Metal Roof vs Asphalt Shingles in Georgia: Which Actually Lasts?

Georgia roofers install way more asphalt shingles than metal roofs. But that doesn't mean asphalt is better. It means asphalt is cheaper upfront. The real question is what makes sense over the life of your home.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles cost $4-7 per square foot installed. They last 18-25 years in Georgia. They handle heat reasonably well but can get brittle over time. Hail will crack them. Wind will lift them. They're the default choice for a reason — they're affordable, they're available, and every roofer knows how to install them.

The upgrade path is architectural shingles. They're thicker, more dimensional, and add about 20% to the cost. They also look better and last a few years longer. If you're doing asphalt, do architectural.

Metal roofs

Metal roofs cost $9-15 per square foot installed. That's roughly double the cost of asphalt. But they last 40-70 years. They reflect heat instead of absorbing it, which can lower your cooling costs in a Georgia summer. They handle hail better than asphalt. They don't rot, they don't mold, and they don't catch fire.

The downside besides cost: they're louder in the rain. Not a dealbreaker, but if you've got a metal roof over your bedroom, you'll hear it. Also, if you ever need a repair, you need a roofer who actually knows metal — and not all of them do.

The verdict

If you're staying in your home for 5-10 years, do architectural asphalt. It's the right price for the timeframe. If this is your forever home and you can afford the upfront cost, do metal. You'll replace it once in your lifetime, maybe never. The math works out over 30+ years — you'd replace asphalt twice in the time metal is still going strong.

Either way, the quality of the installation matters more than the material. A badly installed metal roof leaks just like a badly installed asphalt roof. Hire the roofer, not the material.