**Metal lasts roughly twice as long and costs about three times as much.** Which wins depends almost entirely on how long you’re staying.
Where metal is the better choice:
– **Lifespan.** 40 to 50 years versus 18 to 22 for architectural shingle.
– **Wind performance.** Properly installed standing seam handles hurricane-force wind better than any asphalt product.
– **Heat reflection.** A reflective metal roof can measurably reduce attic temperature and cooling load in a Houston summer.
– **Hail.** It dents rather than fracturing, so it usually keeps functioning even when it looks damaged.
Where shingle still wins:
– **Up-front cost,** which is the deciding factor for most homeowners.
– **Repairability.** A shingle repair is simple and cheap; metal panel repairs often mean replacing a full run.
– **HOA approval.** Many Houston-area HOAs restrict metal on residential streets. Check your covenants before falling in love with it.
– **Matching the neighborhood** at resale.
The honest version: if you’re staying more than 20 years, metal is usually the better lifetime value. Under 10 years, you won’t recover the premium at sale. Between those, it’s preference.