Is a metal roof noisier than shingles in the rain?

Over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic, most homeowners find a metal roof isn't much louder than shingles. Metal installed over open framing, like on a barn or porch, is much louder.

Are architectural shingles good for snowy winters?

Yes. Architectural asphalt shingles are the most common roof on homes in our area. Installed with ice and water barrier at the eaves and proper ventilation, they handle NJ and NEPA winters well.

Metal Roofing or Shingle Roofing: Which Is Better for Your Home?

By the Allabaugh Construction team · January 17, 2022 · Updated September 25, 2026

When it's time to choose a roofing material, you want the one that fits your home, your budget and how long you plan to stay. Metal and asphalt shingles are two of the most common choices for homes, and each has real advantages. Here's what you should know about both.

A quick note before we start: Allabaugh Construction installs architectural asphalt shingles and EPDM flat roofing. We wrote this comparison to help you understand your options.

What Are the Advantages of Metal Roofing?

Metal roofs are known for their durability and long lifespan. They shed snow well, resist wind, and don't rot. In places that see a lot of severe weather, many homeowners choose metal for that reason.

Metal can also help with summer cooling costs. Metal roofs, especially lighter colors or those with reflective coatings, reflect more of the sun's heat than a typical dark shingle, which can reduce the heat that reaches your attic.

Metal also has environmental benefits. It often contains recycled content and can be recycled again at the end of its life, while asphalt shingles are made with petroleum-based asphalt.

What Are the Advantages of Shingle Roofing?

The biggest advantage of asphalt shingles is cost. A shingle roof generally costs considerably less up front than a metal roof on the same home, which is a big reason it's the most common residential roof in the country and in our area.

Shingles are also widely installed and repaired. Almost every roofer works with them, parts are easy to find, and a damaged section can usually be repaired without special panels or tools. Metal roofing, especially standing-seam, takes specialized equipment and experience to install properly.

Asphalt shingles also offer lots of styles and colors. Architectural shingles have a thicker, dimensional look that suits everything from a Cape Cod to a large colonial. If you want to understand the different shingle types, read our guide on which types of asphalt shingles are best for residential roofing.

How Our Winters Factor In

Both materials can handle New Jersey and Northeast Pennsylvania weather when installed correctly. With shingles, the details that matter most here are ice and water barrier along the eaves, good flashing and balanced roof ventilation. Those keep ice dams and condensation from shortening the roof's life. With metal, snow can slide off in large sheets, so snow guards over doors and walkways are often a good idea.

Which Is Better for Your Home?

Both metal and shingles have real benefits. If lowest lifetime maintenance matters most and your budget allows, metal is worth looking into with a metal specialist. If you want a durable, good-looking roof at a lower up-front cost, architectural asphalt shingles are hard to beat.

If shingles are the right fit, we can help. Our roof replacements use architectural asphalt shingles installed by a GAF-certified crew, backed by a lifetime manufacturer's warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty. We work throughout Mercer County, NJ and Lackawanna County, PA. Call NJ (609) 477-0487 or PA (814) 330-4897, or try our Instant Roof Quote.