays, metal is durable against other harsh weather conditions, corrosive coastal air, pests, mold, moss, and other types of damage that are likely in hot and humid climates. 

Likewise, instead of relying on gravity or sealants, metal roofing installations can have fixed seams, crimping, and interlocking panels that resist high winds that can happen in hot climates. It’s also fire-resistant, making it a great choice for wildfire-prone areas and against housefires. 

How long does a roof last? For metal roofing, the answer can be 50 to 200 years—and sometimes even longer for certain types of metal and with the right installation and care. They can also look better for longer in hot climates; newer specialty coatings and paints protect metal roofs against fading and chalking in even the most extreme temperatures. Even though it’s more expensive upfront than other roofing types, materials like asphalt shingles often break down faster than expected in hot temperatures, so metal roofing’s long life span gives it a lower overal cost over time. 

Cons of Metal Roofs in Hot Climates

There are a few downsides that you need to consider when looking at metal roofing. The first is price—most types of metal roofing are relatively expensive. The price will rise even more if you choose a higher-quality or thicker metal roof to guard against impact damage, bending in high winds, and other climate-related possibilities. Add to that the need to hire experienced metal roofing contractors near you, and you can expect metal roofing costs to be double or more than what you’ll pay for other types of roofing.

Hot climates can be challenging for all types of roofing, and even though metal stands up to heat and sun better than most other types of roofing, it still has some climate-related challenges. Sun can fade metal roofing over time and cause it to look chalky; to avoid this, you’ll want to apply a specialty coating that’s fade resistant and prevents chalking. It can also dent and scratch, be noisy during storms that can be common in hotter climates, and will expand and contract with temperature—especially the wide temperature swings possible in extreme climates. So, you’ll need to be sure to choose the right thickness of metal and the correct installation method to stand up to your specific weather. 

While maintenance needs are few, metal roofing does have some complications. If you choose a roofing system that has exposed fasteners, you’ll need to have the fasteners and gaskets inspected every year and replaced every five to 10 years for the life of your roof. Color matching can also get complicated on installed metal roofs, so If a damaged panel needs replacing, it can be hard to match the color of the new panel with the existing roofing. 

What Is Asphalt Shingle Roofing? 

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the United States. They consist of layers, including a base mat of cellulose organic fibers or fiberglass with asphalt coating and a ceramic or stone granule covering. Asphalt shingle roofs come with pros and cons; they’re are relatively inexpensive, come in a wide array of colors, are fast and easy to install, and most roofing contractors know how to install them. 

Best for: 

• Homes in moderate climates with a smaller chance of harsh conditions damaging roofs 

• Those who like the traditional look of shingle roofing

• Homes in neighborhoods where metal roofing isn’t allowed by homeowners associations or will look out of place

• Homes in places where metal roofing is hard to source or find qualified installers

• Homeowners who want to reroof before selling their homes but don’t want the added expense of metal roofing

• Homes under trees with branches that could fall and damage metal roofing

Pros of Asphalt Shingles in Hot Climates

Asphalt shingles are wallet-friendly, fit almost every style of home because of the wide variety of colors and styles, and they’re easy to replace if damaged. Plus, almost every roofing company installs them, so it’s usually easy to find a local installer. This is important in hot climates that are tougher on shingles; being able to easily replace damaged or broken shingles will help you keep your roof looking and functioning better despite the battering it will take from the sun and weather.

While they aren’t as long-lived as metal roofing, and are especially prone to breaking down in hot temperatures, you can buy high-quality asphalt shingles that can last up to 50 years—more than double the life span of cheaper shingles. These reasonably-priced shingles will also resist weathering and look better for longer, even in hot climates, so it’s worth investing in higher-quality materials and labor, especially when they come with longer warranties.

Another upside is the variety of shingle types on the market that are made for hot, sunny locations. For example, you can buy affordable shingles that are lighter in color or have UV-reflective coatings. These help offset the common downsides of asphalt shingles by reflecting rather than absorbing UV rays from the sun, keeping attic spaces cooler and energy bills lower than traditional, darker shingles. Likewise, you can also buy fiberglass shingles, in contrast to tar shingles, that are specially engineered to handle extreme heat, humidity, wind, and other hot-climate impacts. 

Cons of Asphalt Shingles in Hot Climates 

Affordability is the number-one reason many homeowners choose asphalt shingles, so it may come as no surprise that their affordability comes with a cost to longevity. In fact, most of the negative aspects of asphalt shingles have to do with their inexpensive cost. 

Low-quality shingles usually last fewer than 15 years, meaning you’ll have to replace them sooner and they won’t hold up as well in extreme climates or heat. In fact, extreme heat and blazing sun will deteriorate asphalt shingles faster than in cooler climates; they will dry out, curl, crack, lose granules, and disintegrate, becoming much more likely to leak. They’re not fire-resistant, either, so they won’t help protect homes in wildland fire areas or from flying sparks or embers.

Another major downside to shingles is the fact that they’re not environmentally friendly. They have a low insulation value, meaning they absorb heat and transfer it into the attics of homes, where it raises the temperature and makes HVAC systems work harder. So if you live in a hot climate, they may not be the best roofing material to keep you comfortable in your home and your energy bill may increase. 

Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Which to Choose in Warm Climates?

Metal roofing and asphalt shingle roofing both can look great and protect homes from weather and damage. However, there are big differences between the two options, especially when it comes to how well they perform and last in hotter climates, insulation value and heat resistance, life span, durability, eco-friendliness, and other important factors that may influence your purchasing decisions. If you live in an area that’s prone to harsh sun and hot weather, be sure to weigh both options carefully before making a purchasing decision.

Heat Resistance: Metal Roofing

Metal roofing reflects UV rays and heat from the sun, while most asphalt shingles absorb heat. Because of this, metal roofing—especially lighter colored metals—can be 50 to 100 degrees cooler on the surface, and they can keep attic spaces 25 to 50 degrees cooler than asphalt shingles will. Therefore, you will likely find that having a metal roof results in energy savings on your HVAC bill. 

The caveat to this is lighter, cool-roof shingles that are more reflective than darker, traditional shingles; however, metal roofing is also available in cool roof and reflective varieties that further increase its heat reflection properties.

Cost: Asphalt Shingles

Compared to other types of roofs, most metal roofing—especially rare or luxury metals, like copper—comes at a higher cost. The average cost for metal roofing is between $3 and $35 per square foot installed. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, average $3 to $5 per square foot installed. However, if you live in a hot climate, investing upfront in metal roofing that will last longer and hold up better against heat, strong UV rays, humidity, wind, algae, and other weather-related damage may be worth it. 

Life Span​: Metal Roofing

Depending on the type of metal roofing system, you can expect metal roofs to last between 40 and 70 years, with some lasting a century or longer; mid-quality asphalt shingles usually last 20 to 25 years. However, hot climates can affect the actual life span of your roofing. 

You should also choose a type of roof that stands up to your area's unique weather conditions, including thicker metal to resist hail, standing-seam roofs that better resist wind, and installation methods that help prevent damage caused by drastic temperature fluctuations. Asphalt shingles are especially prone to damage and lower life spans in hot climates. If you do decide to install shingles, buy higher-quality ones that are less likely to break down faster in hot weather, are lighter in color, and have reflective granules to deflect rather than absorb damaging UV rays.

Durability​​: Metal Roofing

Metal is more durable by far—it resists wind, sun, fire, rain, and snow. However, many types of metal will dent and scratch when hit with falling branches or when walked on. Asphalt shingles can crack in hot weather, can blow away in strong winds, and will eventually weather and wear away due to sun and weather exposure.

Appearance​: Tie

This depends on your aesthetics and preferences. Some people like the modern and sleek sensibilities of metal, while others like the traditional look of shingles. Both metal and asphalt shingles come in a variety of styles, profiles, colors, and textures that you can customize to your home style.

Ease of Installation: Asphalt Shingles

Overall, most types of metal roofing are more complicated to install than asphalt shingles, so labor costs are almost always higher for metal roofing. You’ll most likely want to hire an experienced installer for both metal and asphalt roof work, and certain types of metal roofing (like standing seam and other hidden fastener systems) require a trained installer. Remember that proper installation is imperative to protect your home’s integrity. 

Ease of Repair​: Asphalt Shingles

Metal roofing is usually harder to repair than shingles; that’s especially true for hidden fastener systems, since repair often requires a professional installer to unfasten clips or interlocked metal sheets and replace damaged panels. While asphalt shingles may require more repairs than metal roofs—especially in hot climates where the sun’s rays can degrade them faster and high winds can pull them off of roofs—it’s usually much easier and less expensive to replace damaged shingles than metal roofing panels. In either case, it’s best to hire a professional to be sure repairs are done right.

Maintenance: Metal Roofing​

Metal roofing is known for being low to no maintenance, requiring only annual or biannual checks of seams and fasteners; although exposed fasteners often need to be replaced every five to 10 years. While shingle roofing doesn’t usually need much maintenance, either, it will need cleaning, inspection of flashing and other possible points of water intrusion, and checks for loose or missing shingles. 

However, hot climates can mean more maintenance for both types of roofing. Metal roofing with exposed fasteners or fasteners that secure panels to the roof decking can expand and contract more in extreme temperatures, leading to shifting, gapping, and the need to replace fasteners more often. Hot temperatures and bright sun dry out asphalt shingles, causing them to curl, crack, warp, shed water-resistant granules, and break off, so they’ll need to be repaired and replaced much sooner than in cooler or less-harsh climates. 

Eco-Friendliness: Metal Roofing

Many types of metal roofing consist of some degree of recycled metal, and all types are recyclable when their life as a roof is over. Manufacturing and shipping can generate emissions, though, so ask how sustainable your specific metal roofing is. Asphalt shingles, while their components are technically recyclable, are hard to separate and almost always end up in landfills. Asphalt is also a petroleum product and byproduct of oil production.

ROI and/or Resale Value: Metal Roofing

Homebuyers see the value in metal roofing, and many are willing to pay a premium for a home with a roof that they won’t need to repair or replace for decades. This is especially true in locations with extreme weather—where metal roofing holds up better to wind, storms, and coastal environments—and in hot and sunny climates where it absorbs less heat from the sun. 

For these reasons, getting the biggest return on your investment is more likely with metal roofing, even though it’s more expensive to install. Asphalt shingle roofs are common and popular, even in hot climates, though, so as long as the roof is in good shape, it won’t hurt your resale value—it just might not help.