October 20, 2026 · 8 min read · Materials
The short answer
Shingles cost less up front. Metal costs more up front and generally lasts longer. In Palm Beach County a shingle roof generally lasts 13 to 18 years and a metal roof 20 to 25 years. If you plan to stay in the home a long time, metal often costs less per year of service. If you are selling soon, working to a tight budget, or your HOA limits roof types, shingles usually make more sense.
Molsbee Roofing installs both, so we have no reason to push one over the other. We have roofed Palm Beach County homes since 1975 and work from our shop in Lake Worth Beach.
Side by side
| Asphalt shingles | Metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Lifespan in Palm Beach County | Generally 13 to 18 years | Generally 20 to 25 years |
| Heat | Darker shingles absorb heat | Reflective finishes shed more heat |
| Wind | Relies on correct nailing and sealing | Interlocking or seamed panels resist uplift when fastened to code |
| Salt air | Shingles hold up; edge metal needs coastal specs | Panel metal must suit the distance from salt water |
| Repairs | Simple, quick to patch | Fewer repairs, but a specialist job |
| Rain noise | Quiet | Quiet over a solid deck and underlayment |
| HOA approval | Widely accepted | Check your HOA's rules first |
What actually drives the cost
We do not publish a price chart, because two homes of the same size can land far apart. These are the things that move the number for either material:
- Roof size and shape. Hips, valleys, dormers and low-slope sections add labor and trim.
- The deck under the old roof. Once the tear-off is done, rotted or damaged sheathing has to be replaced.
- Tear-off and disposal. Removing one layer or more, and hauling it away.
- The system you pick. For metal, standing seam sits at the upper end; metal shingle profiles cost less. For shingles, architectural lines cost more than basic three-tab.
- Permits and inspections. Every re-roof in Palm Beach County needs a permit and city or county inspections, which we file and schedule for you.
That is why the only honest number is a written price after someone has been on your roof.
When shingles make more sense
- You plan to sell in the next few years.
- You want the lowest upfront price for a sound, code-built roof.
- Your HOA or neighborhood look favors shingles.
- The roof has many angles and penetrations, where shingles are simpler to detail.
When metal makes more sense
- You plan to stay in the home for the long run.
- You want fewer replacements over the life of the house.
- You want a reflective roof to help with heat in the attic.
- You like the clean lines of standing seam, or a metal profile that reads as shingle or tile from the street.
Salt air: the question we get most near the water
Close to the Intracoastal or the ocean, the type of metal matters. On those homes we specify aluminum or coated steel with fasteners and edge metal made for salt exposure. Inland, in places like Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, more options are open. For shingles, the same rule applies to the drip edge and flashing: coastal specs near the water.
Paying for the roof
If metal is the roof you want but the upfront cost is the hurdle, ask about roof financing. Financing is available on approved credit, with zero-down options and flexible terms, so you can compare the two roofs on a monthly basis instead of only the upfront price.
See the options for your town
Compare metal roof replacement in West Palm Beach and shingle roof replacement in West Palm Beach, or look at metal roofs in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Jupiter. For the materials themselves, see our guides to metal roofs and shingle roofs.
Next step
Call (561) 318-8624 or request a free roof inspection. We will price both options for your roof, in writing, so you can compare them side by side before you decide.
