Asphalt or metal in Oklahoma — the honest math
This is the most common question we get on a free inspection: should I replace with asphalt or upgrade to metal? The honest answer is, it depends on three numbers.
1. How long you plan to stay
Architectural asphalt shingle in central Oklahoma realistically lasts 18 to 25 years. The 30- and 50-year manufacturer ratings assume conditions Oklahoma weather never gives you. Standing-seam metal lasts 40 to 70 years and is the rare roof you may install once and never touch again.
If you plan to be in the house for 10 years or less, the math almost always favors asphalt. You'll never see the second half of the metal roof's life. If you plan to be there 20+ years, metal often comes out ahead even at 1.7-2x the up-front cost.
2. How exposed your lot is
A roof under mature tree cover and surrounded by other houses takes a different beating than a roof on a half-acre lot with nothing west of it but pasture. Wind uplift and hail velocity are dramatically higher on exposed lots.
If you can see the horizon from your driveway, metal earns its premium faster. If your house is in a tree-canopied subdivision, asphalt is usually fine.
3. What's in the budget right now
A full asphalt-shingle replacement on an average single-family home in our service area is usually $9,000-$18,000. The same roof in standing-seam metal is usually $20,000-$35,000 depending on profile and gauge.
We will not sell you a roof you can't afford. We will also not sell you the cheapest thing on the truck. Most people in central Oklahoma should be on architectural asphalt or impact-resistant shingle. A real subset should be on metal. Nobody in 2026 should be installing three-tab shingle — the cost savings are not worth the shortened life.
A short rule of thumb
- Staying 5-10 years, sheltered lot, mid-budget → asphalt, every time.
- Staying 15+ years, exposed lot, can absorb 25% more → metal pays off.
- Staying forever, on a hill, with the budget → standing-seam metal. Forget about it for forty years.
If you want the math run for your specific roof, we'll do it on the free inspection — including the actual numbers from your manufacturer's pricing sheet, not generic averages. No pressure either way.