On average, a metal roof costs $13,200 while a typical shingle roof costs $8,500. In our metal roof vs. shingles cost guide below, we'll take a look at two popular types of roofs to compare not only upfront costs but also long-term maintenance and repair costs and potential resale value.

Five of the most common materials used in metal roofing are Galvalume®, aluminum, zinc, copper, and stainless steel.

Steel roofing is very lightweight with the heaviest product weighing about 1.5 pounds per square foot when installed. But aluminum is usually the lightest metal used for roofing. Its strength-to-weight ratio is among the highest of the “common” metals–that's why airplane designers use aluminum for air frames.