How Long Does a Metal Shake Roof Last?
Quick answer
A metal shake roof lasts 50 years or more — often a lifetime — while real cedar shake typically lasts only 20–30 years and demands constant upkeep. Metal shake never rots, molds, or burns, resists hail, and holds its finish for decades, which is why it carries a transferable lifetime warranty that no wood shake roof can match.
How long does a metal shake roof last?
A quality metal shake roof lasts 50 years or more, and is commonly a lifetime roof — the last one a home needs. That is roughly double to triple the life of real cedar shake, which typically reaches only 20 to 30 years even with diligent maintenance, and far beyond asphalt's 15 to 20. The reason is simple: metal shake has none of wood's decay clocks, and in aluminum it cannot rust either. It keeps the cedar look while lasting like metal.
What are the common problems with wood shake roofs?
Wood shakes fight nature the entire time they are on the roof. They absorb moisture and rot, grow moss, mold, and algae, split and curl as they cycle through wet and dry, and attract wood-boring insects. They require regular cleaning, treating, and sealing to slow all of this, and they still need replacing in a couple of decades. Above all, they burn — a serious liability in wildfire regions. A metal shake roof eliminates every one of these problems while preserving the split-cedar appearance.
Are cedar shake roofs hard to insure?
Often, yes — and it is a growing issue. Because wood shakes are combustible, many insurers surcharge them, restrict coverage, require them to be treated, or decline to cover them at all, particularly in wildfire-prone areas. Switching to a metal shake roof reverses that: aluminum metal shake is non-combustible and Class A fire-rated, and it carries a UL 2218 Class 4 hail rating, so it is far more insurer-friendly and may even qualify for a fire-safe or impact-resistant discount. For many homeowners, insurance alone justifies the switch.
Why does a metal shake roof last so long?
Because nothing in it is on a short clock. Aluminum contains no iron, so it cannot rust, and it is non-combustible, so fire is not a threat. The factory 70% PVDF finish resists UV, fading, and chalking for decades. Concealed fasteners and the four-sided interlock have no exposed rubber washers to fail. Where a wood shake is decaying from its first rainy season, a metal shake roof is chemically and mechanically built to endure — which is exactly why it is backed by a transferable lifetime warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much longer does metal shake last than cedar?
Roughly two to three times as long. Metal shake lasts 50+ years, often a lifetime, while cedar shake typically lasts 20 to 30 years even with regular maintenance. Over the life of a home you might install two or three cedar roofs in the time one metal shake roof serves.
Do metal shake roofs need maintenance?
Very little — essentially the opposite of cedar. There is no treating, sealing, or moss removal; occasional flashing checks and keeping the roof clear of debris are about all it asks. That freedom from the constant upkeep wood shakes demand is a major reason homeowners switch.
Does a metal shake roof burn?
No — aluminum metal shake is non-combustible and earns Class A fire resistance, the highest rating. That is the sharpest contrast with real cedar shake, which is genuinely flammable, and it is why metal shake is strongly favored in wildfire zones and by insurers.
Sources
- The Aluminum Association — Durability and service life of aluminum
- UL 790 / ASTM E108 — Class A fire testing for roof coverings
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Last reviewed 2026-07-12 · Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing