A new roof is one of the largest bills a home can bring, and the cheapest quote is not always the cheapest roof. The metal roof vs shingle cost question has two answers: what you pay on installation day, and what you pay across the years the roof lasts. This guide compares metal, shingle and tile on both, using published figures only.
Every number below comes from a named source: national cost estimates published by Fixr, life span statements from the Metal Roofing Alliance and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), and Florida insurance rules from the statutes and Citizens Property Insurance. Where no source gives a number, this guide says so instead of guessing. Prices in Lakeland and the rest of Polk County will differ from national figures.
Metal Roof vs Shingle Cost Upfront
Shingle is the cheapest of the three to install. National estimates published by Fixr put an asphalt shingle roof replacement at $6,000 to $10,000 and a metal roof at $14,000 to $38,000. Tile falls in between at the low end, with clay at $14,000 to $28,000 and concrete at $14,000 to $24,000.
These are the national ranges on the Fixr roof replacement cost page, updated February 4, 2026:
| Roof type | National range published by Fixr |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | $6,000 to $10,000 |
| Metal | $14,000 to $38,000 |
| Clay tile | $14,000 to $28,000 |
| Concrete tile | $14,000 to $24,000 |
Fixr gives an overall national average of about $10,000 for a roof replacement, with a typical range of $7,500 to $14,000. The Metal Roofing Alliance makes a similar comparison in its own words: its FAQ page says to expect a metal roof to cost roughly two to three times what an asphalt shingle roof costs, and that metal is comparable in price to tile.
What moves the price. Roof size, pitch, the number of layers to remove, and any rotten decking found during tear-off all change a quote. These ranges are national market figures, not the price of any roof in Lakeland. The guide to what a new roof costs in Florida covers the items a published average leaves out.
Roof Life Span by Material
Industry groups state life spans in broad terms rather than exact years. The Metal Roofing Alliance says a metal roof should last at least two to three times longer than a regular roof and describes metal as lasting 50 or more years. ARMA treats a shingle roof older than 20 years as a prime candidate for reroofing.
Here is what each industry body says, in its own terms:
| Roof type | What the industry body states | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | Lasts 50+ years; two to three times longer than a regular roof | Metal Roofing Alliance |
| Asphalt shingle | A roof more than 20 years old is a prime candidate for reroofing | ARMA |
| Clay or concrete tile | Manufacturer warranties far exceed other roofing products; no year figure given | Tile Roofing Industry Alliance |
The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance page fetched for this guide did not state a number of years for tile, so none is given here. A tile roof also has a second clock. The tiles sit on an underlayment, and the underlayment can wear out before the tiles do. The guide to tile roof underlayment versus broken tiles explains that difference.
How long any roof lasts in Florida heat and storms is covered in more depth in the guide to how long a roof lasts in Florida.
Cost Over the Life of the Roof
A fair comparison between roof types looks at price and expected service life together, not price alone. A roof that costs more upfront but lasts longer can cost less for each year you own it, or more, depending on your quotes, how long the roof really lasts and how long you stay in the home.
The comparison is simple arithmetic you can do with your own numbers:
- Take the installed price. Use the written quote you receive, not a national average.
- Find the material’s stated service life. The Metal Roofing Alliance says metal roofing lasts 50 years or more. ARMA calls a shingle roof over 20 years old a prime candidate for reroofing, which is a signal to inspect rather than a fixed lifespan. The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance gives no year figure.
- Divide the price by the years for each material, and compare the results side by side.
No published source turns these into a reliable per-year figure for Florida, so this guide does not print one. Any per-year number also leaves out repairs, insurance premiums, energy use and how long you plan to stay in the home. If you sell in ten years, a longer life span helps the next owner more than it helps you, unless the price of the home reflects it.
No tile figure is given in this calculation because no fetched industry source states a tile life span in years.
Wind and Heat Behaviour in Florida
All three materials can be built for high wind, but they fail in different ways. The University of Florida found that asphalt shingles become partly unsealed over time, especially at exposed corners, as temperature swings weaken the sealant. Tile and metal industry groups each state strong wind performance when the roof is installed and attached correctly.
Shingle. University of Florida researchers aged shingles and tested them in hurricane-strength wind tunnels. They found sealant deterioration progressed beyond the first four years after installation, driven by natural weathering and cyclical temperature change (University of Florida). Their recommendation is a professional check of shingle adhesion along the edges, with loose edges hand-sealed to the manufacturer’s instructions. That is roof work for a professional, not a homeowner job.
Tile. The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance says concrete and clay tiles can be designed to withstand winds up to 200 MPH when properly installed and attached (TRIA). It also says tile weight contributes to its wind performance, and that a roof structure must be able to carry that weight (TRIA, why weight matters). A home that has never had tile needs a structural check before switching.
Metal. The Metal Roofing Alliance lists resistance to wind, hail and fire as the reasons insurers view metal as lower risk (MRA insurance page). Its FAQ also says there is little difference in rain or hail noise between metal and other materials.
On heat, the industry groups make energy claims about their own products. Those claims are not independent measurements, so this guide does not repeat savings figures.
Upkeep and Repairs
Each industry body describes its own material as low upkeep, and none of them is a neutral party. ARMA says properly chosen and applied shingles need little or no regular upkeep and are easily repaired. TRIA calls clay and concrete tile virtually maintenance free. Inspection after storms still matters for every roof type.
What the sources and the University of Florida study point to for each material:
- Shingle. Edge adhesion weakens with age and heat, so a professional check of sealed edges is the upkeep the University of Florida study recommends.
- Tile. Individual tiles can crack or slip, and the underlayment beneath them has its own service life.
- Metal. The Metal Roofing Alliance says metal can often be installed over an existing roof. ARMA notes shingles can often go over an old roof too, but local codes may limit overlays. Confirm what your local building department allows before agreeing to an overlay.
Any repair on a roof means ladder and fall risk. Spot problems from the ground or from inside the attic in daylight and dry weather, then call a professional. The Lakeland roof leaks guide covers what to do when a roof of any material starts leaking.
The Insurance Angle in Florida
Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for wind-resistant features, and roof age limits at Citizens differ by material. Section 627.0629 lists roof covering performance and roof-to-wall strength among the features that must earn actuarially reasonable discounts. No fetched official source states a fixed percentage for a metal or tile roof.
Wind mitigation discounts. Section 627.0629 requires insurers to provide discounts, credits or other rate differentials for windstorm mitigation features, including wind uplift prevention, roof strength, roof covering performance and roof-to-wall strength (s. 627.0629, Florida Statutes). The statute does not set a percentage for these features. A wind mitigation inspection is how those features get documented for your insurer.
Citizens roof age limits. Citizens Property Insurance treats roof material differently (Citizens inspections):
| Roof type | Age at which Citizens requires proof of remaining life |
|---|---|
| Shingle or similar (soft) | Older than 25 years |
| Tile, slate, clay, concrete or metal (hard) | Older than 50 years |
Past those ages, Citizens requires a Florida-licensed inspector to document at least five years of remaining useful life. A roof with less than five years left needs proof of a full replacement before a policy can be issued.
The Metal Roofing Alliance publishes a discount range of its own, but it is a trade group figure, not an insurer or regulator figure, so it is not repeated here. Ask your insurer what credit your roof and its features would earn, and confirm any rule with your agent before you choose a material.
Choosing Between Metal, Shingle and Tile
The right material depends on budget, how long you will stay, and what your roof frame can carry. Shingle costs least upfront. Metal costs more but the Metal Roofing Alliance states a 50-year-plus life. Tile needs a structure built for its weight. Insurance rules at Citizens give hard roofs a longer age limit.
A short way to weigh the choice:
| If this matters most | Material to look at first |
|---|---|
| Lowest installed price | Shingle |
| Fewest replacements over decades | Metal or tile |
| Longest Citizens age limit | Metal or tile (50 years) |
| No added structural load | Shingle or metal |
Get written quotes for at least two materials so the comparison uses real numbers. The Roof Repair Lakeland FL page on metal roofing in Lakeland describes the metal roof service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is insurance cheaper with a metal roof?
Florida’s s. 627.0629 requires insurers to offer discounts for wind-resistant roof features, including roof covering performance (s. 627.0629). The statute sets no percentage for a metal roof. Citizens also allows hard roofs, including metal, up to 50 years before requiring proof of remaining life (Citizens). Ask your insurer what your roof would earn.
What are the negatives of a metal roof?
The main drawback is upfront cost. National estimates published by Fixr put metal at $14,000 to $38,000 against $6,000 to $10,000 for shingle (Fixr). On noise, the Metal Roofing Alliance says there is little difference between metal and other materials in rain or hail (MRA).
Is it cheaper to put a metal roof on than a shingle roof?
No, not upfront. The Metal Roofing Alliance says to expect a metal roof to cost roughly two to three times what an asphalt shingle roof costs (MRA). Spread over its stated 50-year-plus life, the per-year cost can come close to shingle, depending on the quote.
Does a metal roof devalue a house?
No fetched independent source shows that a metal roof lowers a home’s value. The Metal Roofing Alliance says a metal roof adds to resale value (MRA), but it is a trade group promoting its product. A local real estate agent can speak to buyer demand in your area.
How long does a metal roof typically last?
The Metal Roofing Alliance says a metal roof is built to last 50 or more years and at least two to three times longer than a regular roof (MRA). Installation quality and storm exposure affect any roof, so ask for the manufacturer’s warranty terms in writing.
Which is better, a metal or tile roof?
Neither wins on every point. Fixr’s national ranges put tile at $14,000 to $28,000 for clay and metal at $14,000 to $38,000 (Fixr). Tile is heavier and needs a frame built for it (TRIA). Citizens gives both the same 50-year age limit (Citizens).
