Are Metal Roofs the Answer to Climate Resilience?

Comparing Metal Roofs to Shingles in Terms of Wind, Hail and Fire Resistance

Cam Allen L.I.W. NHI

June 18, 2026

In this weekly Q&A column, retired builder/building inspector Cam Allen answers readers’ home renovation questions. Have a question? Enter it in the form below.

It is well documented that the number one insurance claim resulting from a major wind, hail or wildfire is the roof of a home. In the United States a large organization called ZestyAI has set up an AI process for insurance companies to rate the risk of a home. This process allows underwriters access to “trusted models and insights…every property…every time” as their marketing states.

The one issue I question is that they’ve set up a roofing contractor program that is proprietary to their insurance recommendations. They recently set up an insurance AI lab in Montreal so I wonder how soon it will be before this process becomes the standard in Canada.

Comparing the Durability of Metal Roofs vs Shingles

It is an accepted fact that metal roofs will withstand climate extremes better than most shingles. Although today’s shingles offer improved wind performance thanks to stronger sealants and attachment systems, they remain more vulnerable to damage during high-wind conditions.

Wind and Hail

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Metals roofs can withstand wind up to 225 km/h. The effect of hail storms are minimal depending upon the thickness and finish. If the roof has a smooth, shiny surface it will show dents more readily. A textured or flat finish is less likely to show dents.

If you have installed one of the stone-coated metal shingles they hide most hail impact. The biggest factor is the gauge of metal you purchased for your metal roof panel or shingle. If you selected 24 gauge or thicker, they provide greater resistance to hail damage. Most metal roof panels have a Class 4 impact resistance rating which means they can handle hail up to 2 inches in diameter.

For any hail damage, shingles are vulnerable. The granular loss is usually significant. Older shingles become brittle over time and hail damage will be significant. The one effect not commonly visible is bruising from the hail and this damage causes soft spots, compressing the fibreglass mats and loosening granular along with the bond between the layers.

The shingle companies have reacted and now have a Class 4 impact resistant shingle that uses a modified asphalt blended with a rubberized polymer that allows the shingle more flexibility and stability from hail damage. This does not eliminate the possibility of hail damage however.

Fire Resistance

Metal roofs are all class A rated for fire and if lightning is present, metal roofing doesn’t attract any more lightning than any other roof covering. If you are concerned, lightning rods are still available.

Shingles do have a good fire rating provided they are a Class A shingle. The one issue is the intensity of the heat from the wildfire and with some of the temperatures we see from wildfires today there are limitations with shingles.

Additional Benefits of Metal Roofs

So what are the benefits? Number one on the list is a long lifespan. Metal roof coverings usually reach a lifespan of 75 years without much problem and over a 100 years is not uncommon. Powder-coated steel roof coverings are durable, followed by aluminium metal roof panels.

Along with durability you are doing your part for sustainability and the environment. Our landfills are still taking millions of square feet of conventional shingles every year. While there are some recycling efforts, they are not meeting the demand that is arriving at landfills.

Yet another environmental benefit with a metal roof: more and more companies use a large amount of recycled metal in their manufacturing process.

Curb appeal of today’s metal roof coverings has really grown. There’s an increased assortment of colours, even with conventional standing rib. When it comes to metal shingles the availability of styles that simulate tiles, wood shakes and the original historic patterned flat panel along with different coatings like stone have jumped in popularity.

One area that does not get a lot of recognition when it comes to a metal roof is the energy efficiency. Conventional shingles are well documented to trap the solar heat on a sunny day. A hot attic can increase your air conditioning energy costs by upwards of 10-15 percent. Metal roofs can reflect the sun depending upon your choice of colours. White has become more popular for a metal roof. Some metal roof manufacturers now offer special coatings that enhance
the reflective value of their roof panels.

Metal Roof Costs and Insurance Discounts

It’s no secret that a metal roof, initially, is more costly to install. The prices have come down substantially over the past 10 years. I can remember getting quotes from a sub-trade roofer for a metal roof and it was double the price of a good quality shingled roof. Today from what my trade friends tell me it is more like ⅓ to ½ more than shingles for a standing rib metal roof. Decorative metal shingles can reach double the conventional shingle price point.

While I don’t have any Canadian statistics, more and more home insurance companies are offering discounts on their policies if the home has a properly installed certified metal roof covering. I did see one U.S. home insurance company that was offering a substantial 25 percent discount.

The Growing Popularity of Metal Roofs

Metal roofing is going through a major increase in residential popularity. I talked to a couple of roofing contractors I know, both with 3 and 4 crews, respectively. They figured that 15 to 20 percent of their clients today are opting for a metal roof with the majority being the standing rib style. Metal shingles follow behind, due mainly to the increased cost of decorative metal shingles. Both of these installers said 10 years ago they were lucky to hit 5–6 percent of their annual roof installs in metal.

Both of these pro trades made a specific point about using underlayment. Neither one was in favour of simply going over an old shingled roof citing uneven surface, pre-existing moisture conditions and getting a properly secured metal roof. They both said they use a synthetic underlayment and in valley or dormer areas, ice and water shield membrane was mandatory. These underlayments can act as a second barrier against water invasion, lower condensation and help a bit with energy efficiency. It’s becoming a point of code in many areas. Underlayment will add some years to the life of your
metal roof by protecting the actual physical structure.

The last point about a metal roof is that its valuation is recoverable in some respects. A home for sale with a full, professionally installed metal roof will have a greater valuation and the benefits for a buyer are substantial. If you are facing the reality that your roof covering needs to be replaced, if you have any way possible to replace it with metal, make that step.

Images from Depositphotos