Asphalt vs. Metal Roofing: Which Is Right for Your Kansas Home?
Two solid options, two very different price tags. Here's an honest breakdown of what works, and what doesn't, in Kansas weather.
Want a straight answer about your own roof?
Free inspection, written report, no sales pitch. We cover Johnson, Douglas, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties.
We get this question at least once a week: should I go with asphalt or metal? Both are good choices for Kansas homes, but they solve different problems. Here's the honest breakdown. No sales pitch.
| Asphalt shingles | Metal roofing | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $8,000, $15,000 | $15,000, $25,000 |
| Lifespan | 20, 30 years | 40, 70 years |
| Hail resistance | Good (Class 4 IR) | Excellent |
| Wind rating | Up to 130 mph | Up to 140 mph |
| Insurance pricing | Policy-specific | Policy-specific |
| Best for | Tight budget, short timeline | Long-term ownership, severe weather areas |
Asphalt shingles: the workhorse
There's a reason about 80% of the roofs in Johnson County are asphalt. It's proven, it's affordable, and pretty much every roofer in Kansas knows how to install it well. A quality architectural shingle from GAF or Owens Corning will run you somewhere between $350-$500 per square installed, and you'll get 20-30 years out of it depending on the product and the weather.
The downside? Kansas weather beats the hell out of asphalt. Big hail can destroy a roof that's only a few years old. The granules wear down over time, especially on south-facing slopes that bake in the summer sun. And if you're in a hail-prone area, which, let's face it, is most of Kansas, you might end up replacing your roof more than once over 40 years.
A roof, from the outside in
Outside
- ShinglesSheds water, takes the hail hits
- UnderlaymentSynthetic sheet, second line of defense
- Ice and water shieldSealed membrane at the eaves and valleys
- Roof deckThe plywood everything nails into
- Vented atticAir has to keep moving through here
Inside your home
Metal roofing: the long game
Metal roofs have come a long way from the corrugated barn panels your grandpa had. Modern standing-seam metal roofing looks sharp, lasts for decades and can be specified with an impact rating. If insurance pricing is part of your decision, ask your insurer for a written quote tied to the exact product. No discount is guaranteed.
But here's the catch, metal is expensive. You're looking at roughly double the cost of asphalt for a standing-seam install, sometimes more. And finding a roofer who does metal well in the KC area isn't as easy as finding one who does shingles. Bad metal installation leads to leaks at the seams, and fixing those is a pain.
The Kansas weather factor
Kansas throws everything at your roof: 100 degree summers, sub-zero winter nights, hail, straight-line winds, and ice storms. Asphalt handles temperature swings well and it's easy to repair when storm damage happens. Metal handles long-term wear better and won't degrade from UV the way asphalt does. One thing people ask about is the noise: yes, metal is louder in heavy rain and hail, though modern underlayment helps a lot with that.
Our take
For many homeowners in the KC metro, asphalt still makes sense because of its lower upfront cost and broad installer availability. Metal can suit a homeowner who plans to stay long term and prioritizes durability. Storm coverage depends on the policy and insurer, regardless of material. We install both and can prepare a written estimate for either option. Call (913) 954-4501 to compare the construction scopes.
Questions we get asked
Want a straight answer about your own roof?
Free inspection, written report, no sales pitch. We cover Johnson, Douglas, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties.
