Thinking about a new roof in Billings and not sure whether metal or asphalt makes more sense? You live with cold, snowy winters, quick chinook melts, and summer storms that can throw hail and strong winds at your home. The right choice should handle all of that and fit your budget and timeline. In this guide, you’ll learn how each roof type performs in Billings weather, what it costs over time, and how to make a confident decision. Let’s dive in.
Billings weather and your roof
Billings sees regular winter snow and freeze–thaw cycles, with typical snowfall in the range many climate summaries place around 50 to 60 inches per year and annual precipitation near 12 to 13 inches. Chinook winds can melt snow quickly, which means roofs experience rapid shifts from cold to warm and back again. In summer, severe thunderstorms bring hail, strong winds, and occasional tornadoes that have damaged roofs in past events. These conditions should guide your roofing choice and installation plan. Source: Billings climate summary, NWS Billings event summaries
Metal vs. asphalt: performance in Billings
Snow and ice dams
Metal sheds snow well, which helps reduce long-term snow loads. Many homes add snow guards to control sliding and protect gutters and pathways. With proper underlayment and flashing, metal systems limit leak risks at eaves and valleys.
Asphalt shingles tend to hold snow in place, which can reduce sudden slide hazards. Without good ventilation and eave protection, long contact with snow and ice can raise ice-dam risk. Using an ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys is a standard best practice. See NRCA material guidance
Wind and uplift
Properly engineered standing-seam metal with the right clips and fasteners offers strong wind uplift resistance. Installation quality and certified design ratings matter in thunderstorm-prone areas. Many asphalt shingles also meet established wind standards, with laminated architectural shingles typically outperforming three-tab products. Metal roof basics, NRCA on wind-rated shingles
Hail impact
Many metal roofs carry high impact ratings and resist penetration, though large hail can dent panels cosmetically without causing leaks when gauge and coatings are appropriate. Standard asphalt shingles can lose granules, bruise, or crack under hail. If you choose asphalt, consider impact-resistant shingles designed for hail-prone regions. IBHS Roof 101 on impact ratings
Freeze–thaw, UV, and heat
Metal tolerates wide temperature swings. Factory-coated panels and cool-roof options can help manage heat gain and reduce wear. Proper design should also account for thermal expansion. Energy.gov on cool roofs
Asphalt is sensitive to temperature and UV. Over time, repeated cold and heat can lead to granule loss and aging. Higher-quality architectural or polymer-modified shingles can extend performance. Asphalt performance overview
Water intrusion and flashing
A well-installed metal roof over a solid deck with correct flashing and penetration details is highly water resistant. Mistakes at fasteners or flashing points can cause leaks. Asphalt roofs rely on correct underlayment, valley metal, and sealed eaves to stay watertight, with ice-and-water shield as a key layer in Billings. Metal installation details, NRCA installation basics
Fire performance
Metal roofing is non-combustible and commonly part of Class A assemblies. Many fiberglass-mat asphalt shingles also achieve Class A ratings, but you should confirm the product and assembly details. Metal roof fire information, NRCA fire ratings
Lifespan, cost, and maintenance
Expected service life
Many modern metal roofs are designed to last for decades, with common ranges of about 40 to 70 years depending on metal type, gauge, and coatings. Asphalt ranges vary by product: three-tab shingles often last about 15 to 25 years, while architectural shingles can reach about 25 to 40 years. Billings hail, wind, and attic ventilation can push results up or down. Metal longevity, Asphalt lifespan ranges
Upfront cost vs. life-cycle value
Metal roofs, especially standing seam, usually cost more upfront than asphalt on the same home. Over time, metal’s longer service life and lower replacement frequency can make the total cost competitive, especially if you experience frequent hail or can qualify for insurance savings with impact-rated products. Compare 30 to 50 years of costs, not just the bid price. Sample cost overview, Insurance note on impact-resistant roofs
Maintenance and repairs
Metal roofs usually require less routine maintenance, though you should inspect fasteners, seams, and coatings after major storms. Dents from hail are often cosmetic but still check for coating damage. Asphalt roofs benefit from regular checks for missing or curled shingles, granule loss, and flashing wear. Repairs tend to be simpler but may happen more often over the years. Metal maintenance basics, NRCA repair guidance
Insurance and resale
Some insurers offer premium discounts for impact-rated roofs, whether metal or asphalt. In resale, buyers accept both materials, with metal often marketed as a long-life upgrade and asphalt as a familiar, cost-effective option. Local preferences and neighborhood norms in Billings play a role. IBHS on impact ratings
Billings-specific installation and code
Permits and inspections
Most cities require a permit for full roof replacement. Before you schedule work, check current requirements with the City of Billings Building and Permit office on the city website to understand fees and inspections. City of Billings site
Installation details that matter
- Use self-adhered ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys.
- Ventilate the attic correctly and add insulation to reduce ice dams and extend roof life.
- Follow manufacturer fastener, clip, and nailing schedules that meet wind ratings.
- Plan for snow management on metal roofs with snow guards and gutter reinforcement.
These steps make a big difference in performance and longevity. Metal roof best practices, NRCA ventilation and underlayment basics
Contractor selection
Skill and experience matter. Standing-seam metal requires training in panel seaming, thermal movement, and flashing details. Asphalt is widely available, but quality varies. Ask for product ratings, written specs, and references, and confirm the crew follows recognized standards. NRCA homeowner guidance
Which roof is right for you?
Choose metal if you want long service life, strong wind and hail performance, and non-combustible roofing. You may also see energy or insurance advantages with the right product selection. IBHS on impact ratings, Energy-efficient roof options
Choose asphalt if you want a lower upfront cost, a traditional look, quick installation, and broad contractor availability. If hail is a concern, ask about impact-rated shingles and confirm wind-rated installation details. Cost perspective, NRCA shingle guidance
Quick spec checklist
- If choosing metal: request written specs for panel gauge and coating, clip and fastener schedule, certified ratings, a finish and weather-tightness warranty, and a snow-guard plan. Metal specs to request
- If choosing asphalt: request impact-resistant shingles if hail is common, ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, proper ventilation and attic insulation, and wind-rated fastening per standards. IBHS impact guidance
Final thoughts
Billings weather asks a lot from your roof. The right answer for your home comes down to how long you plan to stay, your budget, and how you weigh hail and wind risk against upfront cost. With solid installation, either metal or asphalt can perform well here.
If you want local help weighing your options, pricing, and resale impact for your specific neighborhood, reach out to the Brosovich Real Estate Team. We know Billings homes and can connect you with trusted local pros so you feel confident from first quote to final inspection.
FAQs
What roof material holds up best to Billings hail?
- In general, properly specified metal and impact-rated asphalt shingles offer stronger hail performance than standard shingles, with metal often resisting penetration and impact-rated shingles designed to reduce damage. Source: IBHS Roof 101
Will a metal roof prevent ice dams in Billings winters?
- A metal surface sheds snow better, but stopping ice dams depends on proper attic insulation, ventilation, and eave protection, not the material alone. Metal roof assembly basics
How long do metal and asphalt roofs last in Billings?
- Many metal roofs can last about 40 to 70 years, while asphalt typically ranges from about 15 to 25 years for three-tab and 25 to 40 years for architectural shingles, depending on product and installation. Longevity references
Are cool-roof finishes worth it for Billings homes?
- Cool-roof coatings can reduce heat gain and help manage temperature swings, which supports durability and comfort, especially on sunny days. Energy.gov on cool roofs
Is the higher upfront cost of metal worth it?
- If you plan to stay long term, want fewer replacements, and face frequent hail or strong winds, metal often delivers value over time, especially if you can get insurance savings for impact-rated products. Cost and insurance context
