Metal Trade Group Sees Opening in Asphalt Shingle Brouhaha

Like the blacksmiths of the 15th Century, the media-savvy publicists at the Metal Roofing Alliance, the nation’s largest trade group representing the interests of metal roofing installers and manufacturers, are striking while the iron is hot.

On Tuesday, the MRA issued a news release capitalizing on comments made last December by Michael Yaworsky, Florida's insurance commissioner, who floated the idea of revising The Sunshine State’s insurance premium structure, effectively placing asphalt shingle in the crosshairs.

Beginning with a headline that asked, “Adios Shingles?" the MRA recognizes the chance to expand its reach further into markets long dominated by the nation’s most widely used petroleum-based roofing product.

Asphalt shingles continue to be the leading choice for residential roofing in the United States, and it's not even close: about 80% of American homes feature either three-tab or dimensional asphalt roofs, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.

The MCA news release referred to the controversy without mentioning Yaworsky or his comment that it's  "...time to look past asphalt shingles.”

Instead, the brief offered that Florida was questioning the durability and longevity of asphalt shingles and topped it off by asserting that “…serious questions [exist] about asphalt roofing's ability to stand up to climate extremes.”

Employing the Churchillian maxim of never letting a good crisis go to waste, the MCA has plenty of fodder for its argument. With billions of dollars in damage from last fall’s back-to-back hurricanes in the Southeast, this month’s devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, and property insurance markets in disarray, metal may be having a moment.

"Threats are increasing, home insurance premiums are increasing," Renee Ramey, the Metal Roofing Alliance’s executive director, said. "The time for short-term thinking has passed, and now it's all about realizing what the long-term costs really are for using less resilient building materials and methods."

While the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation clarified Yaworsky’s remarks, stating there were no plans to ban asphalt shingles in the "immediate future," the resilience of alternative materials like metal and composites begs the question of whether asphalt can ultimately retain its place atop the roof even with its affordability and ease of installation.

(While we trust asphalt will remain dominant in the market for generations, the competition makes some compelling arguments.)

"Times change, needs evolve; for the next generation of residential roofing solutions, it's only natural that the market shifts to better meet today's challenges,” Ramsey said. “This represents not only adopting a new mindset, but working to meet the rising demand." 

Over the past five years, the U.S. residential roofing market has seen a noteworthy shift from traditional shingles to metal roofing, and according to Metal Construction News, metal's share in the residential sector increased from 12% in 2019 to 18% in 2024.

Yet, asphalt shingles can’t be beaten in terms of cost, with average installation running around $9,200. In contrast, metal roofs typically range between $8,500 and $13,200, depending on materials and design. While the upfront investment for metal is higher, its longevity — often exceeding 50 years compared to asphalt's 20-30 years — offers long-term value. 

The Insurance Institute for Business and Safety also notes how metal roofs provide superior resistance to severe weather events, including high winds, hail, and wildfires - making them a compelling choice for homeowners in vulnerable regions.

The Freedonia Group projects that U.S. demand for metal roofing will rise at an average annual rate of 0.7%, reaching 38.07 million squares by 2026.

"No doubt it's an opportunity for forward-thinking contractors and installers who want to continue to grow their business and help customers better protect their homes," Ramsay said.

And since roofs bear the brunt of climate extremes — monster storms, massive hail, and extreme heat — the shift toward more resilient roofing materials is becoming not just an economic consideration but a safety imperative.