We install both asphalt shingle and metal roofing, so we have no reason to push you toward one. The right answer depends on how long you plan to stay in the house, what your roof looks like, and what you want to spend up front.
Cost. Asphalt shingle is the more affordable option up front — our new roofs start at $9,999 for a shingle system. Metal typically runs meaningfully higher to install because of material cost and the labor involved in fabricating panels, flashing, and trim.
Lifespan. This is where metal earns its price. A properly installed standing-seam metal roof can last 40 to 60 years in our climate. Architectural asphalt shingle usually gives you 20 to 30. If you plan to be in the house long term, metal often costs less per year of service even though it costs more on day one.
Moss. Metal is the clear winner. Moss has a much harder time gripping a smooth metal panel than a granular shingle surface, and what does grow tends to slough off. Shingle roofs in shaded Pacific Northwest lots need hand-brushed cleaning every two to three years. That's a real, recurring cost worth factoring in.
Weather performance. Both handle our rain well when installed correctly — and 'installed correctly' is doing most of the work in that sentence. Metal sheds water and needles faster on low pitches. Shingle is more forgiving on complicated roof lines with lots of valleys, dormers, and penetrations, where every metal transition has to be fabricated.
Noise and appearance. Metal over solid decking with proper underlayment is far quieter than people expect — the drumming sound most people imagine comes from metal over open purlins on a barn. On appearance, it's preference: shingle blends into most neighborhoods, and standing-seam reads modern.
Our general guidance: if you're staying five to ten years or your roof is complex, architectural shingle is usually the better value. If you're staying long term, have a simpler roof line, or you're roofing a shop or outbuilding, metal is worth the up-front cost.
VZR Roof Services installs both across Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tacoma, Puyallup, and the surrounding areas. Call (360) 884-2185 for a free inspection and a written estimate on either system.