Building a cabin or barn you will be faced with a lot of decisions. A roof is a very important part of any building. You certainly don’t want your house to leak or the roof to need replacing in five short years.

I have built two houses, one with shingles and one with a metal roof. My numerous outbuildings have also had a mix of roof styles. I want to share with you some DIY concerns and considerations when roofing your home.

This article will give you the pros and cons of metal versus shingle roofs, how they affect your pocketbook, ease of DIY installation, durability, and are they environmentally friendly.

Bottom Line - The Pro’s and Con’s

Cost of Roofing

Your roof is going to be one of the most expensive aspects of building your home. The cost of materials is high and if you need to hire labor that will just drive up the cost. Shingles have a pretty consistent price. Metal roofing, especially steel and aluminum, prices vary with the market and can go up in price depending on supply.

There are several types of metal roofing. We won’t get into the various types in this article but know that price can vary according to the type of metal you use.

Metal Roofs average $100 - $200 per square or $1000 - $2000 for a 1000 square foot home

Shingle Roofs average $60 - $90 per square or $600 - $900 for a 1000 square foot home

Labor

Roofs are one part of the job you may find your self needing to hire labor. Roofing is a big job and can be somewhat intimidating.

So I am afraid of heights. Roofing is not my favorite part of the building process. My first home was two floors and had a steep gambrel roof. I was able to handle the lower section but I ended up having to pay two handyman neighbors for the steep top section. I paid them with cash money and copious amounts of beer (not while they were on the roof) to help me install the shingles.

While that home still came in under $6000 total (in 1993) percentage-wise the roof was the biggest expense. I had chosen the gambrel roof style because it was economical and shed snow readily in winter. My current cabin (started in 2007) has a much simpler roof design.

In general, the labor and installation costs on a shingle roof are cheaper. A metal roof does take a bit more experience and specialized skills.

Ease of Installation

Shingles are easier to install. You can transport a bundle of shingles in the backseat of the car and work on the roof in stages. This makes it great if you are building your cabin on the weekends and just have time and money to do a section every weekend.

Shingles are easy to install and work with. You just need to line up the shingle and nail it on to the roof decking. I taught both my sons how to nail on shingles properly. Even if you make a mistake you can rip that shingle off and redo.

A nail gun is a great time saver when installing shingles

Typically, metal roofing comes in long sheets that average 2.5 feet wide and 20 feet long, although Amazon is now selling shorter sheets that are 72” X 26” which is great for a smaller project. While some places may allow you to purchase just one sheet it’s advantageous to buy them in bulk. Metal sheets are a bit awkward to haul in a car or even a truck and typically need a long trailer or have them delivered.

Metal is a bit more tedious to work with. The long sheets have to be maneuvered into place and attached with specific screws. It’s important that they are installed properly so that the ridges fit squarely over each other. Otherwise, you will have leaks.

Putting on metal sheeting takes a specific type of screw to prevent leaks. They come in a variety of colors to match the metal.

Environmental Friendliness

Metal is the big winner when it comes to being environmentally friendly. Metal roofing sheets are made of recycled metals and can themselves be recycled. They do not shed any waste material and are considered very clean.

Shingles are made of fossil fuel materials. They have small beads of tar on the shingle and these will flake off. These pieces of tar will get in your gutter system and contaminate the water during a rain.

In addition, asphalt shingles are not recyclable. State Farm insurance states that shingles add up to 20 billion pounds per year of waste to landfills.

Metal roofs are more energy-efficient. This is because the metal reflects solar radiation keeping the home cooler in summer.

Learn more about taking care of your solar panels in this article on Porch.com

Catching Rainwater

Metal is the superior roofing choice if you are planning on having a rain catchment system. The surface of the metal stays cleaner and does not shed any substrates into the water container.

Shingle roofs shed bits of tar and debris into the water. Water from a shingle roof needs a more advanced water filtration system which should be cleaned regularly as the tar bits can also leach chemicals.

Read more about harvesting rainwater in our blog EVERY DROP COUNTS: RAINWATER HARVESTING 101

Durability

Metal is the winner in durability. Metal is a much stronger substance than asphalt. Metal holds up to extreme weather, is good for shedding snow, and is less likely to suffer from sun deterioration.

Metal roofs are also safer. They are fireproof and a good choice if you plan to have a wood-burning stove or fireplace.

How Long Will A Roof Last?

A metal roof will last 40 - 60 years. The warranty on my metal was for thirty years but I feel it will outlive me with proper maintenance.

Asphalt roofs have a lifespan of 12 - 20 years.

Many metal roof companies state their roofs will withstand 130-mile winds making them safer in hurricane and tornado-prone areas.

Attractiveness

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While this may be true some architectural designs simply look better with one roof over another. This will often be a decision that can only be decided by the builder.

Shingles have long held the advantage when it comes to color options. However, metal is changing to meet the buyer with a greater range of colors and styles.

Take Away

I personally prefer metal. I do heat with wood and feel the metal is safer. I also have gutters on all my buildings for water collection.

Author, Ame Vanorio has 27 years of experience living off-grid, is a certified teacher, and an organic farmer. She is the director of Fox Run Environmental Education Center and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Ame teaches classes locally and online about organic gardening, herbs, homesteading, green building, living off-grid, and wildlife conservation. In addition, she is a freelance writer and writes for several gardening, tiny house, and pet websites. She lives a sustainable life on her Kentucky farm with a myriad of domestic and wild animals.