Asphalt vs. Metal Roofing in North Idaho: Which Is Right for Your Home?
If you're getting a new roof in North Idaho, you're most likely choosing between architectural asphalt shingles and standing seam metal. Both work well here, but they cost differently, handle snow differently, and make sense for different owners. This comparison uses Lakeview Roofing's own pricing and what we see installing both from Rathdrum to Coeur d'Alene to Sandpoint.
- Choose architectural shingles if you plan to sell within 10 years or need the lower upfront cost: about $10,000 to $14,000 on a 2,000 square foot roof, lasting 20 to 25 years.
- Choose standing seam metal if you plan to stay 20 years or more: about $24,000 to $32,000 on the same roof, lasting 40 to 70 years.
- Metal sheds snow; shingles hold it until it melts. Both need a ventilated attic, and metal needs snow guards over doors and walkways.
- Installation matters more than the material. A poorly installed metal roof will underperform a well-installed shingle roof.
On this page
- Architectural Shingles vs. Metal Roof: Which Is Better in North Idaho?
- Metal Roof vs. Shingles for Snow and Ice: Which Handles It Better?
- How Do Shingles and Metal Handle Wind and Hail?
- Which Costs Less Over Time: Shingles or Metal?
- When Should You Choose Architectural Shingles?
- When Should You Choose Standing Seam Metal?
- What About Exposed Fastener Metal?
- What About Other Roofing Materials?
- Can You Walk on a Metal Roof?
Architectural Shingles vs. Metal Roof: Which Is Better in North Idaho?
It depends on how long you'll stay. Architectural shingles cost less upfront and last 20 to 25 years in North Idaho, so they fit owners selling within 10 years. Standing seam metal costs about twice as much, lasts 40 to 70 years, and sheds snow, so it usually wins if you'll stay 20 years or more.
| Architectural shingles | Standing seam metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft, installed | $5 to $7 | $12 to $16 |
| 2,000 sq ft roof | $10,000 to $14,000 | $24,000 to $32,000 |
| Lifespan in North Idaho | 20 to 25 years | 40 to 70 years |
| Snow | Holds snow until it melts | Sheds snow; needs snow guards |
| Fasteners | Nailed under the shingle above | Hidden under the seams |
| Warranty | Owens Corning: Limited Lifetime on manufacturing defects | Varies by manufacturer |
Still deciding? Read six signs it's time to switch to a metal roof and our North Idaho roofing materials guide.
Metal Roof vs. Shingles for Snow and Ice: Which Handles It Better?
Metal sheds snow, so less weight sits on the roof and fewer ice dams form. Shingles hold snow until it melts, which is why ice barrier at the eaves and a ventilated attic matter so much on a shingle roof.
Shingles in snow
Shingles handle snow well when the attic stays cold. Without good ventilation, heat melts the snow, the water refreezes at the eaves, and ice dams back water under the shingles. We install ice and water shield at the eaves, valleys, and penetrations on every shingle roof.
Metal in snow
The smooth panels let snow slide off instead of piling up. Plan for snow guards over entries, walkways, and lower roofs so the snow doesn't come down all at once.
Idaho's residential code requires ice barrier at the eaves where ice dams are a known problem, from the roof edge to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. See our ice dam guide, snow load guide, and snow guards explained.
How Do Shingles and Metal Handle Wind and Hail?
Standing seam has no individual tabs for wind to lift. Shingles hold up well when installed to the manufacturer's specifications; Owens Corning rates Duration for 160 mph winds with its required components and starter shingles on the eaves and rakes.
- Wind: shingle roofs fail at edges and where sealant strips have aged or never sealed. Standing seam panels run continuously from ridge to eave
- Hail: shingles can crack or lose granules. Metal won't crack but can dent, which is usually cosmetic
- Impact-rated (Class 4) products exist for both. Ask your insurer whether it offers a discount before you choose
Which Costs Less Over Time: Shingles or Metal?
Over 25 years, shingles and metal cost about the same once you count one shingle replacement. Over 50 years, metal usually costs less, because the shingle roof gets replaced about twice.
| 25 years | 50 years | |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural shingles | $10,000 to $14,000, plus a replacement at year 20 to 25 | First roof plus about two replacements |
| Standing seam metal | $24,000 to $32,000, no replacement | $24,000 to $32,000, usually no replacement |
Replacement costs rise with material and labor prices, so a second or third shingle roof will cost more than the first. For full pricing, see metal roof cost in North Idaho and the North Idaho roof cost guide.
When Should You Choose Architectural Shingles?
When the budget matters most, you plan to sell within 10 to 15 years, or the home's style and neighborhood suit shingles.
- Budget: shingles cost about half as much upfront and protect the home well for 20 to 25 years
- Selling within 10 to 15 years: buyers get a recently replaced roof, and you don't pay for a 50-year roof you won't keep
- Style: most North Idaho homes, from Coeur d'Alene craftsman homes to Rathdrum ranches, were built with shingles in mind
- Color choice: shingles come in more colors and profiles
- Neighborhood: in HOA communities and established streets, matching the neighbors can matter
When Should You Choose Standing Seam Metal?
When you plan to stay 20 years or more, your roof is steep or exposed to wind, or you want the lowest cost over the life of the home.
- Long-term home: if you'll stay 20 years or more, metal likely saves you a full roof replacement
- Steep roofs: metal sheds snow especially well on steeper pitches
- Wind-exposed sites: homes on the Rathdrum Prairie, ridgelines, or open lakeshore benefit from panels with no tabs to lift
- New construction: metal's added cost is smaller in the context of a full build
What About Exposed Fastener Metal?
Exposed fastener (AG panel) metal costs $4.50 to $6.50 per square foot and lasts 20 to 30 years. It's a good fit for shops and outbuildings, but we usually recommend shingles or standing seam for a house.
The screws go through the face of the panel, and their washers need periodic inspection so they don't leak. That upkeep can be a nuisance on a primary home, which is why we usually steer homeowners to architectural shingles or standing seam.
What About Other Roofing Materials?
Synthetic shingles, cedar shake, and slate are uncommon in North Idaho. Lakeview installs architectural shingles and metal, which cover most homes here.
- Synthetic or composite shingles: made to look like slate or shake, at a premium price and with limited local availability
- Cedar shake: once common on lake homes and cabins, but it needs regular cleaning and treatment against moss and rot
- Slate: very long-lasting but very heavy, so the structure has to be designed for it, and rare in North Idaho
Can You Walk on a Metal Roof?
A roofer can, by stepping on the flat of the panel near the supports, but we don't recommend homeowners walk on any roof. A professional inspection is safer.
If you want to know what shape your roof is in, schedule a free roof inspection. We install both shingles and metal, so we'll give you a straight recommendation for your home. See our roof replacement service.
Not Sure Which Material Is Right?
We install both. We'll look at your home, price both options, and give you a straight recommendation with no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Architectural shingles vs. metal roof: which is better in Idaho?
It depends on how long you'll stay. Architectural shingles cost about $10,000 to $14,000 on a 2,000 square foot North Idaho roof and last 20 to 25 years, so they fit owners selling within 10 years. Standing seam metal costs $24,000 to $32,000, lasts 40 to 70 years, and sheds snow, so it usually wins if you'll stay 20 years or more.
Is a metal roof worth it in North Idaho?
For most homeowners staying 20 years or more, yes. It sheds snow, has no exposed fasteners in standing seam, and the higher upfront cost usually saves you a full shingle replacement. If you're selling within 10 years, architectural shingles usually make more sense.
Is a metal roof better than shingles for snow and ice?
Metal sheds snow, so less weight sits on the roof and fewer ice dams form, but it needs snow guards over doors and walkways. Shingles hold snow until it melts, so they depend on ice barrier at the eaves and a well-ventilated attic.
How noisy is a metal roof in the rain?
Modern residential metal roofs go over solid decking with underlayment, which dampens the sound. The loud metal roof reputation comes from barns with panels fastened to open framing.
What's the cheapest metal roof option?
Exposed fastener (AG panel) metal, at $4.50 to $6.50 per square foot installed. It suits shops and outbuildings; for houses we usually recommend architectural shingles or standing seam.
About this guide. Written by Lakeview Roofing & Restoration, a family-owned roofing company in Rathdrum, Idaho, and an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor with HAAG certified inspectors. Facts in this guide were checked against the sources listed below.