Is metal roofing in Pittsburgh worth the investment in 2026? For a homeowner who plans to stay put, the honest answer is usually yes. A standing seam steel roof installed correctly will outlast two or three asphalt shingle roofs, shed the heavy wet snow we get in the North Hills, and need very little attention in between. For a homeowner who expects to sell within a few years, a quality architectural shingle roof is often the better financial decision. This guide walks through both sides so you can decide for your own house.
We are Malick Brothers Exteriors, a family owned roofing company founded in 2022 by Ryan Malick and based at 500 Perry Highway in West View. We install asphalt shingle roofs every week, and we have offered metal roofing in Pittsburgh since early 2023, so we have no reason to push one material over the other. Below we compare metal and asphalt for local conditions, clear up the myths we hear on almost every estimate (noise, lightning, rust and hail), and answer the questions people ask before they sign.
Is a Metal Roof Worth It? The Short Version
A metal roof costs more up front than asphalt shingles. That part is not a myth. What changes the math is time. A residential metal roof is generally expected to last 40 to 70 years, while an architectural asphalt shingle roof in Western Pennsylvania typically lasts 20 to 30 years. Over the life of one metal roof, the same house would usually need two shingle roofs, each with its own tear off, disposal, labor and disruption.
Metal also needs fewer repairs along the way. There are no granules to wash off, no shingles to lift in a wind storm, and nothing for moss or algae to feed on. Standing seam panels have no exposed fasteners on the roof surface, which removes the most common leak point on older metal systems. The return is strongest when you plan to stay ten years or more and your roof has long, straight runs of panel. It is weakest when you expect to sell soon, because buyers rarely pay the full premium for a metal roof.
Metal Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles for Pittsburgh Homes
Here is how the two materials compare on the points that matter in our climate. These are realistic ranges for a professional installation, not manufacturer marketing numbers.
| Factor | Metal roofing (standing seam steel) | Asphalt shingles (architectural) |
|---|---|---|
| Expected lifespan | 40 to 70 years | 20 to 30 years |
| Snow and ice | Sheds snow quickly, fewer ice dam problems with proper underlayment and ventilation | Holds snow longer, ice dams form at eaves if the attic is warm |
| Wind | Panels are mechanically seamed or clipped, very high wind ratings | Good when nailed correctly, individual shingles can lift in strong gusts |
| Hail | Rarely penetrates, cosmetic dents possible on thin panels | Granule loss and bruising, often an insurance claim |
| Maintenance | Clear debris, check flashings every few years | Annual inspection, periodic repairs, algae streaks on shaded roofs |
| Up front cost | Higher | Lower |
| Weight | Lighter than shingles | Heavier, still fine for any sound framing |
| Looks | Standing seam, metal shingles, many colors | Widest range of colors and textures |
| Warranty | Paint finish warranties commonly 30 years or more | Atlas 50 year warranty on complete Atlas systems we install |
Asphalt remains the most common roof in the Pittsburgh area for good reason. It is affordable, installs quickly, repairs easily, and modern architectural shingles are far tougher than the 3 tab shingles on many older homes. Our asphalt shingle page covers the Atlas lines we install, and our roofing materials overview covers slate and rubber as well.
How Metal Roofing Handles Pittsburgh Weather
Pittsburgh roofs deal with wet, heavy snow, repeated freeze and thaw cycles, spring wind storms, summer thunderstorms with occasional hail, and long stretches of damp weather that feeds moss and algae. Each of those plays to a strength of metal.
- Snow: Smooth panels let snow slide off instead of sitting on the roof for weeks. Over walkways and doors we install snow guards so it comes down in a controlled way. The Metal Roofing Alliance notes that fast snow shedding is a main reason homeowners in snowy regions choose metal.
- Freeze and thaw: Asphalt shingles gradually lose granules each winter. A standing seam system uses clips that let panels expand and contract without stressing the fasteners.
- Wind: Wind events are the most common reason we get shingle repair calls in Ross Township, McCandless and Shaler. Interlocked metal panels do not lift the way individual shingles can.
- Moisture and shade: The painted finish gives algae nothing to grow on, so a north facing slope under trees stays clean.
The one caution is ice damming. Metal sheds snow, but if the attic below is poorly insulated or ventilated, melt water can still refreeze at the eaves. An attic and roof inspection before the job tells us what the house needs.
Metal Roofing Myths We Hear on Every Estimate
Most of the hesitation we hear about metal comes from old barn roofs and older exposed fastener panels. Modern residential systems are a different product. Here are the myths, with the facts behind each.
Myth: A metal roof is loud when it rains
A residential metal roof sits on solid decking and underlayment above an insulated attic, so rain on metal sounds about the same as rain on shingles from inside. The Metal Roofing Alliance states there is little difference between metal and other materials for rain or hail noise. The loud roofs people remember are uninsulated barns with panels screwed straight to purlins.
Myth: Metal roofs attract lightning
Lightning strikes the tallest object in an area, not a particular material. A metal roof does not increase the odds of a strike. If a strike does happen, metal is non combustible and spreads the energy across the whole roof rather than concentrating it, which makes it safer than a wood or asphalt surface in that rare event.
Myth: Metal roofs rust
Modern residential panels are galvanized or Galvalume coated steel with a factory paint finish backed by long warranties against chalking and fading. Aluminum and copper do not rust at all. The rusted roofs on old outbuildings are bare steel that was never meant for a home. Cut edges and scratches from a careless installation are the only realistic rust risk, which is one more reason the installer matters.
Myth: Hail will destroy a metal roof
Hail almost never punches through a metal panel. Severe hail can leave cosmetic dents on thinner panels, which is why we specify heavier gauge steel for homes. The same storm on asphalt shingles knocks off granules and bruises the mat, which shortens the roof life even when it does not leak right away.
Myth: Metal roofs make a house hot in summer
The opposite is true. A painted metal roof reflects more summer heat than a dark shingle roof and cools off quickly after sunset. The effect depends on color and attic ventilation, so a lighter roof over a ventilated attic gains the most.
What Is the Biggest Problem With Metal Roofs?
Installation. A metal roof is only as good as the flashing details at chimneys, valleys, skylights and walls, and those details require a crew that works with metal regularly. Shingle crews who try a metal job once a year are where most leaks come from. The second real issue is oil canning, a slight waviness visible in flat panel areas under certain light. It does not affect performance, and a heavier gauge, a striated panel profile and a low gloss finish reduce it.
Two other honest drawbacks: matching a repair years later can be hard because finishes fade slightly over time, and roofs with many hips, valleys and dormers cost more in metal because of the hand work at every transition.
What Drives the Cost of a Metal Roof in Pittsburgh
We do not publish prices because every roof is different, and a number without a measurement is a guess. What we can tell you is what moves the estimate up or down:
- Panel system: Standing seam with concealed clips costs more than exposed fastener panels, and it is what we recommend for homes.
- Metal and gauge: Heavier steel costs more than lighter steel. Aluminum and copper cost more than steel.
- Roof complexity, pitch and access: Every valley, dormer, chimney and skylight adds custom trim and labor. Steep roofs and tight city lots in places like Bellevue take more time and safety setup.
- Tear off, decking and gutters: Removing the old roof, replacing soft decking and often replacing gutters to line up with the new drip edge.
We provide a free written estimate after measuring the roof, and financing options are available. Beware of any contractor who quotes a metal roof over the phone.
Does a Metal Roof Add Value to a Pittsburgh Home?
A new roof of any kind adds value, because buyers and their inspectors treat an aging roof as a negotiating point. Metal adds a bit more on a house where it suits the architecture, such as a farmhouse in Mars or a log home outside Cranberry Township, and it appeals to buyers who want to avoid roof work for the rest of their ownership. Do not expect to recoup the full premium over asphalt at resale. The value of metal is realized by living under it.
Insurance can help the math. Insurers often view metal as resistant to fire, wind and hail, and some offer premium discounts for it, as State Farm explains. Call your own carrier first, because some policies include cosmetic damage exclusions for metal.
Which Roof Should You Choose?
Choose metal if you plan to stay long term, you want the lowest maintenance roof available, or you have a porch, addition or low slope section where shingles keep failing. Many of our customers put standing seam on a porch or one problem slope and keep shingles on the main roof.
Choose asphalt if you want the lowest up front cost, you may sell within ten years, or your roof has many cuts and dormers. A complete Atlas system installed by an AtlasPro+ Platinum Select contractor carries a 50 year warranty, so a shingle roof is not a short term compromise.
Either way, the roof is only as good as the crew. Whether you want metal or a residential roof replacement in shingles, ask for proof of PA Home Improvement Contractor registration, manufacturer certification, and photos of recent local work in that material.
Metal Roofing in Pittsburgh: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a metal roof last in Pennsylvania?
A properly installed standing seam steel roof is generally expected to last 40 to 70 years in Western Pennsylvania, and copper or zinc can last longer. The painted finish usually carries a warranty of 30 years or more, and the panels outlast the finish. Compare that with 20 to 30 years for architectural asphalt shingles in the same climate.
Do insurance companies prefer metal or shingle roofs?
Many insurers view metal favorably because it resists fire, wind and hail, and some offer discounts for impact resistant roofing. A few policies add cosmetic damage exclusions for metal, so a hail dent that does not cause a leak may not be covered. Ask your agent how your policy treats each material before you choose.
Can you put a metal roof over existing shingles?
Codes often allow one layer of metal over one layer of shingles, and some contractors do it to save tear off cost. We recommend a full tear off. It lets us replace soft decking, install proper underlayment and ice barrier, and avoid trapping moisture between layers. A roof meant to last 50 years deserves a clean start.
What are the best metal roof colors for Pittsburgh homes?
Charcoal, dark bronze, slate gray and black are the most popular on brick and stone homes around the North Hills and the city, because they read like slate from the street. Greens and reds suit farmhouses and log homes. Lighter colors reflect more summer heat and show less fading. Look at a sample against the brick and trim in daylight.
Is a metal roof noisy in the rain?
Not on a house. Residential metal roofs sit on solid decking and underlayment over an insulated attic, which absorbs the sound. From inside, rain on metal sounds about the same as rain on shingles. The loud roofs people remember are barns and sheds with panels fastened to open framing.
Can you walk on a copper or metal roof?
Yes, carefully. Step on the flat of the panel near a support, not on the raised seams, wear soft soled shoes, and stay off when it is wet or frosty. Copper is softer than steel and scratches more easily, so keep foot traffic to a minimum and let a roofer handle inspections and repairs.
Talk to a Pittsburgh Metal Roofing Contractor
If you are weighing metal against shingles, we will measure your roof, look at the attic, and give you a free written estimate for either option with no pressure toward one or the other. We are BBB A+ accredited, registered as PA Home Improvement Contractor PA174918, and we install every roof with our own crews from our shop in West View. Request your free estimate or call 412-616-0191.
