The Two Options Most Homeowners Are Choosing
In Montgomery County, the vast majority of residential roofs are either architectural asphalt shingles or standing-seam metal. Other materials exist — clay tile, slate, synthetic — but for the local housing stock and climate, these two account for nearly everything we install.
Architectural Asphalt Shingles
What they cost: Lower upfront than metal. The material and labour combined typically run significantly less per square foot.
How long they last: Manufacturer warranties range from 25 to 50 years depending on the line, but the Gulf climate — UV, humidity, thermal cycling — shortens effective life. A realistic expectation in our area is 20 to 30 years with proper ventilation.
What they handle well: Hail up to about 1 inch (Class 3 and 4 rated shingles), wind up to 130 mph (depending on the product), and straightforward repairs when individual shingles are damaged.
Where they fall short: They degrade faster on poorly ventilated roofs in high heat. Granule loss accelerates when the attic temperature climbs, and in summer that happens here every day.
Standing-Seam Metal
What they cost: Higher upfront — roughly double the installed cost of a mid-range architectural shingle.
How long they last: 40 to 70 years. The material does not degrade from UV or moisture the way asphalt does, and properly coated panels resist the salt-air corrosion that affects homes closer to the coast.
What they handle well: Wind (rated well above 130 mph in most systems), heat reflection (lower cooling costs), and long-term durability with almost no maintenance.
Where they fall short: Denting from large hail. A stone that cracks an asphalt shingle will dent a metal panel — the panel stays watertight, but the dent is permanent and visible. Repairs are panel replacements, not single-shingle swaps.
Which One Is Right?
There is no universal answer. A homeowner planning to stay 30 years may recover the metal premium in avoided replacements. A homeowner selling in five years may not. We walk through both options during every estimate visit and give you the numbers for your specific roof so the comparison is real, not theoretical.