That paperwork grind is no joke—I've had inspectors ask for photos of every single underlayment seam, which felt a bit much. On the noise, I’ve worked on both metal and shingle roofs, and honestly, neither is whisper-quiet in a storm. Metal does have a sharper sound, but I’ve had clients say they got used to it fast. Maintenance-wise, I get why people lean toward metal, but I’ve seen plenty of shingle roofs last 25+ years if you stay on top of minor repairs. It’s really about what headaches you’re willing to deal with.
That’s a really fair take. I’ve noticed the same thing—shingle roofs can go the distance if you’re willing to patch up the odd tab or replace a few nails here and there. Metal’s definitely less hassle long-term, but the upfront cost can be a shock. The noise factor is real, but after a few storms, most folks barely notice it. Honestly, it comes down to what you’re comfortable maintaining and what fits your budget. Both have their quirks, but neither is a bad choice if you keep up with the basics.
Metal’s definitely less hassle long-term, but the upfront cost can be a shock.
I’d argue the “less hassle” part depends on your weather. After a bad hailstorm last spring, I saw more dented metal panels than missing shingles. Sure, shingles need patching, but at least you don’t end up with a roof that looks like it lost a fight with a golf ball machine. Maintenance is different, not always less.
That’s what I’m worried about, honestly. I’m in the Midwest and our hail gets pretty wild some years. I keep hearing metal’s “set it and forget it,” but a neighbor had to replace a bunch of panels after last summer’s storm... while my old shingles just lost a few tabs. Is there any way to protect metal roofs from dents, or is that just part of the deal? The upfront cost already makes me hesitate.
Yeah, hail is a beast out here. I had the same debate last year—metal looked great on paper, but then I saw my cousin’s roof after a golf-ball hailstorm. Looked like someone took a hammer to it. He went with the thinner panels, though, which I guess are more prone to dents. From what I’ve read (and what a couple roofers told me), you can get heavier gauge metal that holds up better, but it’ll cost you more up front. Some folks add a layer of rigid foam underneath for a bit of cushion, but honestly, if the hail’s big enough, nothing’s totally safe.
Shingles aren’t perfect either, but at least you can patch them up without replacing whole sections. I’m still rocking 3-tab asphalt and yeah, I lose a few tabs every storm, but it’s a cheap fix. Metal’s nice for fire and longevity, but if you’re worried about hail, you might just be trading one headache for another. If you do go metal, maybe look into impact-resistant panels—just be ready for sticker shock.
