For decades, asphalt shingles have been the most popular roofing material in North America. Then metal roofing came onto the market, and many homeowners saw the durability and longevity of metal and wanted to switch. Some of them, though, do not like the distinct look of a metal panel roof. If that sounds like you, a metal shingle roof gives you both: the warm, familiar shape of a shingle and the storm protection of steel.
We are PITCH Roofing, and as your local roofing partner we know the ins and outs of both shingle and metal roofing. This is our complete guide to metal shingles for Florida homeowners: what they are, the types you can buy, what they cost installed, how they compare with asphalt, and the questions we hear most on estimates.
What Is a Metal Shingle Roof?
The appeal of a metal shingle roof is that it combines the best of shingles and the best of metal roofing. You get the look of a traditional shingle, shake, slate or tile roof with the next generation of protection underneath. Here is how they are made.
Like other types of metal roofs, it starts with a sheet of metal, usually steel with a protective Galvalume or galvanized alloy, though aluminum, copper and zinc are also used. The sheet is stamped into a shingle, shake, slate or tile profile. Most shingles then get a factory paint finish; stone-coated shingles get a layer of stone granules bonded to the steel, the same finish that gives asphalt shingles their texture. If you have seen a metal roof that looks exactly like shingles from the street, it was almost certainly stone-coated steel.
Installation is the last step. The shingles are screwed down over your roof decking and a water-resistant underlayment, usually with the exposed fastener method, which is what keeps the roof in place when a hurricane comes through.
Best of Both Worlds
Love the look of traditional shingles but want hurricane-grade protection? Metal shingles give you the warm, non-industrial look of asphalt with the 170 mph wind rating of steel.
Types of Metal Shingles and What They Cost
Metal shingles are sold in four base metals, plus stone-coated steel as its own category. The metal decides the price, the weight and how it handles salt air, so this is the first choice to make.
Metal Shingle Roofing: Types, Cost and Benefits
Installed costs per square foot for popular metal shingle styles on a Florida home.
| Metal Shingle Type | Average Cost (Installed) | Key Features and Appearance | Best For Homeowners Who Want |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone-Coated Steel | $7 to $15 per sq. ft. | Steel with a bonded stone-granule finish; the closest match to asphalt shingle, shake or tile; hail and debris resistant; the most common metal shingle in Florida. | A roof that reads as shingles from the street with the storm rating of metal. Read our stone-coated guide. |
| Steel Shakes and Shingles | $7 to $12 per sq. ft. | Most popular painted option; replicates slate, shake or tile; extremely durable and impact resistant; Galvalume or galvanized coatings. | Maximum durability and impact resistance at the most accessible price. |
| Aluminum Shakes and Shingles | $9 to $14 per sq. ft. | Mimics wood shake; will not rust; ideal for coastal homes; Class A fire rating; reflective and energy efficient. | A coastal roof with a rustic look and no rust worry. |
| Zinc Shingles | $15 to $25+ per sq. ft. | Modern, sleek appearance; self-healing patina protects from scratches; very long service life; low maintenance. | A contemporary look with a finish that maintains itself. |
| Copper Shingles | $20 to $35+ per sq. ft. | Luxury, timeless material; develops a green patina over time; fully recyclable; exceptionally long lasting. | A distinctive, high-end, lifetime roof and an architectural statement. |
Choose the Right Metal for Your Zip Code
Within a mile or two of the Gulf or the Atlantic, salt air is the enemy. Aluminum and stone-coated steel with a Galvalume base hold up best there. Inland, painted steel gives you the same look for less.
What a Metal Shingle Roof Costs in Florida
The short answer: a metal shingle roof costs $7 to $15 per square foot installed in Florida. On the average Florida roof of about 1,700 square feet, that is $14,000 to $30,000, and most of the jobs we quote land near $25,000. Here is where that money goes.
- Materials, $5 to $11 per square foot. The shingles themselves, plus underlayment, fasteners, flashing and trim. The metal you pick (see the table above) is the biggest lever here.
- Installation, $4 to $9 per square foot. Tear-off of the old roof, decking inspection, underlayment, and the shingle install itself. Metal shingles take more precision than asphalt, and you want crews that install them regularly.
Material and labor tiers tend to move together, which is why installed totals cluster at $7 to $15 rather than the ends of both ranges. Beyond the square-foot rate, four things decide whether your number lands at the low or high end:
- Size and complexity. The bigger the roof, the more it costs. Hips, valleys and dormers add square footage and slow the install.
- Roof pitch. On roofs steeper than 8:12, crews need extra safety equipment and more time, and the price rises with it.
- Roof features. Chimneys, skylights, vents and other penetrations have to be worked around and sealed, which adds labor and flashing.
- Decking. Your shingles sit on wooden roof decking. Nobody knows its condition until the old roof comes off; water-damaged sections get replaced and add to the bill.
For a broader look at metal pricing, including standing seam and panel systems, see our guide to metal roof cost per square foot.
Metal Shingle Roof vs. Asphalt Shingle Roof
Homeowners ask three questions about any roof: how long will it last, how will it hold up in a storm, and what will it cost. Here is how metal shingles and asphalt shingles compare on each.
Longevity
For a long time, 3-tab shingles were the standard, and they lasted 15 years at best. With modern architectural shingles, asphalt can last 20 to 25 years, even in Florida’s weather.
Metal shingles roughly double that. A metal shingle roof lasts 40 to 70 years, with 50 the typical figure, and the finish holds its color for most of that span. For many homeowners it is the last roof they buy.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Walk a Florida neighborhood after a hurricane and you will see shingles on the ground. Even top-rated asphalt shingles are rated for winds of 110 to 130 mph, depending on the grade, and blow-offs start well below that once a roof is more than a few years old. Asphalt is also organic underneath its granules: in our humidity it can rot, grow mold, and shed granules, so occasional repairs are part of owning it.
Metal shingles are tested to withstand winds up to 170 mph, above the 157 mph threshold for a Category 5 hurricane. Stone-coated and painted steel shrug off hail and wind-borne debris that would crack tile or tear asphalt. Their coatings do not rot, do not feed mold, and give pests nothing to chew, so metal shingles need far fewer repairs over their life.
There is one thing to watch. Because most metal shingles use exposed fasteners, the screws and washers sit in the weather and can wear over the years. A quick inspection every few years keeps roof repair costs low.
Maintenance and Energy
Asphalt wants a look every year or two for lifted tabs, granule loss and moss. Metal shingles want a rinse and a fastener check. Metal also reflects more of the sun than asphalt absorbs; reflective coatings on aluminum and light-colored steel can take a measurable amount off summer cooling bills in Florida.
Cost
Asphalt shingle roofs cost $5 to $9 per square foot, the most affordable material on the market. On a 1,700-square-foot home that is $8,500 to $15,300 for an asphalt roof replacement.
A metal shingle roof runs $7 to $15 per square foot, or $14,000 to $30,000 on the same house. That is real money up front, but metal lasts twice as long and needs fewer repairs, so over the life of the house it is usually the cheaper roof. Think of it as one metal roof against two asphalt roofs plus the repairs between them.
The “Exposed Fastener” Check
While metal shingle roofs are incredibly durable, most use an exposed fastener installation. We recommend a professional look at those screws every few years. Catching a worn washer early is a cheap fix that prevents a leak later.
Are Metal Shingles Worth It in Florida?
For most Florida homes, yes, and for four reasons that matter more here than almost anywhere else.
- Hurricane rating. A 170 mph wind rating and strong impact resistance mean a metal shingle roof is about as close to storm-proof as a residential roof gets.
- Lifespan. 40 to 70 years against 20 to 25 for asphalt. Buy once.
- Insurance. Many Florida carriers rate metal roofs favorably on wind mitigation, and a new metal roof can lower premiums that an aging asphalt roof was raising.
- Looks and color. Shingle, shake, slate and tile profiles in dozens of colors, so the house looks the way you want without the panel-and-rib look of a standing seam roof.
Florida Metal Shingle Guide – Video
Metal Shingle Roof vs. Asphalt Shingles
| Feature | Metal Shingle Roof | Asphalt Shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 40 to 70 Years (50 typical) | 20 to 25 Years (architectural grade) |
| Wind Resistance | Up to 170 MPH (Category 5 Rated) | 110 to 130 MPH (Prone to Blow-offs) |
| Cost (Per Sq. Ft.) | $7 to $15 | $5 to $9 |
| Est. Cost (1,700 sq. ft.) | $14,000 to $30,000 | $8,500 to $15,300 |
| Maintenance | Low (Rust and Mold Resistant) | Moderate (Rot and Granule Loss) |
FAQs About Metal Shingle Roofs
How much does a metal shingle roof cost in Florida?
A metal shingle roof costs $7 to $15 per square foot installed. For an average 1,700 sq. ft. Florida home that is $14,000 to $30,000, with most jobs landing near $25,000.
How much do metal shingles cost per square?
A roofing square is 100 square feet, so metal shingles run $700 to $1,500 per square installed. Materials alone are $500 to $1,100 per square.
How long do metal shingles last compared to asphalt?
Metal shingles last about double. An architectural asphalt roof lasts 20 to 25 years; a metal shingle roof lasts 40 to 70 years, 50 on average, making it a one-and-done roof for many homeowners.
Can metal shingle roofs withstand hurricanes?
Yes. Metal shingles are rated for winds up to 170 mph, above the 157 mph threshold for a Category 5 hurricane. Asphalt shingles are rated for 110 to 130 mph.
Is there a metal roof that looks like shingles?
Yes: stone-coated steel shingles. The steel is finished with bonded stone granules, the same texture as asphalt, so from the street it reads as a shingle, shake or tile roof. It is the most common metal shingle we install in Florida.
Can you mix metal and asphalt shingles on one roof?
You can, and some homeowners put metal on the sections that take the most weather. The two materials age at different rates and carry different warranties, so read our guide to shingle and metal roof combinations before you decide.
Do metal shingles rust?
Quality metal shingles are steel coated in a protective alloy such as Galvalume, then painted or stone-coated, which makes them highly rust resistant. Aluminum shingles cannot rust at all, which is why we recommend them close to the coast. The exposed fasteners are the part to keep an eye on.
Get a Free Quote for a Metal Shingle Roof
There is no roofing material quite like metal shingles. By pairing the look of traditional asphalt with the protection of steel, a metal shingle roof lets you have it all. The next step is a free, no-obligation roofing estimate, and we make that easy.
Call us at (727) 677-4824 or schedule your roofing estimate online. We will send someone to inspect your roof, walk you through metal shingle options, and prepare a detailed quote. If you would rather skip the visit, sign up for an online-only estimate that measures your roof from satellite images.
Whatever works best for you, PITCH has your back. If you are considering a metal shingle roof replacement, reach out to our team today. As a locally owned and operated business, we are the veteran Florida roofers you want on your home.
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Sources
- Exposed Fastener Metal Roof mcelroymetal.com
- Mold on Asphalt Shingles bbroofingsolutions.com
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