Last Updated: June 23, 2026 | Author: Tripp Atkinson, Founder, ContractingPRO

For most homes in Tennessee, asphalt shingle is the right roof. It performs well in our climate, costs far less upfront, and is what the overwhelming majority of Memphis-area homes use. Metal roofing lasts longer and has real strengths, but it costs significantly more and fits a narrower set of homes and homeowners.

We will give you the straight comparison, because you deserve one. We will also be upfront about something most comparison pages hide: ContractingPRO installs asphalt shingle replacement systems. We do not install full metal roof replacements. We would rather tell you that now than steer you toward the product we happen to sell.

So read this as an honest comparison, not a sales pitch for one side. Here is how asphalt and metal stack up for a Tennessee home, and which homeowner each one fits.

Why the Climate Matters Here

Tennessee roofs face heat, long humidity, and a real storm season with hail and high wind. Both asphalt and metal can handle our weather. They just handle it differently.

Asphalt sheds water well, can be repaired section by section, and has the deepest supply and labor base in the Memphis market, which keeps cost and turnaround reasonable. Metal excels at shedding water on low slopes, resists fire, and lasts decades longer, though hail can dent some metal panels and a poor install can be noisy or leak at the seams. Neither is immune to our weather. The difference is in cost, lifespan, and fit.

Asphalt Shingle: The Strengths

Asphalt is the default for good reasons.

• Cost. Far lower upfront than metal, often by a wide margin.

• Proven in our market. It is the field-tested choice across the Memphis suburbs, with broad material and labor availability.

• Repairable. Damage to one area can be easily fixed without redoing the whole roof.

• Choice. Architectural shingles give you durability and a clean look. Designer shingles can mimic slate or wood shake for homeowners who want premium curb appeal.

• Certified systems. Installed by an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, asphalt can carry enhanced manufacturer warranty tiers that most contractors cannot access.

The tradeoff is lifespan. A quality asphalt roof in Tennessee lasts 15 to 25 years, less than metal.

Metal Roofing: The Strengths and the Catches

Metal has genuine advantages, and it is fair to name them.

• Lifespan. A metal roof can last 40 years or more, well beyond asphalt.

• Low-slope and fire performance. Metal sheds water effectively on low pitches and resists fire.

• Reflectivity. Metal reflects sunlight, which can help with attic heat in our long summers. We will not promise a specific dollar figure on your energy bill, because that depends on your home, your insulation, and your habits.

The catches are real too.

• Cost. Metal commonly runs two to three times the cost of asphalt upfront.

• Hail and denting. Some metal panels dent under hail, which is cosmetic but bothers many homeowners.

• Installation sensitivity. Metal is unforgiving of a poor install. Seam and fastener detailing has to be right, or it leaks.

• Repair and matching. Section repairs and color matching can be harder than with asphalt.

• Fit and resale. In many Memphis residential neighborhoods, asphalt is the expected look, and some HOAs restrict metal.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Who Each Roof Is For

Asphalt is for the typical Memphis-area homeowner who wants dependable, long-term protection at the best value-to-performance ratio, a roof that fits the neighborhood, and the option to step up to a designer look without the cost of metal. That is most homes here.

Metal is for a narrower group, homeowners with low-slope sections where metal performs better, owners of rural or contemporary homes where the look fits, or buyers planning to stay several decades who want the longest possible lifespan and will pay a premium for it.

If you have decided you specifically want a full metal roof, we are not your installer, and we will say so plainly rather than talk you into asphalt. If you want the right roof for a typical Tennessee home and value transparency and a long warranty, that is exactly what we do.

How ContractingPRO Approaches This

We install asphalt shingle replacement systems as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, the top tier, less than 1 percent of the industry. Every full replacement is a complete system: tear-off, synthetic underlayment, new flashing, proper ventilation, and the shingle itself, backed by our 10-Year Workmanship Warranty and Owens Corning's material warranty.

Our free inspection gives you 30 to 50 annotated photos and an honest read on what your home needs. If that is an asphalt system, we are the right call, from a company operating under the same name since 2012, and one that will still be here in 2036.

Peace of mind, not pressure.

FAQ

Does ContractingPRO install metal roofs? We install asphalt shingle replacement systems, but we do not install full metal roof replacements. If you specifically want a new metal roof, we are not the right installer, and we will tell you that directly.

Is metal better than asphalt? It depends on the home and the homeowner. Metal lasts longer and performs well on low slopes, but it costs two to three times more and fits fewer Memphis neighborhoods. For most Tennessee homes, a quality asphalt system is the better value.

Will a metal roof lower my energy bills? Metal reflects sunlight, which can reduce attic heat. We will not promise a specific savings amount, because that depends on your insulation, your home, and how you use it. Be skeptical of any contractor who guarantees a dollar figure.

Does hail damage metal roofs? It can dent some metal panels. The damage is usually cosmetic rather than a leak, but many homeowners do not like the look. Asphalt can also be damaged by hail and is repairable in sections.

How long does an asphalt roof last in Tennessee? Typically 15 to 25 years, depending on the shingle, the install quality, and your attic ventilation. Our heat and humidity push roofs toward the shorter end when ventilation is poor, which is one of the things we check and correct during a replacement.

Keep reading:

• Roof Replacement in Memphis

• What Memphis Homeowners Say About Us

• Roofing Across Memphis & the Mid-South

• Book Your Free Roof Inspection →