The purpose of a roof is to protect the house and divert water away from the walls and foundation of the house and both metal roofing and composite roofing systems can do that well. However, there are some significant differences that will result in a different experience depending on which you choose.
Initial Cost
What you pay upfront for a metal roof is very comparable to what it costs for a new synthetic shingle roof. As you might expect, there may be a few exceptions here and there depending on the complexity of your roof and the quality of material selected, but overall it’s in the same ballpark.
A new metal roof costs about $7-$11.50 per sq. ft. so for a 1500 sq. ft. home the total upfront cost would range from $10,500-$17,250.
The initial cost of a composite roof is about $10-$13 per sq. ft. bringing the total cost for a 1500 sq. ft. home to around $15,000-$20,000.
There is a greater variance in cost for a metal roof due to the variety of metal sheets available. Some metal roofing panels require a lot more work in the manufacturing process and some are just built from a more quality material.
Most synthetic shingles are made from a polymer that varies between manufacturers and most are similar in structure, but if you find a synthetic roof that is much cheaper than others, be sure to check the different durability ratings of the shingles to make sure they are of adequate quality.
Cost Over Time
An interesting feature of metal roofing is its ability to reflect UV light from the sun and reduce the energy required to cool your home by about 10-25%. They also don’t typically require a lot of maintenance, but some of the work that might need to be done over the life of the roof is to fasten down seams that have buckled due to thermal expansion. Sometimes the panels need to be replaced entirely and a direct match for your roof is not always available, which means you might have to settle for an aesthetically differing panel on your roof.
Composite roofs require little to no maintenance over the life of the roof making them a very attractive option. You pay a little more upfront, but in the long run you won’t be spending a whole lot on repairs, because synthetic polymer shingles are extremely durable in both the heat and cold. Many come with a Class A Fire Rating and a Class 4 Impact Rating which are the highest in their categories.
Warranty
This comparison could also be considered in the cost over time analysis. Manufacturer warranties for metal roofs are few and far between, but the life expectancy can be anywhere from 40-70 years. You may be able to find a roofing contractor that will guarantee the workmanship, but it’s more common to find a manufacturer and a contractor working together to guarantee the life of a roof, but that typically happens with roofing systems other than metal roofs.
Synthetic roofs have a lifetime expectancy of 50 years and because the product is so good, manufacturers will back it up with a guaranteed warranty. The conditions for each warranty depend on the manufacturer, but an example of a composite roofing company that offers such a warranty is F-Wave Roofing which also offers a 5 year hail damage warranty.
Appearance
This mostly comes down to preference, but it should be noted (as stated previously) that if a metal panel needs to be replaced, a direct match is not always available, which may be unsightly. Another thing to consider is if you enjoy the sound of rain falling on a metal roof or if the noise is bothersome or if it even matters to you at all.
Composite shingles come in many different styles that emulate other traditional roofing materials such as cedar shakes, stone slate and traditional asphalt shingles. The only thing they don’t emulate is a metal roof, so if you like the look of a metal roof, there really is no replacement for it.
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