Metal Roofing vs. Rubber Roofing (Recycled Rubber Shingles): Which Is Better?
Quick answer
Metal and rubber roofing shingles both mimic slate or shake on sloped roofs, but they differ sharply. Recycled-rubber shingles (like Euroshield) are molded from repurposed tires — an eco-friendly, impact-resistant option, but heavy (245–340 lbs per square) and petroleum-based. Aluminum metal roofing is far lighter (~40–50 lbs per square), inherently non-combustible, rust-proof, reflective, and lasts 50+ years.
Metal roofing vs. rubber roofing shingles: what is the difference?
Both are premium, sloped-roof shingles designed to look like slate or cedar shake — but they are made of very different things. Recycled-rubber shingles, such as Euroshield's, are molded from repurposed tire rubber (commonly 75–95% recycled content) that is granulated, cleaned of steel and fiber, treated with flame retardants, and pressed into slate or shake tiles. Metal roofing is stamped from aluminum (or steel) and finished with a baked-on coating. Importantly, these rubber shingles are not the same as a flat "rubber roof" (EPDM membrane) — they are individual tiles for pitched roofs, competing directly with metal shake and slate.
Is a rubber roof better than metal?
Both are durable, impact-resistant, premium choices, so it comes down to priorities. Recycled-rubber shingles have real strengths: a compelling recycled-tire sustainability story, excellent hail resistance (large hail tends to bounce off the flexible rubber), and some insulating quality. Metal's advantages are different and, for many homes, decisive: aluminum weighs a fraction as much, is inherently non-combustible, never rusts, carries a reflective cool-roof finish, and has a long, proven track record for finish longevity. Neither is universally "better" — but on weight, fire, and heat, aluminum has clear technical edges.
Weight, fire, and heat: the key technical differences
Three differences matter most. Weight: recycled-rubber shingles run roughly 245 to 340 pounds per square (100 sq ft), while aluminum is about 40 to 50 — rubber is five to eight times heavier, which is a real structural-load consideration. Fire: rubber is a petroleum-based material that must be treated with flame retardants to earn its fire rating, whereas aluminum is inherently non-combustible and Class A — an advantage in wildfire country. Heat: dark rubber absorbs solar heat and faces long-term UV exposure, while aluminum's reflective, cool-roof PVDF finish bounces heat away and is engineered to resist fading for decades.
Lifespan, warranty, and sustainability
On paper the lifespans are similar — both are marketed around 50 years, with warranties commonly in the 30-to-50-year range — but they age differently. Rubber shingles can carry an initial rubber odor and face decades of UV on a petroleum-based product; aluminum's baked-on finish and rust-proof metal have a long, documented service record. Both make green claims from different angles: rubber diverts old tires from landfills, a genuine benefit, while aluminum is made with recycled content and is infinitely recyclable through an established metal-recycling stream at the end of its life. Both are far greener than asphalt.
Which should you choose?
Choose recycled-rubber shingles if the recycled-tire sustainability story is a priority and a slightly softer, flexible tile appeals, and if weight and inherent fire resistance are not concerns for your home. Choose aluminum metal roofing if you want the lightest structural load, inherent (untreated) fire safety — important in wildfire zones — a reflective finish that lowers cooling costs, immunity to rust, and a proven, decades-long finish life. For most homes, and especially fire-prone or weight-sensitive ones, aluminum metal shake or slate is the more robust choice, giving the same slate or cedar look with lighter weight and inherent fire performance. Interlock's aluminum shake and slate profiles are built for exactly this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rubber roofing shingles the same as a flat rubber (EPDM) roof?
No — and it is a common mix-up. Recycled-rubber shingles like Euroshield's are molded tiles for sloped roofs that imitate slate or shake, competing with metal shingles. A flat "rubber roof" (EPDM or TPO membrane) is a rolled sheet for flat and low-slope roofs. Same word, entirely different products and applications.
How long do rubber roofing shingles last?
Recycled-rubber shingles are generally marketed to last around 50 years, with warranties commonly in the 30-to-50-year range. That is comparable to a quality aluminum metal roof's 50+ year life, though aluminum's rust-proof metal and baked-on finish have a longer real-world track record of holding up.
Do rubber roof shingles have a fire rating?
They can achieve a fire rating, but through treatment: the rubber base is combustible and is treated with flame retardants to meet fire standards, and the rating can depend on the full roof assembly. Aluminum is inherently non-combustible and achieves Class A on its own — a meaningful distinction in wildfire-prone areas.
Are rubber shingles heavier than metal?
Considerably. Recycled-rubber shingles weigh roughly 245 to 340 pounds per square, versus about 40 to 50 for aluminum — five to eight times heavier. Both are far lighter than natural slate, but aluminum places the least load on the structure, which matters on older framing.
Sources
- Euroshield Roofing — Recycled-rubber roofing shingles, composition and warranty
- The Aluminum Association — Aluminum roofing weight, recyclability and fire performance
- UL 790 / ASTM E108 — Class A fire testing for roof coverings
Explore Interlock Metal Roofing
Last reviewed 2026-07-12 · Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing