Metal vs. Rubber Roof: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Choosing the right roofing material for your home can mean less roof maintenance, a longer roof lifespan, less of a risk of damage from extreme weather, and greater curb appeal and added home value. When it comes to metal versus rubber roofs, the choice isn’t always clear. Metal roofs last longer and look better, but rubber roofs are easier and more affordable to repair, and they provide more room to customize your home’s appearance. In this guide, we’ll discuss the key differences between these two roof materials to help you decide which is best.

Metal Roof vs. Rubber Roof: Key Differences

Metal roofs boast a longer lifespan of up to 70 years, and they stand up much better to impact from blown debris or fallen tree limbs. Since these materials cost the same, the greater durability from a metal roof means you’ll get more value over time. Rubber roofs make it easier to customize your curb appeal, though, and repairs, when you do need them, are more affordable.

What Is a Metal Roof?

In most cases, A metal roof is made out of stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, or copper. There are a few different styles available, including corrugated metal roofs, standing seam metal roofs, sheet metal, and metal shingles.

Best for:

• Homes in areas that see heavy snowfall

• Homeowners prioritizing curb appeal and home value

• Areas that see hail or blown debris during extreme weather

Pros of a Metal Roof

Metal roofs are the second most common roofing material after asphalt shingles, making them more likely to conform to your neighborhood. They also look nicer and last longer, with an average lifespan of 50 to 70 years, providing more value overall.

Metal roofs are slick and will shed snow more easily than rubber roof shingles, so they’re ideal in areas that see heavy snowfall, especially if you have a steep roof pitch designed to aid in shedding snow. They also require minimal maintenance, and while they can dent from impact, hail and even tree debris are unlikely to pierce the material, so they’re less likely to leak after severe weather.

Finally, metal roofs are significantly more popular than rubber roofs, so you won’t struggle to find a metal roof installer near you.

Cons of a Metal Roof

Metal roofs are more expensive to repair if you choose a standing seam metal roof or screw down metal roof, which is the most popular option, as the roofer you hire will need to replace a large sheet of metal as opposed to a few shingles.

You can choose from a few different styles of metal roofs and several types of metal and colors, but it will always look like a metal roof. Rubber shingles can look like a variety of other materials, like slate and wood shakes, so you have fewer customization options overall.

Many metal roof types have exposed fasteners that can leak over time, so routine roof inspections and occasional fastener replacement can increase maintenance costs. This is one reason they’re not suitable for flat roofs, as pooling water can leak through the penetrations.

One final thing to note is that metal roofs can create a lot of noise inside your home when it rains, which is an issue you won’t get with a rubber roof.

What Is a Rubber Roof?

The term rubber roof most often refers to single-ply roofing membranes on flat roofs, but rubber shingles are a relatively new roofing option suitable for standard sloped roofs. The shingles are made from rubber and synthetic materials, and they can look like a variety of other roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, slate, and natural stone.

Best for: 

• Homeowners who want the look of a higher-end material, like slate

• Ease and affordability of repair

• Avoiding leaks in areas that don’t see extreme weather

• Flat roofs

Pros of a Rubber Roof

The biggest upsides to going with a rubber roof over a metal roof are the customization options. Rubber roof shingles can look like other materials and are available in a wider range of colors and textures.

Since rubber roofs often contain individual shingles, repairing a rubber roof is more affordable than a metal roof. Even rubber roof options for flat roofs are more affordable to repair.

The lack of exposed fasteners on a rubber roof makes them slightly less likely to leak over time. Single-ply rubber roofs are some of the best options for flat roofs for this reason, as there’s minimal risk of leaking unless there’s a puncture or other physical damage.

Finally, rubber will dampen the sound of rain, so, unlike with a metal roof, you’re unlikely to get potentially distracting noise inside your home.

Cons of a Rubber Roof

While rubber roofs are less likely to leak if they aren’t damaged, they’re also more likely to sustain damage from impact, so they aren’t ideal in areas that see hail or extreme weather that could blow tree debris onto your home.

Rubber roofs have a relatively long lifespan of 30 to 50 years with proper maintenance, but this pales in comparison to metal roofs, which can last 70 years or more. Since metal roofs and rubber roofs cost about the same to install, you won’t get as much long-term value from a rubber roof.

Rubber roofs are less popular, so you may have issues finding a roofer who can install one for you. Additionally, while they offer more room for customization, they aren’t as visually appealing as metal roofs, so they add less curb appeal and have less of a positive effect on home value.

Metal Roof vs. Rubber Roof

Neither a metal nor a rubber roof is better in all situations, so there are a few key things you should think about to determine which is right for your home.

Appearance: Metal Roof

Despite rubber having more customization options, metal roofs have a nicer appearance and will add more to your curb appeal. They’re also far more popular, so they’ll conform better to your neighborhood.

Cost: Tie

In terms of pricing, both roof materials are about equal. A metal roof costs $11,700, on average, while a rubber roof costs an average of $12,000.

Lifespan: Metal Roof

Metal roofs and rubber roofs may have similar installation costs, but metal roofs can last for up to 70 years, while rubber roofs will only last for 50 years. Similar costs mean you’ll get more long-term value from a metal roof.

Adaptability to Different Roof Styles: Rubber Roof

Metal and rubber shingles are only suitable for sloped roofs. However, rubber roof options, like TPO and EPDM, are also available for flat roofs.

Durability: Metal Roof

Metal roofs can dent from impact, but a puncture that leads to a roof leak is unlikely. Rubber is much more pliable and can easily get damaged from hail or blown debris.

Noise Dampening: Rubber Roof

Rubber will dampen the sound of rain, so you won’t get interior noise during storms. In contrast, metal can be quite noisy.

Maintenance: Rubber Roof

Neither roof material will need excessive maintenance, but when it is time for repairs, they’ll be more affordable for a rubber roof.

Sustainability: Tie

Both rubber and metal are recyclable and can be made from recycled materials, so they’re about equal in terms of sourcing sustainability. Metal roofs can help keep your home cool in hotter temperatures, as they reflect sunlight better than rubber, but rubber is more insulative and can help boost home efficiency in colder climates.

Availability: Metal Roof

Metal roofing is far more popular than rubber shingles, so you’ll have no issues finding a roofing contractor to install one. Rubber roofs aren’t nearly as prevalent, so you may not have any roofers in your area that have experience with them.