Asphalt shingles or metal roofing? It's the most common roofing question for Edmonton homeowners replacing their roof. Both materials work in Edmonton's climate — but they have very different cost profiles, lifespans, and performance characteristics. This guide gives you an honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide what's right for your home.
Asphalt Shingles in Edmonton: The Basics
Asphalt shingles cover over 80% of Edmonton's residential roofs. They're installed by more contractors, come in more styles and colours, and cost significantly less per square foot than metal. The technology has improved substantially — modern architectural and impact-resistant shingles perform much better in Edmonton's climate than the 3-tab shingles of 30 years ago.
For Edmonton specifically, the critical specification is impact resistance. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are tested to withstand 2-inch steel ball impacts at 90 mph — roughly equivalent to golf-ball-sized hail. These products are dramatically more durable in Edmonton's hail season than standard shingles. Premium brands offer these with transferable warranties and insurance discounts that standard shingles don't provide.
Drawbacks in Edmonton's climate: snow and ice can build up on asphalt roofs, especially at eaves where ice dams form. Proper ventilation and ice-and-water shield membrane installation (required by Alberta Building Code) mitigates this, but it doesn't eliminate it entirely. Asphalt shingles also need more maintenance than metal — occasional inspection and minor repair are part of ownership.
Metal Roofing in Edmonton: The Basics
Metal roofing has been common on agricultural and commercial buildings in Alberta for decades, and it's growing rapidly in the residential market. Edmonton's climate is actually well-suited to metal roofing — snow slides off easily, hail doesn't penetrate it, and extreme temperature swings don't degrade it the way they degrade asphalt.
The most common residential metal roofing options in Edmonton:
- Steel standing seam: The premium option. Long vertical panels with hidden fasteners. Clean look, very long lifespan (50+ years), excellent snow shedding. Highest cost.
- Steel or aluminum shingles: Metal panels shaped to look like traditional shingles. Good compromise between traditional appearance and metal performance. Better hail resistance than asphalt.
- Exposed fastener metal panels: More affordable metal option. Screws are visible on the surface. Still performs well but screws require periodic inspection for sealant wear.
One Edmonton-specific consideration: metal roofs shed snow rapidly, which can create dangerous conditions on stairs, decks, or pathways below the eaves. Snow guards or snow retention systems should be installed on metal roofs over walkways and doorways.
Cost Comparison in Edmonton
| Material | Edmonton Cost per Square (100 sq ft) | Typical Full Roof (2,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard architectural asphalt | $300 – $500 installed | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| Class 4 IR asphalt (premium) | $450 – $700 installed | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Metal shingles (exposed fastener) | $700 – $1,000 installed | $18,000 – $28,000 |
| Standing seam steel | $1,200 – $2,000 installed | $28,000 – $50,000 |
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The honest answer depends on your budget and time horizon:
- If you're planning to stay in your home for 20+ years: Metal roofing becomes very competitive when you factor in that you'll likely replace asphalt once or twice in that time. The total lifecycle cost can favour metal despite the higher upfront price.
- If you're budget-constrained or planning to sell within 10 years: Premium Class 4 asphalt shingles give you excellent performance, a meaningful insurance discount, and a cost that's typically half or less of metal. You likely won't need to replace it before you sell.
- If hail is your primary concern: Both Class 4 IR asphalt and metal roofing dramatically outperform standard asphalt against hail. Either is a significant upgrade from standard shingles.
- If you have a flat or low-slope section: Neither standard asphalt nor most metal profiles are appropriate. Modified bitumen or other membrane systems are required for slopes below 3:12.