The short answer
One Michigan cost guide publishes architectural asphalt at $450 to $750 per square installed, exposed-fastener metal at $650 to $1,000 and standing-seam metal at $1,100 to $1,800. InterNACHI puts metal's life at 40 to 80 years against about 30 for architectural shingles. Architectural shingles cost a little more than 3-tab but carry stronger wind ratings and warranties. GAF's and Owens Corning's main architectural lines are closely matched: 10 years of full coverage and 130 mph wind ratings with the right installation.
Metal roof vs. shingles: the price
Published Michigan prices per square
| Roofing | Published price | Who publishes it |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt | $350 – $500 per square | Reasonable Contracting Services (Michigan cost guide) |
| Architectural asphalt | $450 – $750 per square | Reasonable Contracting Services (Michigan cost guide) |
| Premium or designer asphalt | $700 – $1,100 per square | Reasonable Contracting Services (Michigan cost guide) |
| Exposed-fastener metal | $650 – $1,000 per square | Reasonable Contracting Services (Michigan cost guide) |
| Standing-seam metal | $1,100 – $1,800 per square | Reasonable Contracting Services (Michigan cost guide) |
| Architectural instead of 3-tab | $1,500 – $3,000 more for an average home | Next Exteriors, Mount Clemens |
Installed prices as published, checked September 27, 2026. A square is 100 sq ft of roof surface. Reasonable Contracting's prices include tear-off of one layer, disposal, underlayment, the code-required ice barrier, flashing, ridge vent and labor. The Metal Roofing Alliance, a metal industry group, estimates metal at roughly two to three times the cost of asphalt.
To turn these into a total for your house, the roof squares and cost calculator works out the squares from the footprint and pitch.
Need this done?
Ready to compare real numbers? Ask for a replacement estimate and have the roofer price the materials you're weighing as separate options.
Roof replacement in Royal OakLifespan, snow and noise
How long each lasts
InterNACHI's life expectancy chart gives metal 40 to 80 years, architectural asphalt about 30 and 3-tab about 20, with normal maintenance. The Metal Roofing Alliance claims 30 to 50+ years for metal. Either way, metal usually outlasts shingles, which matters most if you're staying for decades.
Snow sliding off
Metal sheds snow quickly. On a Royal Oak house with a walkway, porch or driveway under the eaves, that can mean sudden slides. The Metal Roofing Alliance says snow guards fit every style of metal roof; ask for them in the estimate where snow would land on people, gutters or a lower roof.
Rain and hail noise
The Metal Roofing Alliance says there's "little difference" in rain or hail noise between metal and other materials.
Over the old roof?
The metal industry says metal can often go over an existing roof. Michigan's residential code doesn't allow a re-cover over two or more existing layers (R908.3.1.1), and a tear-off lets the roofer check the decking. The reroof permit and overlay checker walks through it.
Architectural vs. 3-tab shingles
3-tab shingles are a single flat layer cut into three tabs, which gives the roof an even, brick-like pattern. Architectural (laminated or dimensional) shingles are two layers bonded together, thicker and heavier, with a shadowed, textured look. Most local roofers' published Royal Oak prices are for architectural shingles.
3-tab vs. architectural: what the manufacturers publish
| 3-tab | Architectural | |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (InterNACHI) | 20 years | 30 years |
| GAF wind warranty | 60 mph (Royal Sovereign) | 110 mph, or 130 mph with special installation (Timberline UHDZ) |
| Owens Corning wind warranty | 60 mph (Supreme) | 130 mph (Duration series) |
| GAF full-coverage (non-prorated) period | 5 years | 10 years |
| Owens Corning non-prorated period | 5 years | 10 years |
| Price difference | $1,500 – $3,000 more for an average home (Next Exteriors) |
From GAF's Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty (2026 edition) and Owens Corning's January 2026 limited warranty, checked October 12, 2026. Each warranty has conditions; read the one for the exact shingle on your estimate.
GAF vs. Owens Corning
They are the two shingle brands you'll see most on Royal Oak estimates, and their main architectural lines are closely matched on paper.
- GAF Timberline HDZ: a 15-year WindProven limited wind warranty with no maximum wind speed when installed with four qualifying GAF accessories; a 25-year StainGuard Plus algae warranty; UL 2218 Class 3 impact rating. GAF says it makes no warranty against hail damage.
- Owens Corning Duration series: 130 mph wind rating and 10 years of non-prorated coverage, including labor; a 25-year algae-resistance warranty, cut to 10 years without a qualifying Owens Corning ridge product.
- Upgraded system warranties: GAF's System Plus, Silver Pledge and Golden Pledge extend non-prorated coverage to 50 years, and the higher tiers add workmanship coverage, but they need qualifying accessories and a GAF-certified contractor. Owens Corning sells its own system warranties; ask the roofer which tier, from either maker, the estimate includes.
In practice, the installer and the details (ice and water shield, flashing, ventilation) matter more than the brand. Ask which warranty tier the estimate includes, and whether the contractor can register it.
Which to choose
- Staying 10 years or less, tight budget: architectural asphalt is the usual choice; 3-tab saves little and carries weaker warranties
- Staying for decades: price standing-seam metal alongside asphalt and compare the cost per year of expected life
- Steep Tudor or colonial with many valleys: ask for both prices, since complexity adds labor to either
- Historic district: Royal Oak's Historic District Commission reviews alterations, so check before changing materials
See roof replacement for what a full re-roof should include, and the shingle lifespan guide for how long each lasts in Michigan.
Questions about metal roof vs. shingles
How much more does a metal roof cost than shingles in Michigan?
Reasonable Contracting Services' Michigan cost guide publishes architectural asphalt at $450 to $750 per square installed and standing-seam metal at $1,100 to $1,800. The Metal Roofing Alliance puts metal at roughly two to three times the cost of asphalt.
Is a metal roof noisy in the rain?
The Metal Roofing Alliance says there's little difference in rain or hail noise between metal and other materials.
Are architectural shingles worth it over 3-tab?
Usually. Next Exteriors, a Mount Clemens roofer, puts the difference at $1,500 to $3,000 for an average home, and the manufacturers give architectural shingles longer full-coverage periods and higher wind ratings.
Is GAF or Owens Corning better?
Their main architectural lines are closely matched: both give 10 years of non-prorated coverage and 130 mph wind ratings with the right installation, plus 25-year algae warranties with conditions. The installer and the warranty tier matter more than the brand.
Can a metal roof go over my old shingles?
Sometimes, but Michigan's residential code doesn't allow a re-cover over two or more existing layers, and a tear-off lets the roofer check the decking. Ask how many layers are on the house now.
Where this information comes from
The facts and figures on this page come from these published pages, checked on October 12, 2026.
- Reasonable Contracting Services: roof replacement cost in Michigan · Michigan roof replacement cost guide, updated September 14, 2026
- Next Exteriors: roofing costs in Michigan · Mount Clemens roofer's cost-driver guide, March 2026
- InterNACHI: estimated life expectancy chart · Home inspectors' association guideline chart, roofing section
- Metal Roofing Alliance: FAQs · Metal roofing industry group's homeowner answers
- Metal Roofing Alliance: snow and ice · Metal roofing industry group's guidance on snow guards
- GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty (RESWT160L) · Shingle manufacturer's 2026 warranty, for products installed after January 1, 2025
- GAF: Timberline HDZ shingles · Shingle manufacturer's product page
- GAF: residential warranty comparison · Shingle manufacturer's warranty tiers
- Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration limited warranty · Shingle manufacturer's warranty, January 2026
- Michigan Residential Code 2015, chapter 9: roof assemblies · State code text reproduced by Highland Township: roofing slopes, ice barriers and re-roofing; checked October 2, 2026
- Guthix Roofing: Royal Oak · Wyandotte roofer's Royal Oak page, updated July 4, 2026
- City of Royal Oak: Historic District Commission · City review of work on historic district properties
