Metal costs two to three times what asphalt shingles cost up front in the Lower Mainland and lasts about twice as long. Whether that trade is worth it depends mostly on one question: how long you plan to own the house. Here are the numbers, the practical differences in our climate, and a plain way to decide.
What's the cost difference between metal and shingles?
In Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, architectural asphalt shingles cost about $5.50 to $9.50 per sq ft installed and standing seam steel about $13 to $22 per sq ft. On a 2,000 sq ft roof that's roughly $11,000 to $20,000 for shingles against $24,000 to $40,000 for metal. Metal shingles sit at $12 to $22 and ribbed exposed-fastener panels at $8 to $14.
| Asphalt shingles | Standing seam metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed, per sq ft | $5.50 to $9.50 | $13 to $22 (steel), $18 to $28 (aluminum) |
| 2,000 sq ft roof | $11,000 to $20,000 | $24,000 to $40,000 |
| Typical life here | 20 to 30 years | 40 to 60 years |
| Moss | Grows on shaded slopes | Little to root into |
| Fire rating | Class A | Class A |
| Weight | Light | Lighter |
| Repairs | Easy, cheap, matching shingles available | Harder; single panels are awkward to replace |
| Snow | Holds it | Sheds it, so snow guards over doors |
Prices come from Lower Mainland roofers' published 2025 to 2026 rates; the cost guide has the detail and the extras.
How long does each last on the wet coast?
Architectural shingles last 20 to 30 years here, less on shaded, mossy north slopes and roofs with poor attic ventilation. Metal roofs are expected to last 40 to 60 years, and the better PVDF paint finishes carry long fade warranties. In practice that means one metal roof against two or sometimes three shingle roofs over the same period.
That's the arithmetic most people miss. If a shingle roof costs $15,000 today and has to be done again in 25 years, the metal roof at $32,000 isn't twice the price of shingles. It's roughly the price of two shingle roofs, paid once, with no second tear-off and no moss in between.
Which is better for moss, rain and wind?
Metal, on all three. Moss needs something to root into and a surface that stays damp; metal sheds water fast and gives moss nothing to hold. Shingles on a shaded Lower Mainland slope grow moss within a few years and need treatment to reach their expected life. In wind, properly clipped standing seam panels are hard to lift, while 20-year-old shingles with a failed sealant strip are what end up on the lawn after a Fraser Valley outflow event. Both are Class A fire-rated, which is what FireSmart BC recommends for homes near forest.
Is a metal roof noisy?
Over a normal attic, barely. A metal roof over sheathing and insulation sounds slightly louder in heavy rain than shingles; one university study measured a difference of about 6 dB and found metal "did not register a significantly higher sound level". The loud metal roofs people remember are uninsulated panels over open framing on shops and carports. Inside a house with an attic, most owners stop noticing within a week.
What about resale?
A metal roof is a selling point, especially on the North Shore and in the valley where buyers know cedar and shingle roofs need replacing. No BC source puts a number on the premium, so don't count on recouping the full difference on a quick sale. Think of it as a roof you won't have to replace, not an investment you'll get back in cash.
When shingles are the right answer
- You may sell within 10 to 15 years. The buyer gets most of the metal roof's value; you pay for it.
- The roof is very cut up, with many hips, valleys and dormers. Standing seam gets expensive on complex roofs; architectural shingles don't care.
- The budget is the budget. A good shingle roof with synthetic underlayment, new flashing and proper ventilation is a 25-year roof, and $15,000 to $25,000 less than metal today.
- You want easy repairs. Any roofer can patch shingles with matching product for years.
When metal is the right answer
- You plan to stay 15 years or more.
- The roof is shaded and mossy, or you're replacing cedar that has reached its end anyway.
- You live in a wildfire interface area such as Mission, Hope or the rural edges of Abbotsford and Langley.
- You want solar: panels clamp to standing seam without holes in the roof. See roofing and solar.
- You simply don't want to do this again.
How to decide in five minutes
- Estimate your years in the house. Under 10: shingles. Over 15: metal if the budget allows. In between: it depends on the next three points.
- Look at the roof's shape. Simple gable or hip: metal is efficient. Many dormers and valleys: shingles or metal shingles, which handle complexity better than standing seam.
- Look at the shade. Heavy trees on the north side push toward metal.
- Check what's there now. Cedar coming off means a re-deck anyway, which slightly narrows the gap to metal.
- Get quotes for both from the same roofers. Many Lower Mainland companies do both and will price the same roof two ways, and the quote comparison guide shows what to look for.
Whichever you choose, the underlayment, flashing and ventilation under the roofing matter as much as the roofing itself. A cheap metal roof over reused flashing leaks the same as a cheap shingle roof.
Common questions
How much more does metal cost than shingles?
Roughly two to three times. In the Lower Mainland, architectural shingles run about $5.50 to $9.50 per sq ft installed and standing seam steel about $13 to $22, so a 2,000 sq ft roof is about $11,000 to $20,000 in shingles and $24,000 to $40,000 in metal.
Does a metal roof add resale value?
It's a selling point, especially where buyers know cedar and shingle roofs need replacing, but no BC source quantifies the premium. Treat it as a roof you won't replace rather than an investment you'll recoup in full.
Is a metal roof loud in the rain?
Over a sheathed, insulated attic the difference from shingles is small; one university study measured about 6 dB more. Uninsulated metal on a shop or carport is the roof people remember as loud.