Shingle or metal roof: which one makes sense for your house?
Straight answers from a metal roofing contractor in Clifton, OH — no hype, just facts.
You need a new roof and you keep going back and forth. Asphalt shingles are cheaper right now. Metal costs more but people say it lasts forever. For a home in Clifton, near the old tree canopy of Burnet Woods or the brick streets off Ludlow Avenue, the choice really comes down to how long you plan to stay.
Older Clifton homes often have asphalt shingle roofs that start curling or losing grit after 15 to 20 years. Ohio weather speeds this up. Hot summers bake the shingles. Winter freezes and thaws work water into tiny cracks. Metal roofs do not absorb water. They shed snow fast and reflect summer heat. That is why they last 40 to 70 years with almost no upkeep.
Asphalt shingles run about half the upfront cost of a standing seam metal roof. On a typical Clifton two-story, you might pay two to three times more for metal. The price gap shrinks over time. You will likely replace shingles twice in the same span one metal roof covers. Metal also cuts cooling bills a little in July when the sun beats down on Clifton Avenue rooftops. Get a firm quote for both. Look at the total, not just the first check you write.
Call TruRoof for a walkaround and a side-by-side cost breakdown. We will check your roof deck, overhanging limbs from Burnet Woods, and the pitch of your roof. Do not let a pushy salesperson rush you into metal if you plan to sell in three years. That money does not always come back at closing. If this is your forever home, metal makes the math simple.
Once the new roof is on, you stop worrying about leaks every spring. You hear less street noise from I-71. Your attic stays cooler and your gutters stay cleaner. You know the roof will outlast you, and that is one big thing off your list for good.
What people in Clifton say
"I'm reviewing my two new roofs, on my house and my garage, installed by TruRoof. The company, and Damon Chuke, their representative, helped me work with the insurance company, and with understanding all the details of the whole process. They took out an obsolete chimney, were on time and professional, and the finished roofs and flashing are beautiful. Many compliments from neighbors. Highly recommended by me."
"We have a beautiful condo in a historic building from the 1840s. Late November had a bad leak in the dining room area. I called Britt at TruRoof who came out and inspected the entire roof of the building. He said to do the entire roof could be around $50,000. But then he started laughing and said you need to caulk the area around one of the chimneys. I thought he was nuts, but I did the caulking, which cost me about 25 bucks worth of outdoor caulk, and there are no more leaks. I cannot express my appreciation for his diligence and his honesty. That kind of a company and a person is rare these days. Highly, highly, highly recommend these guys."
"TruRoof did an outstanding job from start to finish. Communication leading up to the start date was great. Once on site and the project started, everything went as discussed, and the crew was very professional."
Other things people in Clifton ask
what is the biggest problem with metal roofs
Standing seam avoids most of it. We explain where metal shines and where it does not on your house.
is it cheaper to do a metal roof or shingles
Metal costs more today and lasts two to three times longer. We price both so you can decide on the numbers.
standing seam metal roof vs screw down
Exposed fasteners are cheaper and need re-screwing over time. Standing seam hides the fasteners and lasts longer.
shingle vs metal roof
Asphalt shingles cost less upfront and are easy to repair. Metal roofs last much longer, reflect heat, and stand up to high winds. Think about how long you plan to stay in the home. A metal roof pays off over time, but shingles are still the most common choice in Cincinnati neighborhoods.
Ready to talk?
TruRoof handles metal roofing in Clifton and the area around it.