Why the Choice Is Different in the Inland Northwest
Roofing advice written for Phoenix or Houston does not translate to Colbert, Spokane or Coeur d'Alene. Our roofs spend months under snow, cycle through dozens of freeze-thaw swings each winter, and face wind and the occasional hailstorm. The two materials most homeowners weigh here are standing-seam or exposed-fastener metal and architectural asphalt shingles.
Both can perform well in snow country, but they handle snow, ice and temperature swings very differently. The right answer depends on your roof's pitch, your budget, how long you plan to stay, and how your home is laid out below the roofline. This guide walks through the trade-offs honestly, without pretending one material wins every category.
How Each Material Handles Snow and Ice
This is the heart of the decision in our climate.
Metal sheds snow. A smooth standing-seam panel on a moderate-to-steep pitch lets snow slide off in slabs rather than building up. That reduces sustained snow load and gives ice dams less of a foothold. The catch is that sliding snow has to go somewhere. Without snow guards, a roof avalanche can wreck gutters, crush shrubs, bury a walkway or damage a lower roof section. Snow retention devices are not optional on metal here; they are part of doing the job correctly.
Asphalt shingles hold snow in place because of their textured, granular surface. Snow tends to melt and drain gradually instead of dumping all at once, which can be safer over doorways and decks. The downside is that retained snow plus heat escaping from the attic is exactly the recipe for ice dams, those ridges of ice at the eave that force meltwater back up under the shingles and into the house.
The honest takeaway: metal reduces ice dam risk but needs snow management; asphalt is gentler about snow release but more prone to ice dams. With either material, proper attic insulation, ventilation and ice-and-water shield at the eaves matter more than the roofing surface itself.
Lifespan and Durability
A quality architectural asphalt shingle roof in our climate typically lasts in the range of 20 to 30 years, depending on ventilation, sun exposure and installation quality. Premium designer and impact-rated shingles can stretch further. Freeze-thaw cycling and UV are the main agents of aging here, and granule loss accelerates near the end of the roof's life.
A properly installed standing-seam metal roof can last 40 to 70 years, often outliving the homeowner's time in the house. Metal does not rot, is not eaten by moss, and handles wind and impact well. Its weak points are scratched or chalking finishes over time and fasteners on exposed-fastener systems, which may need attention at the 20-to-30-year mark. Standing-seam systems with concealed clips avoid most of that.
If you plan to stay in your home for decades, metal's longer service life narrows the cost gap considerably. If you may move within 15 years, a strong asphalt system is the more economical match.
Up-Front Cost and Long-Term Value
There is no getting around it: metal costs more to install. As a rough industry guide, a standing-seam metal roof commonly runs roughly two to three times the installed price of an architectural asphalt roof on the same home. Material and the skilled labor to flash, fold and fasten panels correctly both drive that number.
Where metal earns it back is over time. One metal roof may outlast two or even three asphalt roofs, and many homeowners see modest insurance or energy benefits, especially with reflective finishes that cut summer cooling load. Asphalt wins on lower entry cost and is easier to repair in sections.
Because budgets vary, we keep the conversation practical. DG Contracting offers flexible financing so the monthly number, not just the sticker price, drives the decision. A free estimate gives you real local pricing for both materials on your actual roof rather than national averages.
Noise, Appearance and the Myths
The most common worry we hear about metal is noise. The reality: a metal roof installed over solid decking and underlayment, with an insulated attic beneath, is not appreciably louder in rain or hail than asphalt. The drumming people remember usually came from bare metal barns over open framing, which is a completely different assembly.
On looks, both materials have come a long way. Architectural asphalt offers deep dimensional shadow lines and a wide palette that suits most neighborhoods. Metal brings clean modern lines or can mimic shake and tile, and it tends to stand out, for better or worse depending on your taste and any HOA rules.
One more myth: metal does not attract lightning, and a grounded metal roof is no more dangerous than any other roof. It will not rust through if it is a properly coated steel or aluminum product designed for residential use.
Pitch, Roof Shape and Practical Fit
Your roof's geometry can make the decision for you. Low-slope roofs benefit from metal's water-shedding ability, since shingles need adequate pitch to stay watertight. Complex roofs with many valleys, dormers and penetrations are more labor-intensive in metal and can carry a steeper price premium, while asphalt adapts to complicated shapes more easily.
Consider what sits below the eaves, too. If snow sliding off metal would land on an entry, a deck, a driveway or a neighbor's property, you will need a well-planned snow-retention layout, or asphalt may simply be the more neighbor-friendly choice. Steep, simple gable roofs with clear ground below them are where metal shines in snow country.
How DG Contracting Approaches the Decision
We are a family-owned company founded in 2013, based in Colbert and serving Spokane, Spokane Valley, Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho. As a GAF Master Elite contractor, a designation held by a small fraction of roofers nationwide, we install premium asphalt systems backed by the GAF Golden Pledge limited warranty, and we also install metal roofing built for our snow loads.
Our recommendation always starts with your roof and your goals, not a sales quota. We look at pitch, attic ventilation, what lies below the eaves, how long you plan to stay, and your budget. Every installation, in either material, is covered by our 15-25 year workmanship warranty, and a roof replacement includes a 15-25 year workmanship warranty.
With a 5.0 rating across hundreds of Google reviews and licensing in both Washington and Idaho, we are happy to lay out both options side by side so you can choose with confidence.