Are Aluminum Shingles Good? Pros and Cons
Quick answer
Yes — aluminum shingles are one of the best roofing options available. They never rust, resist the highest hail rating and Class A fire, shrug off high wind, weigh a fraction of slate, and last 50+ years with almost no maintenance. Their main trade-offs are a higher upfront cost and the need for a trained installer.
What are the pros of aluminum shingles?
The list is long. Aluminum shingles cannot rust, so they thrive where steel and asphalt struggle — coastal, wet, and freeze-thaw climates. Every Interlock profile earns UL 2218 Class 4, the top hail-impact rating, and Class A fire resistance, and the four-sided interlock resists hurricane-force wind. They weigh a fraction of slate or tile, so they can often go over an existing roof without structural work. The reflective finish trims cooling costs, the metal is endlessly recyclable, and the look adds resale value — all backed by a lifetime warranty.
What are the cons of aluminum shingles?
We will be straight about them. The headline drawback is upfront cost: aluminum shingles cost more than asphalt because they are engineered to last a lifetime rather than 15–20 years. They also require a trained installer — aluminum is unforgiving of poor workmanship, so the crew matters as much as the product. And because aluminum is a relatively soft metal, a hard enough impact can leave a cosmetic dent, though the shingle flexes rather than cracking and stays fully watertight. None of these shorten the roof's life; they are cost-of-entry considerations.
Who are aluminum shingles best for?
They are the strongest choice for homeowners who plan to stay and want to buy their last roof, and for anyone in a demanding climate — salt air, wildfire country, heavy snow, or high wind — where asphalt fails early. They also suit homeowners who want the look of slate or cedar without the crushing weight, upkeep, and cost of the real thing. If your only goal is the lowest possible price on a roof you will replace in twenty years, asphalt is cheaper; for a roof you install once, aluminum shingles are hard to beat.
Are aluminum shingles worth the cost?
For most long-term homeowners, yes. Spread across a 50-plus-year life with almost no maintenance and no repeated tear-offs, an aluminum shingle roof's cost per year often undercuts asphalt, which is bought and torn off two or three times over the same span. Add the resale-value lift, possible insurance discounts for a Class 4 impact-rated roof, and the energy savings from a reflective finish, and the lifetime math usually favors aluminum. Our cost-of-ownership guide walks through the full comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest problem with aluminum shingles?
The biggest real issue is upfront cost, followed by the need to find a qualified installer — not performance. Most "problems" people attribute to metal shingles (rust, noise, leaks) come from cheap exposed-fastener panels, not from engineered, concealed-fastener aluminum systems like Interlock's.
Do aluminum shingles dent easily?
Not easily — every Interlock profile is certified to UL 2218 Class 4, the highest hail rating, because the textured profile and four-sided interlock absorb impact energy. Aluminum is soft, so a large hailstone or heavy branch can leave a cosmetic dent, but it flexes instead of cracking and remains watertight.
Are aluminum shingles better than asphalt shingles?
For longevity and durability, decisively yes: they last 50+ years versus 15–20, never rust or rot, and carry top hail and fire ratings. Asphalt's only advantage is a lower upfront price. Over the life of the home, aluminum shingles typically deliver better value and far less hassle.
Sources
- UL 2218 — Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials
- The Aluminum Association — Aluminum roofing performance
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Last reviewed 2026-07-12 · Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing