There's No Universal Winner, Only the Right Fit
For the majority of West Michigan homes, architectural asphalt shingles remain the smart, cost-effective choice. They handle our freeze-thaw cycles well, install quickly, cost a fraction of what metal does, and deliver strong resale value. About nine out of ten roofs we install in the Grand Rapids area are asphalt for exactly these reasons.
That said, metal wins on lifespan and lake-effect performance. If you plan to stay in your home for decades, own a steep-pitch or lakeshore property that battles heavy snow and ice dams, or want the standing seam look, a metal roof can be the better long-term investment even at three to five times the up-front price.
The rest of this page breaks down each factor so you can decide with confidence. Every figure here is a West Michigan planning estimate, not a quote. We confirm your real number with a free on-site inspection.
The Question Under the Question
Asphalt or metal gets treated like the whole decision, and that's by design. Shingle and panel manufacturers spend hundreds of millions of dollars combined marketing materials, and plenty of roofing companies are effectively their sales force. But done right from the beginning, whichever you pick could be one of the last roofs you ever put on, or at least the last one that house needs. Done wrong, it won't be: every year we replace roofs installed within the last five to ten years, because somebody thought a roof is just a roof, or because a seller wanted the cheapest "new roof" a listing could claim.
Design and installation move the numbers on both sides. On the right house, with the right shingle and the right system under it, we can realistically deliver an asphalt roof that goes 30 to 35 years, possibly more. And metal, for all its life, is not the maintenance-free roof it's marketed as. Pipe boots are still neoprene. Counter flashing and other details still rely on sealant. The panels still move with every temperature swing. There is no totally maintenance-free roof. What a properly designed metal roof does is stretch that maintenance out as far as it can go, and that stretch is designed in, not bought off a shelf.
The one rule that holds across every material: spending more up front, on the system and the people installing it, almost always returns more over the long term. In money, in years, and in headaches you never have.
Asphalt vs Metal at a Glance
A side-by-side comparison of how the two systems perform on the factors that matter most in West Michigan.
| Factor | Asphalt Shingles | Metal Roofing | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $5 to $10+ per sq ft | Starts around $12, can exceed $25 to $30 per sq ft | Asphalt |
| Lifespan in Michigan | 20 to 30 years rated | 40 to 70 years | Metal |
| Lifetime cost | Lower up front, one more replacement | Higher up front, rarely replaced twice | Metal |
| Snow and ice shedding | Holds snow, ice dam risk | Sheds snow, far fewer ice dams | Metal |
| Energy and summer heat | Absorbs heat | Reflects heat, cooler attic | Metal |
| Curb appeal and style range | Traditional, many colors | Modern or farmhouse standing seam | Tie |
| Repairs and availability | Simple, inexpensive, one section at a time | Specialized, panels must match | Asphalt |
| Noise in rain and hail | Quiet | Quiet over solid decking | Tie |
| Resale value | Expected, strong return | Premium selling point | Tie |
Want the full pricing picture? Compare our metal roof cost and roof replacement cost breakdowns.
Where Each Material Shines, and Struggles
Asphalt Shingles
The West Michigan workhorse. Proven, affordable, and simple to service.
Strengths
- Lowest up-front cost, the West Michigan default
- Fast one-to-three-day installation
- Architectural shingles handle freeze-thaw well
- Huge color and style selection
- Simple, affordable repairs
- Strong, predictable resale value
Trade-offs
- Shorter lifespan than metal
- Holds snow, so ice dams are a real risk without a proper system
- Granule loss and curling accelerate with age
- Will likely be replaced once more in your lifetime
Metal Roofing
The long-life premium option. Snow-shedding and very low maintenance.
Strengths
- 40 to 70 year lifespan, often a once-and-done roof
- Sheds lake-effect snow and resists ice dams
- Reflects summer heat for a cooler attic
- Class A fire rating and superior wind resistance
- Standing seam is a genuine curb-appeal upgrade
- UL 2218 Class 4 impact-rated panels available, with possible insurance discounts
Trade-offs
- Three to five times the up-front cost of asphalt
- Few crews are trained to install it correctly, and the mistakes leak years later
- Panels must be color-matched for later repairs
- Sheds snow in heavy sheets, so snow retention has to be designed in, and we design it into every metal roof
- Oil-canning can show on lower-gauge panels, which is why we install 24-gauge
Snow, Ice Dams & Energy in West Michigan
West Michigan gets hammered with lake-effect snow. Grand Rapids averages around 75 inches a year, and lakeshore towns like Grand Haven and Holland see more. That makes winter performance a real deciding factor, not a footnote.
Ice dams form when attic heat melts snow, the water runs down, and it refreezes at the cold eave. Asphalt holds snow on the roof, so it needs ice and water shield run past where the dam forms and balanced attic ventilation to stay protected. Metal sheds snow before it can pile up, which dramatically reduces ice dam risk. It's a real advantage, not a cure: ice dams start in the attic, and a metal roof over a badly vented attic still ices at the eaves. We fix the attic on every metal job.
On energy, metal reflects summer sun and keeps attics cooler, while asphalt absorbs heat. The difference is modest on a well-ventilated roof, but it's one more point in metal's favor over a long ownership horizon.
The Real Math Over 50 Years
Metal costs three to five times as much to install, and homeowners assume that's the material. It's mostly not. On a metal roof, every edge, valley, hip, and penetration is a custom-formed detail, and that fabrication work moves five to ten times slower than shingles. Here's how the long math shakes out.
Asphalt Over 50 Years
An asphalt roof rated 20 to 30 years means a home goes through two or three roofs over 50 years, each priced at that year's material and labor costs, plus the disruption of each tear-off and repairs in between. The lower barrier to entry is exactly why it stays the popular choice, and for anyone who may move within 10 to 15 years, it's the right one.
Metal Over 50 Years
One standing seam roof, 40 to 70 years, covers the same span. Factor in very low maintenance and better energy performance, and the cost per year can land close to asphalt for homeowners who stay put. Whether the math works comes down to one thing: how long you plan to be in the house. See the full metal roof cost breakdown.
What Buyers Pay For
A new roof of either type is one of the strongest returns you can make before selling. In the West Michigan market, a fresh, warrantied asphalt roof reassures buyers and inspectors and recovers a large share of its cost. It's the expected standard, so an aging roof costs you at the negotiating table more than a new one adds a premium.
A metal roof is a genuine differentiator, especially on higher-end Ada, Forest Hills, and lakeshore homes. A buyer walking into your house in year 15 is buying a roof with 30 or 40 years left in it, and buyers pay for that.
Our West Michigan Recommendation
Choose Asphalt If
- You want the best value up front
- You may move within 10 to 15 years
- You want the widest color and style range
- Simple, low-cost future repairs matter to you
Choose Metal If
- You plan to stay for decades
- Heavy snow or ice dams are a recurring problem
- You want the farmhouse or modern standing seam look
- Lowest lifetime maintenance is the priority
Honestly? For most homes we protect across Grand Rapids, Holland, Hudsonville, and Rockford, a quality architectural asphalt roof is the right call. But we install both, with our own trained people, and we'll tell you straight which one fits your roof, your timeline, and your budget.
Schedule Your Free Roof InspectionExplore Materials & Costs
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
The most popular roofing system in West Michigan explained.
Learn MoreMetal Roofing
Standing seam and metal systems for our climate.
Learn MoreMetal Roof Cost
Detailed pricing for metal roofing installs.
Learn MoreRoof Replacement
Our full tear-off and replacement service.
Learn MoreAsphalt vs Metal Questions
Is metal roofing worth it in West Michigan?
For homeowners planning to stay for decades, especially on steep-pitch or lakeshore homes that battle heavy lake-effect snow and ice dams, metal is often worth the cost. It lasts 40 to 70 years, sheds snow, and rarely needs replacing in your lifetime. For homeowners who may move within 10 to 15 years or want the lowest up-front price, a quality architectural asphalt roof usually makes more sense. Either way, we'll do the math with you honestly.
How much more does metal cost than asphalt?
In West Michigan, architectural asphalt runs $5 to $10-plus per square foot installed as a complete system, while standing seam metal starts around $12 and can exceed $25 to $30 on complex roofs, three to five times asphalt on the same house. Most of that gap is labor, not panels: every edge, valley, hip, and penetration on a metal roof is a hand-fabricated detail, and the crew moves five to ten times slower. See our metal roof cost page for detailed pricing.
Which roof handles Michigan snow and ice dams better?
Metal has the edge on winter performance. Panels shed snow before it piles up, which dramatically reduces ice dam risk, and we design snow retention into every metal roof so those sheets don't come off onto your gutters or your deck. Asphalt holds snow, so it relies on ice and water shield run past where the dam forms and balanced attic ventilation. Done right, that still protects the home very effectively, because ice dams start in the attic on either roof.
Does a metal or asphalt roof add more resale value?
Both add strong value. A new, warrantied asphalt roof is the expected standard and recovers a large share of its cost by removing a buyer objection. A metal roof is a genuine premium differentiator on higher-end Ada, Forest Hills, and lakeshore homes, because the buyer is purchasing a roof with decades left in it. The right choice depends on your neighborhood and how long you plan to stay.
Is a metal roof noisy when it rains?
Not on a modern residential install. Over solid decking with underlayment, the way we build them, rain and hail noise is comparable to an asphalt roof. The tin-roof sound people remember comes from panels screwed over open framing on old barns and sheds.
Which roofing material does Stellar Roofing Company recommend?
For the majority of West Michigan homes, quality architectural asphalt for its value, fast installation, and dependable resale return. Metal for homeowners staying long-term, fighting recurring ice dams, or wanting the standing seam look. We install both with our own trained people, which is exactly why the recommendation you get after a free inspection is about your roof, not our sales sheet.