Most Rockford area homeowners choose architectural asphalt shingles because they cost less up front, and they make a good roof. Metal costs more but lasts longer, sheds snow and can go on in the middle of winter. The right pick comes down to how long you plan to stay, your budget, how snow builds up on your roof and how your insurance policy treats hail.
We install both, and we price them side by side at a free inspection. Here is an honest comparison for Northern Illinois homes, with sources listed at the bottom of the post. Questions? Call (815) 624-6278.
Metal vs Shingles at a Glance
| Asphalt shingles | Metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Up front cost | Lower | Higher (see the cost section below) |
| Expected life (InterNACHI) | About 20 years for 3 tab, about 30 for architectural | 40 to 80 years |
| Hail | Class 4 impact-resistant shingles hold up better than standard ones | Usually dents without letting water in |
| Snow and ice dams | Holds snow longer; neither material stops an ice dam by itself | Sheds snow faster; neither material stops an ice dam by itself |
| Winter installs | Standard shingles aren’t installed in winter; some SBS modified shingles can go on in colder weather | Goes on year round, winter included |
| Repairs | Replacing a shingle is simple | A panel can be replaced, but the profile and finish need to match |
| Look | Architectural shingles fit most neighborhoods | Modern standing seam, or metal made to look like shake or tile |
What Each One Costs (Without Guessing)
Shingles cost less up front. Most full asphalt roof replacements in Rockford run about $8,000 to $17,500+, the same range you will find on our Rockford roof replacement page. Where a house lands in that range depends on its size, pitch, old layers and decking.
We don’t list a metal price here, because it depends so much on the system and the house. These are the things that move it:
- The type of metal: standing seam, metal shingles or stone coated steel
- Roof size and pitch, and how many dormers, valleys and chimneys the roof has
- Tearing off the old roof, plus any decking that needs replacing
- Trim and flashing where the roof meets walls and chimneys
- Snow guards over doors, walks and driveways
At a free inspection we measure once and price metal and GAF shingles side by side, so you compare real numbers for your own house. For more on what drives shingle prices, read our Rockford roof replacement cost guide. Financing is available, as low as $149/month for qualified buyers; see financing options.
How Long Each Roof Lasts Here
InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart, a guide used by home inspectors, lists about 20 years for 3 tab asphalt shingles, about 30 years for architectural shingles and 40 to 80 years for metal. Those are typical ranges, not warranties.
What wears a shingle roof down here is mostly heat and moisture in the attic, freeze and thaw cycles, and hail. Good attic ventilation helps shingles reach the long end of their range. A metal roof that is installed right can outlast more than one shingle roof, which is why metal makes the most sense on a house you plan to keep.
On the shingle side, GAF shingles can carry a 50-year GAF warranty with up to 30 years on workmanship (GAF eligibility rules apply). See how the GAF warranty works.
Hail: Dents, Bruises and What Insurance Calls Cosmetic
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) ran a hailstorm demonstration on a test house in its lab. On standing seam metal, the damage was cosmetic: visible dents, but no punctures. Impact-resistant shingles took mostly cosmetic hits, though a few impacts punctured them. Standard 3 tab shingles took mostly functional damage. Metal installed over a layer of old shingles dented larger and deeper than metal installed over a roof deck.
That word “cosmetic” matters for insurance. Some homeowners policies carry an endorsement that excludes cosmetic hail damage to metal roofs, meaning dents that don’t stop the roof from keeping water out. With that kind of exclusion, a dented metal roof that still sheds water may not be covered. Check your policy or ask your agent before you choose metal; our list of questions to ask your insurance agent can help.
If you are staying with shingles and hail is the worry, look at Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. For how often hail hits our area, see the NOAA reports in our Rockford hail records. Either way, we help homeowners with storm claims and can work with your adjuster if needed.
Snow, Ice Dams and Where the Snow Lands
Ice dams form when heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the upper roof and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, as the University of Minnesota Extension explains. Air sealing, insulation and venting fix the cause. The roofing material alone doesn’t.
Metal sheds snow faster, so less meltwater sits at the edge. The trade off is that snow can come off in sheets. Before a metal roof goes on, we look at where the snow will land and plan snow guards over doors, walks, decks and driveways.
Ice and water shield goes on every eave on every Martin roof, metal included. The City of Rockford also has ice barrier requirements for residential reroofing, listed on its building permits page. If you have leaks at the eaves now, see ice dam repair, and for prevention, read how to prevent ice dams.
Winter Installs: Where Metal Has the Edge
Metal roofs go on year round, winter included. Standard asphalt shingles aren’t installed in winter, because they need warmth to seal down. Some SBS modified (rubberized) shingles are made to go on in colder temperatures, but that doesn’t cover every shingle roof.
So if a roof fails in December, metal can go on now, and so can flat or TPO roofing on low slope sections. With standard shingles, you may need a tarp or a repair to get through the cold, then a replacement when it warms up. For a leak that can’t wait, see emergency roof repair.
Noise, Repairs and Looks
Noise. Metal can be louder than shingles during heavy rain or hail. Attic insulation helps soften the sound. If a quiet roof is a priority, ask us about it during your free estimate and we’ll go over your options.
Repairs. Replacing a damaged shingle is simple. A metal panel can be replaced too, but the new panel has to match the profile and finish of the old one.
Looks. Standing seam gives clean, modern lines. Metal shingles and stone coated steel can look like shake, slate or tile; see our Decra Villa stone coated steel tile in Rockton, which replaced an aging clay tile roof. Metal is also a natural fit on lake homes; read about metal roofing in Lake Geneva.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Whichever way you lean, bring these questions to every estimate so you can compare quotes fairly:
- Does the price include tearing off the old roof, or does the new roof go over it? The IBHS test found larger, deeper dents on metal installed over old shingles.
- What goes under the roof: which underlayment, and how far up does the ice and water shield run at the eaves?
- For metal, where will the snow guards go, and what profile and finish are you quoting?
- Does my homeowners policy have a cosmetic hail exclusion for metal roofs?
- Is the quote in writing, with the same scope for metal and shingles?
Which One Fits Your House?
Shingles may be the better fit if you:
- Want the lowest up front cost
- May sell the house before long
- Want GAF’s warranty options
- Need to match the look of your neighborhood
Metal may be the better fit if you:
- Plan to stay in the house a long time
- Want a roof that sheds snow
- Need a new roof in the middle of winter
- Want a modern, shake or tile look
Either way, the inspection is free and we price both. Read more about metal roofing in Rockford and asphalt shingle roofing, schedule a free inspection or call (815) 624-6278.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install a metal roof in the winter?
Yes. Metal roofs go on year round, winter included. Standard asphalt shingles aren’t installed in winter, though some SBS modified shingles are made for colder temperatures, so if you need a new roof in January, metal is often the faster path.
Does a metal roof stop ice dams?
Not by itself. Ice dams start with heat escaping into the attic, so air sealing, insulation and venting fix the cause. Metal sheds snow faster, which helps, and we put ice and water shield on every eave on every roof, metal included.
Will hail dent a metal roof, and will insurance pay for it?
Large hail can dent metal, usually without letting water in. Many policies treat dents that don’t leak as cosmetic, and some carry an endorsement that excludes cosmetic hail damage to metal roofs, so check your policy before you choose metal.
How long does a metal roof last compared to shingles?
InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart lists about 20 years for 3 tab shingles, about 30 for architectural shingles and 40 to 80 years for metal. Installation, attic venting and hail all affect how long yours lasts.
Is metal or shingles cheaper for a Rockford home?
Shingles cost less up front. Most full asphalt roof replacements in Rockford run about $8,000 to $17,500+, and metal costs more. We price both side by side at a free inspection so you can compare.
Sources
- InterNACHI, Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart
- IBHS, Hailstorm Demonstration Report
- University of Minnesota Extension, Dealing with and preventing ice dams
- Example insurer endorsement, Exclusion of Cosmetic Loss or Damage to Metal Roof Coverings Caused by Hail
- City of Rockford, Building Permits (ice barrier requirements for residential reroofing)
