Metal Roof vs Asphalt Shingles: Which Is Right for Your Inland Northwest Home?

Two Quality Roofing Systems, One Right Choice for Your Home

What Russell Quality Roofing Installs

Owens Corning Architectural Shingles and Standing Seam Metal

At Russell Quality Roofing, we specialize in installing two trusted roofing materials for homeowners throughout the Inland Northwest: Owens Corning architectural asphalt shingles and standing seam metal roofing.

Whether you are weighing a metal or asphalt roof for a full replacement, both options offer distinct benefits, and we bring the certification and installation experience needed to do either roofing type correctly. This guide walks through metal and asphalt roofs side by side so you can understand what separates the two.

Why the Right Choice Depends on Your Home and Your Goals

Choosing between metal roofing and asphalt shingles depends on several factors such as:

• Your home’s architectural style
• Roof pitch
• Local weather exposure
• How long you plan to stay in the home

Our goal is to walk you through these differences honestly so you can make the decision that actually fits your situation, not just the one that sounds best in a sales pitch.

Owens Corning Asphalt Architectural Shingles

How Architectural Shingles Are Built and How They Perform

Owens Corning architectural shingles are laminated, multi-layered shingles engineered for enhanced durability and weather resistance. Asphalt shingles typically represent the more accessible starting point for a new asphalt roof compared to metal roofing materials, and shingle grade plays a significant role in both material quality and long-term performance. Higher-grade, luxury asphalt shingles, like the premium lines in Owens Corning’s collection, are built with thicker laminate layers and stronger wind ratings than standard-grade shingles. They offer strong protection against wind, rain, and UV exposure, which makes them well suited to Inland Northwest conditions.

The Look and Color Options for Your Home

These shingles come in a wide range of colors and styles, and asphalt shingle roofs work well across many architectural styles, from classic to modern. Owens Corning’s diverse line of shingles includes premium architectural options that enhance curb appeal while maintaining lasting performance, appealing to homeowners who prefer a more traditional roofing material.

👉 Check Out Our Top Tips on How to Pick a Roof Color for Your Home

Long-Term Performance Backed by Modern Owens Corning Technology

Even high-quality asphalt shingles will experience some granule loss from UV exposure and weather cycling over the decades, and damaged shingles occasionally need replacing well before the full roof reaches the end of its service life. In damp climates, moss growth can also become an issue if a roof does not get adequate sun and airflow, and asphalt shingles may require moss removal and light cleaning as part of routine upkeep.

Compared to metal roofing, asphalt shingles tend to need more frequent maintenance and, over a multi-decade ownership period, more frequent replacement. Owens Corning’s engineered shingles resist cracking, curling, and premature granule loss significantly better than traditional asphalt products, but no asphalt shingle is entirely maintenance free.

Warranty Coverage: 50-Year Product and 25-Year Labor

When you choose Owens Corning architectural shingles with Russell Quality Roofing, your system includes a 50-year product warranty and a 25-year labor warranty, with a one-time transfer option if you sell your home.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

How Standing Seam Metal Roofing Works

Standing seam metal roofing features interlocking metal panels with raised seams that run vertically from the ridge to the eaves. This design allows the panels to expand and contract with temperature changes while maintaining a sleek, modern appearance. Installing a metal roof is a more involved installation process than an asphalt roof and generally takes longer to complete. Metal roofing requires specialized skills, precise handling of panel expansion, and proper sealing, all of which increase labor costs and overall installation costs compared to asphalt shingle installation. This is one of the main reasons metal roofing costs more upfront than an asphalt roof of the same size.

High Wind Resistance and Snow Performance for Inland Northwest Weather

Metal roofing is extremely durable and highly resistant to extreme weather conditions, including high winds, fire, and hail, and it sheds snow more efficiently than asphalt shingles. The smooth surface of standing seam panels helps prevent the kind of snow buildup that leads to ice dams. On steep roofs in snowy areas, snow guards may be recommended to prevent sudden snow avalanching off the roof surface. In the Inland Northwest’s climate specifically, metal roofs tend to outperform asphalt shingles in snow management, which is a meaningful consideration given how much snow load our region sees each winter.

Durability and Lower Maintenance Compared to Asphalt Shingles

Standing seam metal roofing offers exceptional durability and minimal maintenance requirements compared to asphalt shingles. Metal roofs require far less frequent maintenance over their service life and resist rot and insect damage in ways asphalt cannot. Well-maintained metal roofing materials can last 40 to 70 years or more, a significantly longer lifespan than most other roofing materials on the market.

After severe weather, we recommend inspecting the roof surface for panel or flashing damage as a routine check. Some metal systems may need recoating after many years, and metal roofs can be louder during heavy rain without proper underlayment and insulation, which is worth factoring into your decision if that matters to you.

Supervised by MBCI-Certified Superintendents

Our superintendents are MBCI certified for metal roofing installation, ensuring your metal roof receives professional installation using proper industry practices. Because metal roofing requires specialized skills and precise technique, working with a reputable roofing contractor genuinely matters for long-term performance, more so than with asphalt shingles.

A Note on Metal Roofing Warranties

Metal roofing warranties vary depending on the manufacturer and system installed. These warranties are separate from Owens Corning’s architectural shingle coverage and are not interchangeable. We will review the specific warranty details that apply to your project during your consultation.

How to Decide Between Metal and Asphalt for Your Home

Your Home’s Style and the Look You Want

The architectural style of your home often points toward the better fit. Asphalt shingles offer versatile aesthetics suited to many traditional and contemporary homes. Metal roofing fits more architectural styles than many homeowners expect, delivering a distinctive, modern look that stands out on the street. Some metal profiles, including metal shingles, are designed to visually resemble other roofing materials while retaining the performance benefits of a metal system.

Your Roof’s Slope and Structure

Roof pitch and structural considerations influence which system makes sense, and roof complexity is one of the biggest factors affecting both installation costs and overall replacement costs regardless of which material you choose. Standing seam metal roofing adapts well to a range of slopes and performs especially well on steeper roofs, while asphalt shingles are well suited to typical residential roof pitches. Steeper metal installations may call for snow guards, and the condition of your existing shingles and underlying structure should always be evaluated before deciding between materials.

How Long You Plan to Stay in Your Home

If you plan to stay in your home long term, metal roofing can offer long-term value, though it carries a high upfront cost compared to an asphalt roof of the same size. Pricing for both materials is generally discussed per square during your estimate, since square foot pricing accounts for roof size, complexity, and the specific product you choose. For homeowners planning a shorter stay, or working with a tighter project budget, asphalt shingles remain a reliable and cost effective solution. Even with the tradeoff of more frequent maintenance and eventual replacement sooner than a metal system.

Heat, Climate, and a Brief Note on Energy Considerations

Energy efficiency is a common question homeowners raise when comparing metal and asphalt roofs. In general roofing science, energy efficient, lighter-colored metal roofing surfaces tend to reflect more solar heat than dark asphalt shingles, which absorb more heat by comparison. This is sometimes cited as a reason metal roofs are considered better suited to warmer climates. We do not note specific energy savings figures for either roofing material, since actual impact on energy costs and energy bills depends on many variables beyond the roof itself, including attic insulation, ventilation, and home orientation. If energy performance and long-term energy costs are a priority for your project, it is worth discussing directly with our team so you get an honest picture.

Environmental Considerations

Some homeowners researching green roofing options are drawn to metal roofing specifically because of its material composition. As a general material fact, metal roofing is often made from recycled materials and is itself fully recyclable at the end of its service life. Asphalt shingles are petroleum-based, and older shingles removed during tear-off are disposed of per local requirements. Neither of these facts should be the deciding factor in choosing between metal and asphalt roofs, but they are worth knowing if sustainability is part of your decision-making process.

Financing Your Roofing Project

We offer financing through third-party providers, including Service Finance, GreenSky, and Regions. Current options include a 6-month same as cash plan, with rates starting at 9.99 to 11.99% on approved credit. Russell Quality Roofing is not the lender. Financing is provided and managed entirely by our third-party partners.

What Both Systems Include When Russell Quality Roofing Installs Them

Full Tear-Off Every Time

Every roof replacement we perform includes a complete tear-off of the existing roofing materials. We do not install over existing layers. This ensures a clean, solid surface for your new roof and keeps the project in compliance with local codes.

Owens Corning UDL 50 Underlayment and Seasonal Ice and Water Shield

We install Owens Corning UDL 50 synthetic underlayment across every roof deck, regardless of which system you choose. Ice and water shield is applied in the areas most vulnerable to leaks. From October through March, we switch to a flexible ice and water shield designed for cold-weather performance, a seasonal adjustment many roofing contractors skip.

Photo and Video Documentation and Thorough Cleanup

We document your project with photos and videos as needed for your records. After completion, we perform a thorough cleanup, including a magnetic sweep to remove stray nails to the best of our ability.

Still Not Sure? Let Us Help You Choose

If you are still weighing metal roofing against asphalt shingles for your Inland Northwest home, we are glad to walk through durability, upfront investment, maintenance expectations, and how each system performs in our specific climate based on your actual roof, not a generic comparison chart. Call Russell Quality Roofing at (208) 791-5252 or email quotes@rssllc-construction.com for a free estimate.

We proudly serve Lewiston and Clarkston, Moscow and Pullman, Spokane and Spokane Valley, and surrounding areas across the Inland Northwest.

Russell Quality Roofing: Built on Trust, Backed by Expertise.