Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: What Pennsylvania Homeowners Should Know

By Appalachian Exteriors

If you're considering a roof replacement in Gettysburg or anywhere in South Central Pennsylvania, you'll eventually have to answer one question: metal or shingles? This guide covers the real differences — not just the talking points.

Asphalt shingles are what most roofs in Pennsylvania are made of. They’re familiar, widely available, and less expensive upfront. Metal roofing is the alternative that more homeowners are choosing — and for good reason.

But neither option is right for everyone. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how they compare, written for homeowners in South Central Pennsylvania where the climate, property types, and building styles create specific considerations.

Lifespan: the most important number

This is where the comparison starts to favor metal significantly.

• Asphalt shingles: 20–30 years under typical Pennsylvania conditions — and that’s with decent installation and some maintenance. Cheaper 3-tab shingles often underperform that range.
• Metal roofing: 40–70+ years with proper installation. A metal roof put on a home in Gettysburg today may never need to be replaced in the original owner’s lifetime.

The math matters here. Over a 60-year period, a homeowner with shingles will likely replace their roof two to three times. A homeowner with a metal roof installs it once. The upfront cost difference looks different when you account for two future shingle replacements, each with its own labor and material costs.

Performance in Pennsylvania weather

South Central Pennsylvania isn’t the easiest climate for roofs. Winters bring heavy snow, ice dams, and freeze-thaw cycles that stress roofing materials. Summers bring heat, humidity, and severe storms. Both materials handle these conditions — but not equally.

Snow and ice

Metal roofs shed snow and ice significantly faster than asphalt shingles. The smooth surface and thermal properties of steel allow snow to slide off before it accumulates to damaging weight. Ice dams — a common problem on older homes in Adams and Franklin County — are far less likely to form on a steel roof than on shingles.

Shingles hold snow longer. That’s a structural load concern on older homes and agricultural buildings with larger roof spans.

Wind

A correctly installed steel roof performs better in high winds than a shingle roof. Individual shingles can lift, crack, or blow off in storms. Metal panels are fastened as a system and don’t have the same vulnerability to wind uplift.

Heat and humidity

Steel panels reflect a significant portion of solar heat, which can reduce summer cooling costs. Asphalt shingles absorb heat. In a Pennsylvania summer, that difference shows up in energy bills.

Freeze-thaw cycles

This is where asphalt shingles take the most abuse over time. The repeated expansion and contraction of freeze-thaw cycles causes shingles to crack, curl, and lose granules. Steel isn’t affected by temperature cycling in the same way.

Upfront cost

There’s no getting around it: metal roofing costs more upfront than asphalt shingles. In South Central Pennsylvania, residential metal roof installations typically run $550–$900 per roofing square. Asphalt shingles typically run $350–$500 per square depending on the product.

For a 25-square roof, that’s a difference of roughly $12,000–$25,000 at the time of installation. That’s real money. But it’s the wrong number to compare in isolation — see the lifetime cost section below.

Maintenance

• Asphalt shingles: Require regular attention. Moss and algae growth is common in Pennsylvania’s humid climate. Granule loss accelerates aging. Individual shingles crack, curl, and blow off and need to be matched and replaced. Flashing fails. Gutters clog with granules.
• Metal roofing: Requires very little. No moss. No granule loss. No cracked shingles. Occasional inspection of fasteners and sealant on penetrations is about the extent of it. Most homeowners with metal roofs don’t think about their roof at all between installations.

Which is right for your property?

The honest answer depends on your situation. Here’s how to think about it:

Metal roofing makes more sense if:

• You plan to stay in the home long-term and want to avoid ever dealing with a roof again
• You have an agricultural building, barn, or pole structure that needs decades of reliable performance
• Your current roof has ice dam problems or snow load concerns
• You want to minimize long-term maintenance and total lifetime cost
• You’re building new construction and want to spec the right material from the start

Asphalt shingles may make more sense if:

• You have a shorter-term ownership horizon and the upfront cost difference matters significantly
• Your roof has complex geometry with many penetrations, dormers, and valleys that make metal installation substantially more expensive
• You’re working with a tight budget and need to address the roof now with plans to upgrade later

A note on agricultural properties

If you’re a farm owner in Adams County or Franklin County deciding on a roof for a barn, pole building, or agricultural structure, the comparison is less balanced. Metal is almost always the right answer for farm buildings. The lifespan, maintenance profile, and performance under agricultural conditions make shingles a poor long-term choice for working farm structures. Most farms in this region that put shingles on outbuildings end up replacing them in 15–20 years under conditions that are harder on roofing than a typical residence.

The bottom line

Metal roofing costs more upfront and lasts significantly longer. Asphalt shingles cost less now and cost more over time. For homeowners in South Central Pennsylvania who are planning to stay in their home, metal is usually the better long-term decision. For homeowners with shorter time horizons or tight current budgets, shingles are a reasonable choice with eyes open on the tradeoffs.

Not sure which is right for you? We’re happy to walk through the options for your specific property. We’ll give you an honest read on what makes sense — not just a pitch for the more expensive option.