Ten years ago, metal roofing in Charlotte was mostly for barns, commercial buildings, and the occasional farmhouse. That has changed. More and more homeowners across the Charlotte metro — from South Charlotte to Lake Norman, from Ballantyne to Mooresville — are seriously considering metal when it is time for a new roof.
But asphalt shingles still go on roughly 80% of residential roofs here. They have decades of proven performance, cost less upfront, and every roofer in Charlotte can install them.
So which one makes sense for your home? Here is a side-by-side comparison covering cost, lifespan, durability, energy efficiency, appearance, and the practical tradeoffs Charlotte homeowners need to think about.
Cost: The Upfront Numbers
For a typical 2,000 square foot home in Charlotte:
- Asphalt architectural shingles: $10,000 – $14,000 installed (GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark)
- Standing seam metal: $18,000 – $25,000 installed
- Metal shingles (stamped panels): $15,000 – $20,000 installed
Metal costs 50-100% more upfront. That is the biggest barrier for most homeowners. For a full cost breakdown including what affects the price, read our 2025 Charlotte roof cost guide.
But upfront cost is only half the equation. A metal roof lasts 2-3 times longer than asphalt, which means you are paying for one roof instead of two or three over the same time period. The question is whether you plan to stay in the house long enough for that math to work in your favor.
Lifespan: How Long Each Material Lasts
Asphalt shingles last 20-30 years in Charlotte's climate. Three-tab shingles are on the shorter end (15-20 years). Premium architectural shingles can hit 30 years if they are properly installed and your attic is well ventilated. Charlotte's hot summers accelerate the aging of asphalt — the UV exposure and heat cycles break down the organic compounds in the shingles faster than in cooler climates.
Metal roofing lasts 40-70 years, depending on the type and coating. Standing seam steel with a Kynar 500 finish can go 50+ years without needing replacement. Aluminum lasts even longer because it does not rust, but it costs more and dents easier. Metal shingle panels fall in the 30-50 year range.
Here is the math: if you put on an asphalt roof today at $12,000 and it lasts 25 years, then put on another one at $15,000 (inflation), you have spent $27,000 over 50 years. A metal roof at $22,000 that lasts 50 years costs less over the same period. The catch is you need to live there long enough to see the payoff — or the next buyer needs to value the metal roof enough to pay more for the house.
Durability: Handling Charlotte's Weather
Charlotte's weather throws everything at your roof: 95-degree summer heat, heavy thunderstorms, hail, occasional ice, and wind gusts that can top 70 mph in severe storms. Here is how each material handles it.
Wind Resistance
Metal wins here. Standing seam metal roofing is rated for 140+ mph wind speeds. The panels interlock mechanically, and there are no individual shingle tabs to catch the wind and peel back. Asphalt shingles with proper installation and high-wind ratings (GAF HDZ, Owens Corning Duration) handle up to 130 mph, which is still very good. But after a major windstorm in Charlotte, you will see asphalt shingles blown off roofs. You rarely see a metal roof lose panels.
Hail Resistance
This one is more nuanced. Asphalt shingles absorb hail impact — the granules get knocked off and the shingles bruise, which eventually leads to leaks. Large hail (1 inch+) can crack shingles outright. Metal roofing does not crack or lose protective coating from hail, but it can dent. On a standing seam roof, cosmetic dents usually do not affect performance. On exposed fastener metal, a big dent near a screw hole could let water in. CertainTeed's NorthGate shingle (Class 4 impact rating) is the best asphalt option for hail resistance.
Heat and UV
Charlotte gets intense sun from May through September. Asphalt shingles absorb heat and transfer it into your attic. That heat buildup ages the shingles from below and raises your cooling costs. Metal reflects a significant portion of solar radiation. A metal roof with a reflective coating can reduce your attic temperature by 20-30 degrees on a hot day, which translates directly to lower AC bills.
Water and Moisture
Charlotte averages about 43 inches of rain per year. Metal roofing sheds water faster than asphalt because the surface is slick and continuous. There are fewer seams and no individual shingle edges where water can back up. For homes with lower roof pitches, metal's water-shedding ability is a real advantage. Asphalt shingles are fine on standard pitches (4/12 and above) but can have issues on lower slopes where water moves more slowly.
Energy Efficiency
Metal roofing is significantly more energy efficient than asphalt in Charlotte's climate. Here is why:
- Reflectivity: Metal roofs with a light-colored or reflective coating (Energy Star rated) reflect 25-40% of the sun's energy. Dark asphalt shingles absorb most of it.
- Emissivity: Metal radiates absorbed heat back out faster than asphalt. Even after sunset, an asphalt roof is still dumping stored heat into your attic. A metal roof cools down much quicker.
- Energy bill savings: Charlotte homeowners with metal roofs report 10-25% lower cooling costs in summer. On a $200/month summer electric bill, that is $20-$50 per month savings, or $100-$250 per cooling season.
Over 25 years, energy savings from a metal roof in Charlotte can add up to $2,500-$6,000. It does not fully close the upfront cost gap, but it narrows it.
Appearance: What Each Looks Like
This is the most subjective part of the decision, and it depends heavily on your neighborhood and home style.
Asphalt shingles give you the traditional residential look that fits in everywhere. The newer architectural shingles have a dimensional, textured appearance that looks much better than the flat 3-tab shingles from the past. Color options are extensive — CertainTeed alone offers 20+ colors in their Landmark line. In neighborhoods with HOA restrictions, asphalt is almost always the default approved material.
Metal roofing has a distinct look. Standing seam is the most popular style for homes — clean vertical lines with a modern, sharp appearance. It works well on contemporary, farmhouse, and transitional-style homes. Metal shingles mimic the look of traditional shingles from the street and blend in better in traditional neighborhoods. Color options for metal are broad — you can get everything from classic charcoal to bright barn red.
The biggest appearance concern homeowners have is matching the neighborhood. In a subdivision full of asphalt roofs in South Charlotte, a standing seam metal roof will stand out. That is either a plus (curb appeal, differentiation) or a negative (does not fit the neighborhood character), depending on your perspective and your HOA's opinion. Metal shingles are a good compromise — you get the performance of metal with a look that blends in.
HOA Rules in Charlotte
This is a real factor that many homeowners do not consider until they are deep into the quoting process. Many Charlotte-area HOAs — especially in Ballantyne, Piper Glen, Providence Plantation, Cameron Wood, and communities throughout Weddington and Marvin — have architectural review requirements for roofing.
Some HOAs explicitly prohibit metal roofing. Others allow it but require approval of the specific product, color, and style. A few newer HOAs are actually encouraging metal roofing for its longevity and energy benefits. Check your HOA covenants before getting quotes, and ask your roofer if they have installed metal roofs in your specific community before.
Noise: The Myth and the Reality
One of the most common objections to metal roofing is noise. "I don't want to hear the rain." Here is the reality: a modern metal roof installed over a solid decking with proper underlayment is not noticeably louder than an asphalt roof during rain. The old-school image of a tin roof on a barn — where you can hear every raindrop — is because those roofs are installed over open framing with no insulation and no decking. Residential metal roofing with plywood decking, synthetic underlayment, and attic insulation deadens the sound to the point where most homeowners cannot tell the difference.
During a severe hailstorm, you may notice metal is louder. But during a severe hailstorm, you have bigger concerns than noise.
Resale Value
Both materials add value to your home, but in different ways.
A new asphalt shingle roof removes a red flag for buyers. Buyers expect asphalt, and a new one checks the box. The return on investment for a new asphalt roof is roughly 60-70% of the cost at resale — meaning a $12,000 roof adds about $7,000-$8,400 to your home's value.
A metal roof can add more value, but it depends on the market. In areas where metal is common and appreciated — like Lake Norman lakefront homes or newer construction in Mooresville — buyers will pay a premium for it. In a traditional subdivision where every other house has asphalt, buyers may not value it as highly because it looks different. The return on investment for metal roofing nationally averages around 60-65%, but in markets where it is desirable, it can exceed 80%.
Maintenance Requirements
Asphalt shingles need periodic attention: cleaning debris from valleys, checking for lifted or missing shingles after storms, clearing gutters, and watching for algae growth. A professional inspection every few years is a good idea, especially once the roof passes the 15-year mark.
Metal roofing is lower maintenance. There are no shingles to blow off, no granules to wash away, and algae does not grow on metal. You still need to keep gutters clear, check fasteners and sealant at penetrations periodically, and make sure nothing is rubbing against the panels (overhanging tree limbs). But overall, metal requires less ongoing attention than asphalt.
Which One Should You Pick?
There is no universal right answer. But here is a framework that Charlotte roofers tend to agree on:
Go with asphalt shingles if:
- Budget is the primary concern
- You plan to sell the house within the next 10 years
- Your HOA does not allow metal
- You want the widest selection of colors and styles
- Blending in with the neighborhood matters
Go with metal if:
- You plan to stay in the house for 15+ years
- You want to minimize long-term maintenance
- Energy efficiency is a priority
- Your area is prone to high winds or severe storms
- You want the last roof you will ever put on
Either way, the most important factor is choosing the right contractor. A well-installed asphalt roof will outperform a poorly installed metal roof every time. Get quotes from licensed Charlotte roofing companies who have experience with the material you are considering, and make sure they carry the right manufacturer certifications. For a deeper dive into the shingle brands themselves, check our GAF vs Owens Corning vs CertainTeed comparison.
And if you are ready to start getting numbers, request a free quote from rated contractors in the Charlotte area. Most will quote both asphalt and metal so you can compare the options side by side for your specific house.