December 10, 2025
January 7, 2026
If you want to know how tough a roof really is, put it on a Reno house and give it a few seasons.
Roofs here don’t face one problem at a time. They get hammered by alpine wind, baked by high-altitude sun, and buried under snow, sometimes all within the same stretch of weeks. Then there’s the freeze-thaw cycle slowly eating away at the seams and fasteners until water finds its way in.
So, when homeowners in Reno ask whether to go with a metal roof or stick with asphalt shingles, they’re not making a cosmetic decision. They’re deciding what’s going to survive the next 20 to 40 years without turning into a regular repair project.
As experienced Reno roofing contractors, we’ve worked in this region long enough to see the patterns. Some roofing materials look good on paper, then buckle under Reno’s conditions. Others cost more upfront but end up lasting decades longer.
Let’s walk through the differences between metal roof vs asphalt shingles, plainly and honestly, so you can pick the best option for your Reno home.
Before choosing between a metal roof and a shingle roof, it helps to understand what each is made of and how these materials perform in Reno’s unique climate.
Many homeowners ask what asphalt roofing shingles are made of, and the answer explains a lot about how they perform.
Most asphalt shingle roofs are made with a three-layer system:
These shingles are flexible, lightweight, and designed to be layered, so water runs down and off the roof. In most climates, they’re a budget-friendly option with a decent lifespan. But in Reno’s harsh sun and unpredictable weather, they tend to wear down faster than they would elsewhere.
A metal roof typically consists of large panels made from coated steel or aluminum. The metal itself forms the weather barrier, while protective finishes (like baked-on paint or zinc coatings) help resist corrosion and fading. These panels are either ribbed or standing seam in design, both of which shed water and snow easily.
Unlike shingles, a metal roof can handle Reno’s sun, wind, and snow with fewer issues over time.
Reno’s weather is dry, intense, and variable. Asphalt shingles tend to wear out faster here than they do in milder parts of the country, especially on south- or west-facing slopes that take full sun.
Over time, the granules wear off, the asphalt dries, and leaks and cracks start to show up sooner than the warranty might suggest.
Metal roofs, by contrast, hold up far better against those same conditions. They reflect heat, shed snow easily, and resist high winds without losing their shape. For homes in exposed areas or neighborhoods, metal often proves to be the lower-maintenance option in the long run.
Reno weather doesn’t go easy on roofing. Between the sun, snow, wind, and constant temperature swings, materials age faster here than they would almost anywhere else.
Knowing the difference between a metal roof and a shingle roof gives you a realistic starting point. From there, it comes down to how long you plan to stay in the home, how much maintenance you’re willing to deal with, and what kind of performance you expect year after year.
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An asphalt shingles roof is still the most common choice across Reno neighborhoods, and for good reason. Asphalt shingles are familiar, widely available, and easy to work with.
That said, when weighing asphalt shingles versus metal roof options, it helps to look at the trade-offs clearly.
If you’re weighing asphalt shingles versus metal roof options, cost is only part of the story. Longevity, weather resistance, and future upkeep are just as significant.
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Metal roofing in Reno is a practical response to a climate that eats through cheap materials fast. If you’re comparing a metal roof vs asphalt shingles, this is where metal starts to pull ahead.
Put simply, metal trades short-term savings for decades of reliability. That’s a trade many Reno homeowners are willing to make.
Let’s forget the brochures for a second. Asphalt shingles versus metal roofs is a performance test that starts the minute the weather turns.
Asphalt shingles absorb heat like a sponge. That’s not great when it’s 103 degrees in the shade and your AC is begging for mercy. Once the shingles heat up, the warmth gets pushed into your attic and radiates down.
Metal takes a different route. It reflects most of the sun’s heat to keep your attic cooler and your energy bills in check.
So, if you’re wondering if a metal roof is better than a shingle roof during a Reno summer, the answer is yes, and your HVAC system would agree.
An asphalt shingles roof might be rated for 25–30 years, but in Reno, 15–20 is more realistic.
For metal, you’re looking at 40-70 years, sometimes more, with far fewer issues along the way. If this is your “forever home” or even just your “next 20 years” home, metal makes a strong case.
Asphalt shingles can tear, lift, or shift in high winds. They also tend to trap snow, which can lead to ice damming and leaks.
Metal sheds snow easily, holds steady in strong gusts, and handles hail better, especially with steel or higher-gauge systems.
Shingle roofs need more attention. You’ll be checking for lifted edges, worn spots, and cracked areas more often.
Metal roofing needs less upkeep, but when something does go wrong, it can be more involved to repair. Still, over 30 or 40 years, most homeowners spend less on maintenance with metal than they would with shingles.
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At first glance, asphalt shingles are the cheaper choice. They cost less to install and work well if you're not planning to stay in the home long-term.
But when you factor in Reno’s weather, shingles wear out faster, need more repairs, and may be replaced twice in the time a metal roof lasts once.
Metal roofing costs more upfront, but offers long-term value: lower maintenance, fewer replacements, and better energy efficiency in summer. Over time, it often ends up being the smarter, more cost-effective choice in this climate.
In Reno’s climate, a metal roof or shingle roof comparison often favors metal. Metal handles heat, wind, and snow better, lasts longer, and reflects sunlight. Shingles cost less upfront but usually need replacement sooner.
Many homeowners ask what asphalt roofing shingles are made of. An asphalt shingles roof uses a fiberglass base for strength, asphalt layers for water protection, and mineral granules on top to add color and shield the shingles from sun damage.
Metal roofing commonly lasts 40–70 years, depending on installation and exposure. An asphalt shingles roof in Reno typically lasts 15–20 years, with sun and temperature swings playing a major role in shortening its lifespan.
A properly installed metal roof or asphalt shingles system should not be noisy indoors. With solid decking and insulation, metal roofs sound similar to shingles during rain. Noise issues usually trace back to poor installation, not the material itself.
Between a metal roof and asphalt shingles, metal often costs less over time. Higher upfront pricing is offset by fewer repairs, longer lifespan, and lower cooling costs, while shingles usually bring higher maintenance and earlier replacement expenses.
Roofing brochures love national averages and ideal conditions. Reno offers neither.
Picking a roof here means thinking ahead, not just looking at today’s price.
Both asphalt shingles and metal roofing can work in Reno homes. One trades a lower upfront cost for a shorter lifespan. The other trades higher installation price for decades of performance.
The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay in your home and how much maintenance you’re willing to deal with over time.
If you want help making that call, Mountain Vista Roof Systems can walk you through your options, evaluate your home, and recommend what makes sense for Reno conditions. Contact us for a consultation today!
