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Asphalt Shingles vs. Metal Roofing in Colorado

By Best Colorado Roofing Published November 5, 2026 Materials & Systems

It's the biggest decision a Colorado homeowner makes about a roof: stick with affordable asphalt shingles or invest in metal? The answer depends on where you live along the Front Range, how you feel about hail, and how long you plan to keep the house. Here's an honest side-by-side.

The upfront reality

Asphalt shingles are the most common residential roofing in Colorado for one reason: they cost the least to install. They're a proven system, every roofer installs them, and they look right on nearly any home style. Metal roofing — standing seam panels, exposed-fastener systems, or stone-coated steel — costs substantially more upfront but can last two to three times longer.

For budget-conscious homeowners, shingles win. For homeowners planning to stay 20+ years, metal often earns its premium back. If you need a deeper breakdown of roof system costs, see our guide on Colorado roofing services for the full picture of available options.

Hail: Colorado's tiebreaker

Denver, Colorado Springs, and the I-25 corridor sit in Hail Alley, the most hail-pounded band of the country. This changes the math.

Asphalt shingles bruise. Hailstones fracture the mat under the granules — damage that can take seasons to surface as a leak. Standard shingles take a beating in a bad storm.
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles (the UL 2218-rated upgrade) close much of the gap — they're built to survive a 2-inch steel-ball impact test. See what Class 4 roofing shingles are.
Metal roofing dents in severe hail but rarely fails. A standing-seam roof may show cosmetic dimples after a bad storm while still keeping water out for decades.

If you live in the Front Range hail corridor, metal or Class 4 shingles are the defensive choices. Our full guide covers hail damage roofing in Colorado.

Snow, wind, and wildfire

Snow: Metal's smooth surface sheds snow far better than textured shingles — a real advantage in the High Country and foothills, where heavy snow loads and ice dams strain roofs. (Snow guards keep the slide controlled.) Shingles hold snow in place, which insulates but demands a roof structure designed for the load.

Wind: Properly installed standing-seam metal handles high-wind events extremely well. Architectural shingles rated for high wind perform respectably, but wind uplift along the foothills has peeled more than a few shingle roofs.

Fire: Both Class A-rated metal and asphalt shingles resist embers — but metal is non-combustible, which matters in Colorado's wildland-urban interface.

Talk to a Colorado roofer. Thinking about making the switch? A call connects you with an independent Colorado roofing professional who can compare materials for your specific home and neighborhood.

Maintenance and repair

Shingles are easy and inexpensive to repair — a roofer can replace individual shingles. The trade-off: you'll be doing it more often in hail country. Metal needs little maintenance (keep gutters clear, check sealants and fasteners), but when a panel is damaged, repairs cost more and require a specialist. Metal roofing in Colorado covers system types and care.

The honest verdict

Choose asphalt shingles if budget matters most, you may sell within 10–15 years, or you pair them with Class 4 impact resistance for hail protection at a moderate price.
Choose metal if this is your long-term home, you're in hail or snow country, and you want the lowest maintenance and longest service life.

Either way, installation quality decides everything. A premium material installed poorly underperforms a budget material installed well — which is why choosing the right roofer matters as much as the material. Learn what proper roof installation involves.

FAQs

Do metal roofs attract lightning?

No. Metal roofing does not increase the chance of a lightning strike. If struck, it actually disperses the charge more safely than other materials.

Are metal roofs louder in rain?

Not when installed over a proper roof deck with underlayment and attic insulation. Modern installations sound about the same as shingles from inside.

Can shingles compete with metal on hail?

Class 4 impact-resistant shingles narrow the gap substantially in the UL 2218 impact test — worth asking about in hail-prone Colorado areas.

Shingles or metal — get a roofer's read on your home

One call connects you with an independent roofing professional who can weigh your roof's age, your neighborhood's hail exposure, and your budget. No forms, no pressure.

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