Houston has both — and they age differently, cost differently, and pay back on different timelines. Here's how each system works and how to choose.
Laminated fiberglass-asphalt shingles — the default Houston roof for three decades. Thick, dimensional, wind-rated well beyond basic 3-tab, and the cheapest respectable way to cover a roof per year of service when ventilation is right.
Strengths: lowest upfront cost; every crew can install and repair them; wide color range.
Weaknesses: finite life in Gulf heat; granule shedding; storm-by-storm attrition.
Standing-seam or formed metal panels, most often coated steel in Houston. A premium system whose entire case is longevity and storm resilience.
Strengths: 40-plus-year service; no granules or sealant strips to fail; excellent wind performance when properly fastened.
Weaknesses: roughly double the upfront cost; specialist repair; cosmetic hail dimpling possible.
| Architectural shingles | Metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Expected life (InterNACHI chart) | ≈ 30 years (plan 20–30 in Houston heat) | 40–80 years |
| Houston installed cost | $4–$6 per sq ft | ≈ $11 per sq ft; avg job ≈ $10,995 |
| Repair ecosystem | Any roofer, same-week parts | Metal crews; panel-matched materials |
| Storm behavior | Wind lift and hail fracture are the failure modes | Wind-resistant; hail may dimple cosmetically without leaking |
| Best for | Most homes; sellers within a decade | Long-term owners; second-roof avoidance |
Full service details: roof replacement · metal roofing · Houston cost guide.
How long will you own this house? Under about ten years, architectural shingles win on arithmetic almost every time. Over fifteen, metal's second-roof avoidance and lower maintenance start paying. In between, get both priced off the same measurement — our quotes can do exactly that — and decide with your timeline, not a salesman's.
An inspector gets on the roof, checks the attic side too, photographs everything, and tells you — in writing — whether you need a repair, a replacement, or nothing at all. Most inspections take about an hour.