If you’re researching roofing options for your Pompano Beach home, you’ve probably noticed the debate between metal roofing and asphalt shingles. It’s a decision that homeowners across South Florida face regularly, and there’s no universal answer. Both materials have earned their place in our coastal communities, but they perform very differently under the unique demands of Florida’s climate.
After seven decades of installing and maintaining roofs in South Florida, we’ve seen both materials succeed and fail. The right choice depends on your specific situation—your budget, how long you plan to stay in your home, your neighborhood’s aesthetic, and what you prioritize most in a roofing system. Let’s walk through what you actually need to know, without the sales pressure.
Understanding Your South Florida Roofing Environment
Before diving into material comparisons, it’s important to understand what your roof faces in Pompano Beach. Your roof isn’t just protecting you from occasional rain—it’s your primary defense against:
- Hurricane-force winds that can exceed 150 mph during major storms
- Intense UV radiation year-round that degrades materials faster than anywhere else in the country
- Salt air that accelerates corrosion and deterioration
- Heavy rainfall during summer months, often several inches in a single afternoon
- Extreme heat that causes materials to expand and contract daily
These conditions mean that roofing materials performing well in Georgia or the Carolinas may fail prematurely here. Any residential roofing contractor in Pompano Beach worth their salt understands these regional challenges and recommends materials accordingly.
Asphalt Shingles: The Traditional Choice
Asphalt shingles remain the most common roofing material in America, and they’re still widely installed across Pompano Beach. There are good reasons for their popularity, but also important limitations to understand.
The Advantages of Asphalt Shingles
Lower upfront cost is the primary draw. For asphalt shingle installation in South Florida, you’re typically looking at $4 to $7 per square foot installed, depending on the quality tier you select. For a 2,000 square foot roof, that’s $8,000 to $14,000—significantly less than metal alternatives.
Architectural shingles have also improved considerably over the years. Modern impact-resistant shingles can achieve Class 4 impact ratings, which many insurance companies reward with premium discounts. They’re available in numerous colors and styles that complement traditional Florida architecture beautifully.
Installation is faster and simpler. Most asphalt shingle installations can be completed in two to three days, causing less disruption to your household. Nearly any roofing contractor can work with shingles competently, giving you more options if repairs are needed down the road.
The Limitations in Our Climate
Here’s where honesty matters: asphalt shingles have a shorter lifespan in South Florida than manufacturers advertise. Those “30-year shingles” typically last 15-20 years here due to our intense sun and heat. We’ve seen premium shingles fail in 12 years when improperly ventilated or maintained.
UV degradation is relentless. The constant sun breaks down the asphalt binders, causing granule loss. Once you start seeing significant granule accumulation in your gutters, the shingles are failing. They become brittle, crack more easily, and lose their water-shedding capability.
Hurricane resistance has limits. While impact-resistant shingles help with hail and debris, they’re more vulnerable to wind uplift than metal. Even properly installed shingles can blow off during major hurricanes. We’ve responded to countless calls after storms where otherwise good shingle roofs suffered significant wind damage.
Heat absorption is another factor. Dark asphalt shingles can reach 170°F on summer afternoons, radiating heat into your attic and increasing cooling costs. Even lighter colors stay considerably hotter than reflective metal options.
Metal Roofing: The Long-Term Investment
Metal roofing has grown substantially in South Florida over the past two decades, and that growth isn’t just marketing—it’s homeowners recognizing the long-term value, especially for hurricane-resistant roofing in South Florida.
Why Metal Performs Better Here
Longevity is metal’s strongest selling point. A properly installed metal roof from a qualified metal roofing contractor in Pompano Beach should last 40-60 years with minimal maintenance. We’re still maintaining metal roofs we installed in the 1980s that have decades of life remaining. That’s two to three asphalt roof replacements avoided.
Hurricane performance is exceptional. Metal roofing systems with proper fastening and underlayment routinely withstand Category 4 and 5 hurricanes. The interlocking panels create a continuous barrier that resists wind uplift far better than individual shingles. After Hurricane Irma, the metal roofs we’d installed remained largely untouched while surrounding shingle roofs needed extensive repairs.
Energy efficiency makes a real difference in your utility bills. Reflective metal roofing can reduce cooling costs by 20-30% compared to dark asphalt shingles. Given our year-round air conditioning needs, that’s significant savings compounding over decades.
Low maintenance requirements mean fewer headaches. Metal doesn’t absorb water, resists algae and mildew growth, and won’t crack or curl. Beyond occasional cleaning and inspection, there’s little maintenance needed. No more worrying about replacing broken shingles after every thunderstorm.
The Investment Required
The primary hurdle is upfront cost. Metal roofing typically runs $8 to $14 per square foot installed, sometimes higher for premium styles like standing seam or copper. For that same 2,000 square foot roof, you’re looking at $16,000 to $28,000 or more.
That’s real money, and not every homeowner has that budget available. There’s no shame in acknowledging that—we always discuss financing options and even whether a well-maintained asphalt roof might serve you better if you’re planning to sell within five years.
Installation requires specialized expertise. Not every contractor has the training and equipment for proper metal roof installation. Choosing an experienced metal roofing contractor in Pompano Beach is critical—poor installation undermines all the material’s benefits.
Noise during heavy rain concerns some homeowners, though proper insulation and underlayment minimize this issue significantly. Most of our clients report they barely notice any difference once the roof is properly installed.
Making Your Decision: Questions to Ask Yourself
Rather than telling you which to choose, here are the right questions to guide your decision:
How long do you plan to stay in your home? If you’re selling within five years, the metal roof investment may not pay off. If this is your forever home, metal’s lifetime value becomes compelling.
What’s your realistic budget? Can you comfortably afford metal, or would stretching financially for it prevent other necessary home maintenance? A quality asphalt roof is better than a bargain metal roof from an inexperienced installer.
How much do you value storm protection? If hurricane anxiety keeps you up at night, metal roofing’s superior performance may provide peace of mind worth the investment. The insurance discounts often help offset the cost difference.
What are your neighborhood aesthetics? Some HOAs restrict metal roofing, or your home’s architectural style may look better with traditional shingles. Curb appeal matters, especially for resale value.
What’s your current roof’s condition? If your existing roof is failing and you need immediate replacement, budget may dictate your choice. However, if you’re planning ahead, you might save specifically for metal.
The Maintenance and Repair Factor
Here’s something often overlooked: both roofing types benefit enormously from regular maintenance, regardless of which you choose. We’ve seen $30,000 metal roofs fail prematurely due to neglect, and $12,000 shingle roofs last beyond expectations with proper care.
Annual inspections catch small issues before they become expensive problems. Cleaning gutters, checking flashings, ensuring proper ventilation, and addressing minor repairs promptly extends any roof’s lifespan significantly. For new roof installation in South Florida, committing to maintenance should be part of your decision-making.
If your current roof is still serviceable but showing age, investing in repairs and maintenance might buy you several more years while you save for your ideal replacement. We’d rather help you extend your existing roof’s life than pressure you into premature replacement.
What We Actually Recommend
After thousands of installations across Pompano Beach, here’s our honest guidance: if you can afford metal roofing and plan to stay in your home long-term, it’s usually the better investment for South Florida. The combination of longevity, hurricane resistance, and energy savings typically justifies the higher initial cost over the roof’s lifetime.
However, quality asphalt shingles from a reputable residential roofing contractor in Pompano Beach remain a smart choice for many homeowners. They perform adequately in our climate when properly installed and maintained, and they make financial sense for those with budget constraints or shorter home ownership timelines.
What matters most isn’t which material we install—it’s that we help you choose the right option for your specific situation and then install it correctly. Poor installation ruins any roofing material’s potential, while excellent installation maximizes it.
Your Next Steps
If you’re considering either option for your Pompano Beach home, schedule a honest assessment—not a sales pitch. A trustworthy contractor will inspect your current roof, discuss your priorities and budget, explain your realistic options, and provide detailed estimates without pressure.
Ask about their experience with both materials specifically in South Florida. Request references from installations they completed at least five years ago so you can see how the roofs have held up. Verify they’re properly licensed, insured, and familiar with local building codes and permitting requirements.
We’ve been installing and maintaining both metal and asphalt roofs in South Florida for over 70 years because we’re a family business focused on long-term relationships, not quick sales. We’re still here servicing roofs we installed decades ago, and we’ll be here for yours too.
Whether you choose metal or shingles, you deserve honest guidance based on your needs, not our profit margin. Contact us for a straightforward assessment of your roof and a detailed discussion of which option truly makes sense for your home, your budget, and your plans. We’ll help you make the right decision—even if that means recommending repairs instead of replacement or suggesting you save longer for the material that better fits your situation.