Asphalt Shingles vs. Metal Roof: Which Is Better for NC Homes?

For most homes in Concord and Cabarrus County, architectural asphalt shingles are the better value: they cost roughly a third to half as much as metal installed, handle Piedmont heat and wind well, and last about 22 to 30 years. A metal roof is the better choice when you plan to stay in the home for 20 years or more, want the longest possible service life, or have a low-slope or modern design where metal fits the house. Neither is "better" in every case, so the right answer depends on your budget, your timeline in the home, and your roof.

Reynolds Roofing is a roof replacement specialist and an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, and asphalt shingles are what we install most. This guide lays out both options honestly, including the cases where metal is the smarter buy, so you can make the call that fits your home and not the one that fits a sales quota.

Metal roof vs. shingles: which is better for NC homes?

Here is how the two compare on the things Concord homeowners ask about most. Prices are typical installed ranges in the Concord and greater Charlotte market, including tear-off, underlayment, and labor.

These are ranges, not quotes. Your number depends on roof size, pitch, how many layers come off, and the condition of the decking underneath. Our roofing materials page covers the shingle lines we install, and our 2026 Concord roof cost guide breaks pricing down by roof size.

What does each cost on a typical Concord home?

A typical two-story home in Concord has about 25 squares of roof (roughly 2,500 square feet of roof surface, which is more than the floor plan because of pitch and overhangs). Using the per-square ranges above, that works out to roughly:

• Architectural shingles: about $13,000 to $21,000
• Exposed-fastener metal panels: about $17,500 to $30,000
• Standing seam metal: about $30,000 to $50,000

That gap is the whole debate. Metal lasts longer, but you pay for those extra years up front. If you sell the house in eight years, most of that extra life goes to the next owner.

When shingles are the better choice

• You may move within 10 to 15 years. A new architectural roof helps a home sell, and you are not paying for decades of life you will not use.
• Budget matters. For the same money, a properly installed shingle roof with new flashing, ice and water barrier, and fixed ventilation usually beats a bare-minimum metal job.
• Your HOA has rules. Many subdivisions around Concord, Harrisburg, and Kannapolis have architectural review covenants. Shingles are almost always approved. Check before you plan a metal roof.
• The roof is complex. Lots of valleys, dormers, and hips add more labor and waste to metal than to shingles, which widens the price gap.
• You want easy repairs. A few shingles lost to a limb or a wind gust are a quick fix.

When metal is worth the extra cost

• This is your long-term home. If you plan to stay 20 years or more, a standing seam roof may be the last roof you buy, which can make the cost per year competitive with shingles.
• Low-slope sections. Porches, additions, and modern designs with shallow pitches are where standing seam really earns its keep, since shingles need a minimum slope to shed water.
• Heat and energy. Lighter-colored metal reflects sunlight, which can reduce attic heat in a Concord summer.
• Outbuildings, barns, and shops. Exposed-fastener panels are a practical, durable choice for structures where looks matter less.

How do metal and shingles handle North Carolina weather?

Cabarrus County roofs deal with long, hot summers, spring hail, gusty thunderstorms, and the wind and rain from tropical systems that reach the Charlotte region most years. Both materials can handle all of it when they are installed correctly.

• Heat: Heat dries out asphalt over time, which is why attic ventilation matters so much for shingle life. Metal does not break down from heat the same way.
• Hail: Hail that bruises a standard shingle may only dent metal. If hail is your main worry, ask about Class 4 impact-rated shingles, and ask your insurance agent whether your carrier offers a discount for an impact-rated roof.
• Wind: On both materials, the fastening pattern decides how well the roof holds. Ask any contractor how they nail or fasten, and get it in the written estimate.
• Storm claims: Cosmetic dents on a metal roof are treated differently than functional damage by many policies. Read the roof section of your policy, and see our guide to whether insurance will pay for a roof replacement.

Common metal roof myths

• "Metal roofs are loud in the rain." Installed over solid decking and underlayment, as residential metal is, a metal roof is not much louder inside than shingles.
• "Metal attracts lightning." It does not make a strike more likely. If a strike does happen, metal is noncombustible.
• "Metal can't be walked on or repaired." It can, but repairs need someone who knows the panel system, and matching an older panel color can be difficult.

How to decide for your home

1. Decide how long you will stay. Under 15 years usually points to architectural shingles. 20 years or more makes metal worth pricing out.
2. Check your HOA covenants before you fall in love with a material.
3. Look at your roof's shape and slope. Complex roofs favor shingles. Low slopes favor metal.
4. Price the whole job, not just the material. Decking repairs, flashing, ventilation, and gutters are part of the real number.
5. Get a free on-site estimate. A roofer who measures your actual roof can give you a real number in writing for the options that make sense.

If a new roof is on your list but the timing is tight, financing is available through Hearth, including 0% APR offers for qualified homeowners. Approval and terms are set by the lender, not by Reynolds Roofing.

Frequently asked questions

Is a metal roof better than shingles in North Carolina?

It depends on how long you will own the home. Architectural asphalt shingles cost far less, last about 22 to 30 years in the NC Piedmont, and are the better value for most Concord homeowners. A standing seam metal roof costs roughly two to three times as much but commonly lasts 40 years or more, so it makes the most sense if you plan to stay 20 years or longer.

How much more does a metal roof cost than shingles in Concord, NC?

In the Concord and greater Charlotte market, architectural shingles typically run about $525 to $850 per square installed, exposed-fastener metal about $700 to $1,200, and standing seam metal about $1,200 to $2,000. On a typical 25-square two-story home that is roughly $13,000 to $21,000 for shingles versus $30,000 to $50,000 for standing seam. A free on-site estimate is the only way to get a real number for your roof.

Do metal roofs hold up to hail in Cabarrus County?

Metal resists hail well and rarely leaks from it, but large hail can leave dents. Many insurance policies treat cosmetic dents differently than functional damage, so read the roof section of your policy. If hail is your main concern, Class 4 impact-rated shingles are another option to compare.

Are metal roofs noisy when it rains?

Not much. Residential metal roofs are installed over solid decking and underlayment, which dampens the sound, so most homeowners notice little difference from shingles inside the house.

Will my HOA allow a metal roof?

Some do and some do not. Many subdivisions around Concord, Harrisburg, and Kannapolis have architectural review rules that limit roofing materials or colors. Check your covenants and get written approval before you commit to a metal roof.

How long do architectural shingles last compared to metal?

Architectural shingles typically last about 22 to 30 years in the North Carolina Piedmont, depending on installation and attic ventilation. Standing seam metal commonly lasts 40 years or more, and exposed-fastener metal panels about 30 to 45 years with periodic fastener maintenance.