Metal vs shingle roof cost: 3-tab, architectural and metal compared

Updated October 28, 2026 · QuickRoofBids

On the same 2,000 sq ft one-story roof in East Tennessee, 3-tab shingles price at $8,154 – $12,230, architectural shingles at $10,483 – $15,725 and metal at $20,608 – $30,912 using current local contractor rates. Architectural shingles are the default choice for most homes; metal costs roughly twice as much and lasts roughly twice as long.

The same roof, priced three ways

Service-life figures are typical ranges, not guarantees. Ventilation, installation quality, tree cover and storm exposure all move them, and manufacturer warranties differ by product line.

3-tab shingles: the lowest upfront cost

3-tab shingles are the budget option, priced at $455 per square here. Each shingle is a single flat layer cut into three equal tabs, which gives the roof a uniform, slightly flat look. They are the cheapest per square and quick to install, which makes them a reasonable pick for a rental, a shed or outbuilding, or a house you plan to sell soon where the buyer mainly needs to see a sound, recent roof. The trade-offs are a shorter typical service life and lower wind resistance than laminated shingles, which matters in a region that sees regular summer thunderstorms. Fewer homeowners choose 3-tab every year, and some manufacturers have narrowed their 3-tab product lines, so ask your contractor what is actually in stock locally and whether the color you want is still made before you commit to it.

Architectural shingles: the default for most homes

Architectural shingles, also called dimensional or laminated shingles, bond two or more asphalt layers into one heavier shingle. The layering creates a textured, shadowed look that many people prefer, and the extra mass gives better wind resistance and a longer typical life than 3-tab. At current East Tennessee rates they cost about 29% more per square than 3-tab, which on a typical roof works out to a few thousand dollars: on the 2,000 sq ft example above, the difference is about $2,912 at the middle of each range. For most owner-occupied homes that premium is easy to justify: you get noticeably more years out of the roof for a modest increase in a cost you only pay every couple of decades. That is why architectural shingles are what most contractors recommend by default for a house you live in and plan to keep.

Metal roofing: the long-term option

Metal costs about twice as much per square as architectural shingles here, but a properly installed metal roof typically outlasts two shingle roofs. It sheds snow and heavy rain well, resists wind, and reflects more summer heat. The upfront cost is the main obstacle, along with the need for a crew experienced with metal panels and trim. Metal also changes the job itself: panels are commonly ordered cut to length for each roof plane, the trim around chimneys, valleys and walls is bent to fit, and the work usually goes to a crew that specializes in metal, all of which is part of why the price per square is so much higher. On the 2,000 sq ft example the difference over architectural shingles is about $12,656 at the middle of each range. If you expect to stay in the house for 25 years or more, compare the metal price against the cost of replacing an architectural shingle roof twice over that period.

Getting a price in the material you want

The instant estimate measures your roof and shows a price range in any of these three materials, from a licensed local contractor’s own rates, so you can compare them on your actual roof rather than an average. Start from the homepage, or read the full cost guide.