2024 ROOFING MATERIAL COMPARISON: ASPHALT VS. METAL IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI
We Install Both. Here Is What We Recommend and Why.
About 70% of the roofs we install in the Lebanon area are architectural asphalt shingles. The remaining 30% are standing seam or exposed fastener metal panels. Both are good products when installed correctly. The right choice depends on your budget, your building, and how long you plan to own the property.
Cost: Asphalt Wins on Day One
For a typical 2,000 sq ft roof footprint (roughly 24 squares), a quality architectural shingle installation runs between $8,500 and $12,000 in our area as of late 2024. The same roof in standing seam metal will cost $18,000 to $26,000. Exposed fastener metal (like agricultural ribbed panels) falls between $10,000 and $14,000 but is generally not used on residential homes.
If you are planning to sell the house within 10 years, asphalt shingles give you the best return. The curb appeal difference between a well-installed shingle roof and a metal roof is minimal in our market, and buyers here are not paying a premium for metal on a residential home.
Longevity: Metal Wins Over Time
A quality architectural shingle (GAF Timberline, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark) carries a manufacturer warranty of 30 years. In practice, in the Ozarks climate, expect 20 to 25 years of actual service life before significant granule loss and wear become visible.
A standing seam metal roof, properly installed with concealed fasteners and quality Kynar-coated panels, will last 40 to 60 years with minimal maintenance. If you are building your forever home, the lifetime cost of metal is lower because you avoid one or two re-roofs over the life of the structure.
Wind Resistance
This is where the Ozarks climate gets relevant. We regularly see straight-line wind events exceeding 70 mph. High-wind rated architectural shingles (130 mph wind warranty) perform well when installed with the correct nailing pattern — 6 nails per shingle in the reinforced nailing zone, not the standard 4.
Standing seam metal panels are mechanically locked to the structure and do not rely on adhesive strips that can fail in extreme heat. In our experience, metal roofs shed wind better than shingles in the sustained high winds that precede Ozarks thunderstorms. We have replaced shingles torn off in storms where adjacent metal roofs were untouched.
Hail Performance
This is nuanced. Large hail (1.5 inches and above) will damage both materials. Shingles show hail as bruised spots where the granule layer is knocked loose, exposing the asphalt mat. Metal shows hail as visible dents in the panel surface.
From an insurance perspective, hail-damaged shingles typically result in a full roof replacement claim because the granule loss accelerates aging across the entire surface. Hail-dented metal is usually considered cosmetic damage and may not trigger a replacement unless the dents compromise the panel seams.
If your primary concern is hail, consider impact-resistant shingles (Class 4 rated). They cost about 15% more than standard architectural shingles and many insurance companies offer a discount on your premium for having them installed.
Noise and Comfort
Metal roofs are louder in heavy rain. There is no way around this. With proper insulation (minimum R-38 in the attic) and solid decking underneath, the noise is reduced significantly, but it is still audible. Some homeowners consider this a feature. Others find it distracting.
Metal roofs reflect more solar heat than dark shingles, which can reduce cooling costs by 10-15% in the Ozarks summer. This advantage diminishes if you have adequate attic insulation and ventilation, which you should have regardless of roofing material.
Our Bottom Line
For most residential customers in the Lebanon area on a standard budget, we recommend GAF Timberline HDZ or Owens Corning Duration shingles with a 6-nail pattern. For commercial buildings, agricultural structures, or homeowners building a 30-plus-year home, we recommend standing seam metal in 24-gauge Galvalume with a Kynar finish.
We do not push one over the other because we install both and make comparable margins on each. The right answer depends on your situation.