Knowledge Base · Metal Roofing Basics
Are Aluminum Shingles Good? Pros and Cons for New England Homes
Aluminum shingles are a strong choice for most New England homes. They don't rust in salt air, they are light enough for older framing, they shed snow and rain well, and Interlock® panels carry long written material and coating warranties. The trade-offs are a higher upfront cost than asphalt, the need for a trained installer, and a minimum roof pitch of 3/12.
Technically reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing · Updated 2026-10-07
At a glance
- Pros: no rust, low weight, wind resistance, low maintenance and long written warranties.
- Cons: higher initial cost than asphalt and a need for an experienced, trained crew.
- Interlock® shingles need at least a 3/12 pitch; flatter sections need a different system.
- No roof prevents ice dams; that depends on insulation and ventilation.
- Best fit: owners planning to stay, coastal homes and older houses with light framing.
Are aluminum shingles a good roof for New England?
Yes, for most houses in the region aluminum shingles are a very good roof. They address the things that wear roofs out here: moisture, freeze–thaw cycling, wind-driven storms and, near the ocean, salt. Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal, so it does not rust. It does not absorb water, so it doesn't crack or curl as water freezes inside it. Interlocking panels have no loose edges for wind to lift, and the fasteners are hidden from the weather. The material is also light, which matters on a 19th-century farmhouse or a triple-decker where the rafters were never sized for heavy roofing. The question for most owners is not whether aluminum performs, but whether its higher upfront cost fits how long they plan to keep the house.
What are the main advantages of aluminum shingles?
The main advantages are corrosion resistance, light weight, weather resistance and very little upkeep. Interlock® panels weigh roughly 0.4 to 0.7 lb per square foot, a fraction of natural slate or concrete tile. For wind, Interlock® aluminum shingles are rated up to 120 mph when installed to manufacturer specification. For hail, the shingle profiles hold a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating under a listing issued through Intertek for Delta Building Products. For fire, look for the phrase Class A Fire Rated Available, as a complete assembly; the rating applies to the full tested assembly, not to the panel by itself. The warranties back this up: the Guardian Lifetime Limited Material Warranty for the original purchaser while they own the home, and a 30 Year Alunar® coating warranty on the finish.
What are the drawbacks of aluminum shingles?
The main drawback is cost. An aluminum shingle roof costs more to install than an asphalt roof, so the value comes from the years you keep it rather than from the day it goes on. If you expect to sell within a few years, that math may not work for you. Installation is the second consideration. Interlocking panels and their flashing are not forgiving of shortcuts, so the crew's training matters a great deal. Third, the system needs a pitch of at least 3/12; a very low porch or addition may need another material. Some people also ask about noise. Over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic, rain on an aluminum roof is not the drumming you hear on an open barn roof, but it is fair to ask to see a finished home.
Do aluminum shingles help with snow and ice dams?
Aluminum shingles shed snow and meltwater well, but they do not prevent ice dams, and ice damming is excluded from the material warranty. Ice dams are a heat problem. Warm air leaking into the attic melts snow on the upper roof, the water runs down to the cold eaves and refreezes into a ridge that backs up more water. The fix lives under the roof: air sealing, insulation and balanced intake and exhaust ventilation. A metal surface can let snow slide in larger sheets than asphalt does, so think about where it will land over doors, walkways and decks, and whether snow guards make sense. We look at your attic and eaves with you during the consultation so the new roof and the house work together through a Massachusetts or Maine winter.
Who are aluminum shingles a good fit for?
Aluminum shingles fit owners who plan to stay put and want to stop thinking about the roof. They also suit three common New England situations especially well. Coastal homes are the first. On Cape Cod, the Islands, the North Shore and the Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine shorelines, salt air corrodes steel fasteners and flashings, while aluminum is unaffected by rust. Older houses are the second. Colonials, Capes, Victorians and farmhouses often have rafters that were sized for wood shingles, and a light roof avoids adding load ahead of a heavy snow year. Homes that want a traditional look are the third. Slate and Cedar Shingle profiles give the appearance of materials a neighborhood expects. If you live in a historic district, check with your local historic district commission first.
Are aluminum shingles worth the cost?
For owners who intend to keep their home for many years, aluminum shingles are usually worth the cost because one roof replaces a series of shorter-lived ones. The main price drivers are the size and pitch of the roof, the number of chimneys, skylights, dormers and valleys, whether old layers come off, the condition of the deck, and the profile and color you choose. Prices on our cost page are a rough guide only — every roof is priced individually, and structural or other site conditions can move the number. An in-home roof consultation is the only way to get accurate pricing for your home. For the general factors, see our metal roof cost guide. On insurance, ask your own insurer whether a new roof changes your premium; we can't speak for any carrier.
Common questions
Do aluminum shingles rust near the ocean?
No. Aluminum contains no iron, so it cannot form rust. It develops a thin protective oxide film instead. That is why aluminum is often chosen for homes along the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine coastlines where salt spray is constant.
Are aluminum shingles noisy in the rain?
Installed over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic, an aluminum shingle roof is generally not much louder than other roofs. The loud metal roofs people remember are usually panels over open framing on barns and sheds.
Will an aluminum roof lower my home insurance?
We can't promise that. Insurers set their own rules, and they vary by company and state. Ask your own agent or carrier how a new roof, its fire assembly and its impact rating may affect your policy.
Can aluminum shingles go on a low-slope roof?
Interlock® aluminum shingles need a pitch of at least 3/12. Sections flatter than that, such as some porch roofs and rear additions, need a different roofing system designed for low slopes.
Do aluminum shingles dent?
A heavy impact can mark any metal. The Interlock® shingle profiles carry a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating through the Intertek listing for Delta Building Products, the highest class in that test. A damaged panel can usually be replaced individually by a trained crew.
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