I switched to metal a couple years back, and honestly, my summer AC bills dropped a bit—maybe 10-15%? I went with a lighter color, which supposedly reflects more heat. The attic definitely feels cooler now. One thing I’d suggest: make sure you get good insulation under the metal, or you might not see much difference. It’s not a magic fix, but it helped more than I expected. If you’re in a really hot spot, the color and ventilation matter just as much as the material, from what I’ve seen.
That lighter color really does make a difference, especially in the summer. I’ve noticed on job sites that folks who go with darker metal roofs sometimes complain their attics still get pretty toasty, so color’s not just a marketing thing. Insulation under metal is huge too—without it, you’ll hear every raindrop and lose a lot of the cooling benefit. Shingles are cheaper up front, but in hot climates, they just don’t hold up as well over time. Metal’s not perfect, but it’s definitely less hassle with heat if you set it up right.
Insulation under metal is huge too—without it, you’ll hear every raindrop and lose a lot of the cooling benefit.
You nailed it with that point. I’ve seen folks skip proper insulation thinking the metal alone will do the trick, but it just doesn’t work out—especially in hotter regions. Still, I wouldn’t write shingles off entirely. If you’re on a tight budget or in a milder climate, they can hold up okay for a while. But yeah, in real heat, metal with the right setup is way less hassle long-term. Just don’t cheap out on the underlayment or ventilation... that’s where people get burned.
- Had metal put on my shed a few years back—skipped insulation to save cash. Regretted it quick. Every rainstorm sounded like a drumline, and it baked inside by noon.
- My neighbor’s shingles lasted 15 years before curling up. Not terrible, but he’s always patching after storms.
- Metal’s better for heat, but only if you do the layers right. Otherwise, you’re just trading one headache for another.
- Wouldn’t say shingles are useless, but they’re not magic either... depends on what you’re willing to put up with.
Metal’s better for heat, but only if you do the layers right. Otherwise, you’re just trading one headache for another.
That’s been my experience too. I’ve seen a few metal jobs where folks skipped the insulation or underlayment, and it turned into a sauna in summer and a freezer in winter. Shingles aren’t perfect either—my uncle’s roof looked fine at 10 years, then started shedding granules like crazy after a hailstorm. Is it just me, or does it feel like you’re always choosing between noise, heat, or constant patching? Maybe it’s more about what bugs you less than what lasts longer.
