A metal roof lasts far longer than asphalt shingles, but in Calgary it costs nearly three times as much as a basic shingle roof to install. It’s worth it if you plan to stay in the house for decades and you’re comfortable with hail leaving dents you can see from the street.
For most families who’ll move within 15 or 20 years, a good shingle roof is the better spend. Here’s how the two compare on the things that matter here: hail, snow, wind and price.
How much more does a metal roof cost than shingles in Calgary?
The City of Calgary’s climate guide compares installed costs against a standard three-tab shingle roof. Architectural shingles run about 25% more. Steel runs about 185% more, and aluminum about 215% more.
| Roof type | Installed cost vs basic three-tab |
|---|---|
| Standard three-tab shingles | Baseline |
| Architectural shingles | About 25% more |
| Class 4 impact-rated shingles | About 45% more |
| Steel | About 185% more |
| Aluminum | About 215% more |
In real money, one Calgary homeowner in the Ask Calgary Facebook group was quoted about $30,000 for metal on a 1,700 sq ft two-storey and went with asphalt at about $9,000. A typical shingle replacement on a Calgary two-storey runs $5,000 to $15,000. Our roof replacement cost guide breaks down what moves that number.
How long does a metal roof last compared with shingles?
The City of Calgary says metal lasts up to four times longer than asphalt shingles. It puts standard three-tab shingles at up to 20 years. Architectural shingles usually outlast three-tab, but Calgary hail often ends a shingle roof before age does. Here is how long shingles really last in Calgary.
That’s where the cost maths turns. Over 40 years you might pay for two shingle roofs, with tear-off and labour both times, against one metal roof. If you’ll only own the house for 10, the extra spend on metal mostly goes to the next owner.
Does hail dent a metal roof, and does the dent matter?
Hail can dent metal, but the City says those dents don’t affect the roof underneath. The roof keeps shedding water. It just looks dinged.
Two details decide how badly it dents. Steel resists hail better than aluminum, according to the City. Thickness matters too. Thin 29-gauge panels are behind most of the “my metal roof dented” stories online, and standing seam is commonly 24 or 26 gauge. Ask for the metal type and gauge in writing on any quote.
Shingles fail differently. Hail cracks the mat or knocks off granules, which lets water in over time. That’s a leak risk, not just a looks problem. We’ve documented more than 1,200 hail claims in Calgary since 2014, so we see what each kind of damage looks like up close.
Will insurance cover hail dents on a metal roof?
Not always. Some policies treat dents on metal as cosmetic damage and exclude them, because the roof still keeps water out. That’s a question for your insurer, not your roofer.
There’s a second catch. If an insurer replaces only the dented panels, the new ones may not match the faded colour of the rest. Commenters on a YouTube video about metal roof hail claims describe ending up with a striped roof. Ask your insurer how they handle matching before you choose metal.
What about impact-rated shingles as a middle option?
They’re the option the City of Calgary points to most strongly for hail. Its guide says Class 4 impact-rated shingles cut the chance of hail damage by about 15 times compared with standard asphalt, for about 45% more than a basic roof. It says they pay for themselves in about five years.
That’s a much smaller jump than metal. Some insurers also discount premiums for impact-rated roofs, so ask yours what they’d knock off.
What happens to snow on a metal roof after a chinook?
It slides off, often all at once. A chinook softens the snow, and metal is slick enough that the whole sheet lets go together.
Calgary reviewers of local metal roofers describe heavy wet snow dumping onto front walks and steps, and some had extra snow guards added after the install. If you go metal, plan snow guards over doors, walkways, decks and the garage approach. On shingles, snow stays put and melts slowly, which brings its own issue: ice dams at the eaves.
Can a metal roof go over your old shingles?
Some manufacturers allow it with strapping, but many roofers prefer a full tear-off. Taking the shingles off lets the crew check the plywood for rot and lay new membrane at the eaves and valleys before the metal goes on.
Shingles left underneath can also make the metal sit unevenly and add weight in snow season. Get the roofer’s reasoning either way, and make sure the quote says which one you’re paying for.
What are the downsides of a metal roof?
The main ones are upfront cost, visible hail dents and snow slides. Homeowners also ask about noise in rain and hail, which depends mostly on the deck and insulation underneath, and about matching the look of other homes on the street.
Shingles have their own trade-offs. They wear faster, they’re more likely to need replacing after a big hailstorm, and they can blow off in a strong chinook gust if they weren’t nailed to spec.
Common questions
Is a metal roof better than shingles in Calgary?
It lasts longer and sheds snow, but it costs nearly three times as much as basic shingles and can dent in hail. For a home you’ll keep for decades, metal can pay off. For most other homes, good shingles are the better value.
Is $30,000 too much for a metal roof?
Not necessarily. Calgary homeowners report metal quotes around $30,000 on a typical two-storey, depending on the metal, the profile and the roof’s shape. Compare quotes on the same metal type, gauge and tear-off scope.
Are metal roofs noisy in rain and hail?
Metal over a solid wood deck with an insulated attic above the ceiling is much quieter than metal on an open barn or shed. How loud it sounds inside depends mostly on what sits between the metal and the room.
Not sure which way to go? We install both metal and shingle roofs across Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks, and have since 2011. See our roof replacement page, or call 403-608-9933 to talk it through.
