Marketing’s got nothing on physics...
Right? I’m in Arizona and my shingle roof basically turns my attic into a pizza oven by July. I’ve been eyeing those metal roofs, but the hail thing makes me nervous—does it really sound like you’re inside a drum set, or is that just internet hype? Also, did you notice any difference in your electric bill, or was it mostly just the attic temp? Trying to figure out if the sticker shock is worth it...
Metal roofs are definitely louder in a heavy rain or hailstorm, but it’s not as crazy as some folks make it sound—especially if you’ve got decent insulation up there. I’ve inspected a few in Phoenix and Tucson, and honestly, the bigger difference is in attic temps. Metal reflects more heat, so the attic doesn’t get quite as brutal. Electric bills drop a bit, but not night-and-day unless you’re also beefing up insulation or adding a radiant barrier. The upfront cost is rough, though... that’s usually what makes people stick with shingles.
I keep hearing about the noise factor with metal, but honestly, I’m more concerned about long-term durability and maintenance. Shingles seem to need patching or replacing after every big storm here (I’m in central AZ), and the granules end up everywhere. Metal’s upfront cost is tough to swallow, though. Has anyone actually tracked how much less maintenance a metal roof needs over, say, 15-20 years? I’m skeptical the savings really add up unless you’re planning to stay put for decades.
I’ve been in central AZ for about 18 years now, and I’ve had both shingle and metal roofs on different houses. Here’s how it played out for me, step by step:
1. Shingles: The first house had asphalt shingles. After every monsoon season, I’d find granules in the gutters and a few shingles in the yard. I had to patch or replace sections almost every year, especially after those crazy wind bursts. Insurance covered some, but not all. Over 15 years, I probably spent $4-5k just on repairs and patching—not counting the full replacement at year 17.
2. Metal: My current place has a standing seam metal roof. Upfront cost was a punch to the gut, but in 8 years, I’ve done zero maintenance except for clearing leaves. No leaks, no missing panels, nothing. The noise isn’t bad with decent insulation—honestly, I barely notice it.
If you’re planning to stay put for 10+ years, the math starts to make sense. If you might move sooner, it’s a tougher call. But for me, the peace of mind and not climbing up there every year has been worth it.
I’ve inspected a ton of roofs in the Phoenix area, and honestly, your experience lines up with what I see all the time. Shingles just don’t hold up to those microbursts and summer storms—lots of edge lifting, granule loss, and patchwork repairs. Metal’s upfront price tag is rough, but I rarely find major issues unless it was installed badly. Only real downside I’ve seen is some folks complain about heat transfer if the attic’s not well insulated...but that’s more of an insulation problem than a roofing one. For long-term folks, metal seems to win out, but if you’re flipping or moving soon, shingles can still make sense.
