Should I replace my failed shingle roof with metal?
Choosing between asphalt shingles and a metal roof is complicated by conflicting advice from contractors and a lack of clear guidance on durability and maintenance trade-offs. This uncertainty leaves property owners struggling to make a confident replacement decision when facing an active roof leak.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 29.0× more often in r/Roofing than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Getting quotes and assessments from multiple roofing companiesDid this help you?
- 2Installing an exposed fastener metal roof over existing shingles using strappingDid this help you?
- 3Doing online researchDid this help you?
- 4Getting multiple opinions from different roofers and inspectorsDid this help you?
- 5Using modified bitumen rolled roofing or permabootsDid this help you?
- 6comparing multiple contractor quotesDid this help you?
- 7researching brand opinions on online forumsDid this help you?
- 8Removing and disposing of the old roofing material completelyDid this help you?
- 9installing snow guards to prevent dangerous snow avalanchesDid this help you?
- 10choosing standing seam metal roofs instead of exposed fastener panelsDid this help you?
- 11selecting low-contrast colors to minimize the visibility of hail dimplesDid this help you?
- 12comparing total cost per expected year rather than just the initial installation priceDid this help you?
- 13Asking on forums for pros and consDid this help you?
- 14Getting quotes for both options to compare costsDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My home inspector said I need EPDM rubber or something like it because my pitch is less than 1/12 on our addition. I had a roof inspector come and they said to put the asphalt shingles on and then another roofer offered to also put new shingles on…but don’t I need something for flatter roofs?”source ↗
“I’m on the east coast of Canada (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and need to replace the roof on my rental property. Currently we’ve got an asphalt shingle roof, that has failed and leaked into the attic space.”source ↗
“I don’t know much about roofing and there seems to be a major divide on the exposed fastener roof but I see them a lot where I live. I’d appreciate any advice!”source ↗
“one said the roof is ok for a few more years and the other said we need it replaced asap”source ↗
“Hi Roofing, I'll be presenting a list of options to my church's committee this weekend on replacing our roof, and the deeper I look the less certain I am on which are the best offers.”source ↗
“What's the pros and cons I heard metal last forever and expensive but it will pay for itself .”source ↗
“The only downsides so far are the occasional "pinging" noise from expansion in the sun, and heavy rain can be loud even with a LOT of insulation in the roof.”source ↗
“It can be very dangerous if it falls off in large sheets, which is why any metal roof in places that get snow should have snow guards”source ↗
“In front of a garage door it will suddenly slide of and block your car in. Garage door opener triggers it and it a pain to clear when you need to get somewhere.”source ↗
“If you get lots of hail, it's going to dimple your roof. Insurance companies know this and will charge higher premiums”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5How to choose between roof shingle colors
- 4Which roofing shingle brand actually lasts and is easy to repair?
- 3Is a rubber roof worth it for persistent low-pitch leaks?
- 3How to choose the right gutter size and mounting type
- 4Can I install siding, soffit, and fascia before roof shingles?
- 7How to match old weathered roof shingles