When Should You Switch to a Metal Roof? 6 Signs for North Idaho Homes

Is a Metal Roof Worth It in North Idaho?

Usually, when your current roof needs replacing anyway and you'll stay 20 years or more. Standing seam lasts 40 to 70 years here, compared with 20 to 25 for architectural shingles, so it can be the last roof the house needs.

40 to 70 yrs

Standing seam metal lifespan in North Idaho

20 to 25 yrs

Architectural shingle lifespan in North Idaho

1/4:12

Lowest slope for standing seam under the residential code

Is Your Shingle Roof Near the End of Its Life?

That's the best time to switch. You're already paying for the tear-off, so the real decision is the price difference between the two materials.

In North Idaho, architectural shingles realistically last 20 to 25 years. If your shingle roof is close to 20 years old, you're choosing between one more shingle roof and what could be the last roof your house needs. If your shingles still have 10 good years left, there's no reason to tear them off early just to get metal.

Do Snow and Ice Cause Problems Every Winter?

Metal helps with snow, but it won't fix ice dams by itself. Snow slides off a smooth metal roof, while shingles hold it until it melts, so snow sits on metal for less time and meltwater has less chance to back up at the eaves.

Ice dams form when heat escapes from the house into the attic, warms the roof, and melts snow that refreezes at the cold eaves. That's an insulation and ventilation problem, and it needs fixing whether you choose metal or shingles. Our ice dam guide explains how.

Is Part of Your Roof Too Flat for Shingles?

Then standing seam may be the answer. Idaho's residential code, based on the 2018 International Residential Code, allows asphalt shingles only on slopes of 2:12 or steeper, and standing seam metal on slopes as low as 1/4:12.

A 2:12 slope means 2 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run. Shingle roofs between 2:12 and 4:12 also need two layers of underlayment, as Hayden's roof handout shows. That makes standing seam a strong fit for low porch roofs, additions, and shed dormers. Some homes use standing seam on just those sections and shingles everywhere else.

Are You Planning to Add Solar Panels?

Then replace the roof first, or at the same time. The U.S. Department of Energy says solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, and doing both together avoids removing and reinstalling the panels later.

A standing seam roof can outlast the panels. Manufacturers also make clamps that attach solar mounts to the raised seams without drilling through the roof panels.

Are You Replacing an Old Wood Shake Roof?

Then aim for a Class A fire-rated roof. NFPA's Firewise program calls an untreated wood shake or shingle roof the greatest threat to a home in a wildfire, because wind-blown embers can land on it and ignite.

Metal is one way to get to Class A. Some metal roofs earn their Class A rating as a tested assembly, with specific materials installed underneath, and asphalt fiberglass shingles are commonly Class A too. Ask your roofer to confirm the Class A rating of the complete roof system you choose.

Metal roofs can have gaps at the ridge and edges where birds nest and debris collects; NFPA recommends closing them, which is called bird stopping. Whatever material you choose, NFPA recommends clearing debris from the roof and gutters at least twice a year, or more often if needed.

Does Wind Keep Tearing Shingles Off Your Roof?

Then metal is worth a look. Standing seam panels run continuously from ridge to eave with hidden fasteners, so there are no shingle tabs for the wind to lift.

Homes on the Rathdrum Prairie, on exposed ridgelines, and along the lakeshore take the most wind. If wind just damaged your roof, start with our guide to what to do first.

When Should You Stay With Shingles?

When you plan to sell within 10 years, your roof still has years left, the upfront cost doesn't fit your budget, or cosmetic hail dents would bother you.

• Selling within 10 years: architectural shingles offer better near-term value
• Your current roof still has years of life left
• Budget: standing seam costs significantly more upfront than architectural shingles
• Dents: large hail can dent metal panels without affecting how they shed water

If you like metal but not the price, exposed fastener metal costs about the same as architectural shingles. The trade-off is upkeep: the screw washers need periodic inspection so they don't leak.

For a side-by-side comparison, see asphalt vs. metal roofing in North Idaho. For prices, see metal roof cost in North Idaho, and for the full list of advantages and drawbacks, metal roofing pros and cons. We install both; see our roof replacement service.