For most homeowners, asphalt is easier on the upfront budget; metal can justify a higher planning range when its system, details and long-term fit make sense for the house. Compare installed scope, not labels.
Treat material choice as a whole-roof decision
The material is only one part of a roofing system. Decking condition, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, slope and installation quality affect performance regardless of whether the visible surface is asphalt or metal.
That means the cheapest material is not always the cheapest completed job, and the most expensive product does not fix a weak scope.
Asphalt usually wins on upfront simplicity
Asphalt shingles are common, familiar to many contractors and usually sit at the lower end of the HomeSelect planning model. That can make them easier to budget for when the homeowner expects a conventional replacement and wants broad contractor availability.
Product quality, warranty, roof complexity and ventilation still matter. 'Asphalt' is not one uniform specification, so compare the actual product and installation details in the quote.
Metal changes both the price and the scope questions
Metal roofing usually carries a higher upfront planning cost in HomeSelect's model. The final price depends heavily on the system, profiles, trim details, roof geometry, underlayment and whether the work is a full tear-off or another approved assembly.
Ask exactly what metal system is being proposed and how valleys, eaves, ridges, penetrations, snow movement and ventilation will be handled. Those details make contractor quotes easier to compare.
Use your ownership horizon as one input
A homeowner planning to stay long term may weigh durability and future replacement cycles differently than someone preparing to sell. But resale assumptions are uncertain, and it is risky to justify a large premium only on the idea that a buyer will repay every dollar.
Choose the system that fits the house, budget, roof geometry and how long you expect to own the property — then verify the installed scope and warranty in writing.
Ask the same questions for both materials
Material comparisons get clearer when both contractors answer the same scope questions.
- What gets removed and disposed of?
- What underlayment and eaves protection are included?
- How are walls, valleys, chimneys and penetrations flashed?
- What ventilation changes are included?
- How are unexpected decking repairs priced?
- What are the product and workmanship warranties?
- Who handles cleanup and property protection?
Use the calculator to compare planning scenarios
The Ontario calculator lets you switch from standard asphalt to premium asphalt, metal or specialty roofing and see how the broad planning range changes while holding roof size and other assumptions constant. That is useful for budgeting before a contractor measures the roof.
The range is not a promise that a particular system can be installed for that amount. Use it to decide which options are worth asking contractors to price.
Compare contractor experience with the specific system
A contractor who installs asphalt every day is not automatically the right installer for every metal system, and the reverse is also true. Ask how often the company installs the exact material or profile being proposed and whether the crew doing your job has that experience.
For metal, details around valleys, penetrations, transitions and trim can be especially system-specific. For asphalt, nailing pattern, underlayment, flashing and ventilation still matter. The material label never replaces installation quality.
Do not compare warranty headlines alone
Long warranty numbers can sound decisive, but read what the warranty actually covers. Product defects, appearance, wind limits and workmanship may be handled by different documents. Ask what the homeowner must do to preserve coverage and whether registration is required.
The useful comparison is the installed system plus the enforceable warranty terms, not simply which brochure advertises the largest number of years.
Consider noise, appearance and future service access
Homeowners sometimes focus only on lifespan and price, but practical preferences matter too. Ask how the proposed assembly manages rain noise, what trim and colour options will look like on the house, and how future work around vents, skylights or solar equipment would be handled.
A system that fits the homeowner’s long-term plans and the house’s architecture can be a better choice than one selected only because it has the longest advertised life.
If you are undecided, ask contractors to quote the same roof scope with each material where practical. Holding tear-off, flashing, ventilation and cleanup constant makes the material premium much easier to understand.
Ready to move from planning to a roofer?
Use HomeSelect once. Where current Ontario coverage is available, we seek one local roofer whose service area and project fit match the request.
Official sources and further reading
HomeSelect summarizes these sources for planning. Confirm current legal, permit and safety requirements with the responsible government body and your municipality before work starts.