Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Which Is Best for Moncton Homes?
One of the questions we hear most from Moncton homeowners: metal or shingles? Both are good roofs when they're installed right. The better fit comes down to your home, your budget and how long you plan to stay. Here's the straight breakdown.
Asphalt shingles: the popular choice
Asphalt is the most common roof in Greater Moncton for good reason. We install CertainTeed architectural shingle systems.
Where asphalt wins:
- Lower upfront cost, significantly less than metal
- Dozens of colours and profiles to match any home
- Proven through Moncton winters; architectural shingles handle our freeze-thaw well
- Straightforward to repair, since damaged shingles swap out individually
The trade-offs:
- Shorter lifespan, typically 20 to 30 years for architectural shingles
- High winds can lift or tear shingles
- More exposed to ice dam damage than metal
- May want small repairs after the biggest storms
Best for: homeowners who want a quality roof at a reasonable price, plan to stay 15 to 20+ years, or have a specific look in mind.
Metal roofing: the long-game investment
Metal keeps gaining ground in Moncton, and the systems keep getting better.
Where metal wins:
- Exceptional lifespan, 50+ years with minimal maintenance
- Sheds snow instead of holding it, which cuts ice dam risk
- Excellent performance in high wind
- Reflects summer heat, which can help cooling costs
- Fully recyclable at the end of its life
The trade-offs:
- Higher upfront cost, typically 2 to 3 times asphalt
- Heavy rain reads louder, though modern underlayment quiets it a lot
- Large hail and falling branches can dent panels
- Metal moves with temperature swings, so installer experience matters a lot
Best for: homeowners staying long-term who want the most durable, lowest-maintenance roof available.
Head-to-head for Moncton
| Factor | Asphalt shingles | Metal roofing |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $8,000 - $15,000 | $15,000 - $30,000 |
| Lifespan | 20 to 30 years | 50+ years |
| Cost per year | ~$400 to $500 | ~$300 to $600 |
| Wind resistance | Good (130+ km/h) | Excellent (200+ km/h) |
| Snow performance | Average | Excellent, sheds snow |
| Ice dam risk | Higher | Lower |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Very low |
| Installation time | 1 to 2 days | 2 to 4 days |
What about New Brunswick weather?
Heavy snow: metal has the clear edge. Snow slides off, taking weight and ice dam pressure with it. Shingle roofs manage snow well too when the attic under them is ventilated properly.
Temperature swings: Moncton runs from -30°C to +30°C. Both materials handle the range. Metal expands and contracts with it, so the install has to account for that movement. It's an experience thing, and it's why your installer choice matters as much as your material choice.
Wind: Greater Moncton gets real wind, especially in winter. Metal generally outperforms in the biggest gusts, and high-wind-rated architectural shingles are very reliable too.
Heavy rain: both shed water well. Metal sheds it faster and sounds like it, and modern underlayment keeps the noise down.
Our honest take
We install both, so our recommendation follows your roof and your plans.
Go asphalt if budget leads the decision, you may sell within 15 to 20 years, or you're after a specific architectural look.
Go metal if you're in the house for the long haul, you want the lowest-maintenance roof on the market, or ice dams keep finding you.
Either way, installation quality decides more than the material does. The best shingle or panel on the market performs exactly as well as the crew that installs it.
Price both options on your actual roof
Get a free estimate and we'll walk you through both systems with one fixed number in writing for whichever you choose. The decision stays yours the whole way, and this season's install calendar is filling now.
More on our metal roofing and roof replacement pages, or reach us here.