Knowledge Base · Metal Roofing Basics
Disadvantages of Aluminum Roofing: An Honest Look for New England
The main disadvantages of aluminum roofing are a higher upfront cost than asphalt, the need for trained installers, the chance of denting from a heavy impact, snow that slides off in sheets, and fewer contractors able to repair it. None of these is a reason to rule it out, but each deserves a plan before you sign, especially on a New England house that sees real winters.
Technically reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing · Updated 2026-10-07
At a glance
- Upfront cost is higher than asphalt; the payoff comes over a longer service life.
- Installation needs crews trained on the specific system.
- Aluminum can dent from a heavy impact such as a large falling limb.
- Snow slides off metal, so entries and walkways need planning.
- Not every roofer can repair an interlocking aluminum roof.
Does aluminum roofing cost more than asphalt?
Aluminum roofing costs more upfront than asphalt shingles, and that is the drawback most homeowners notice first. The metal, the factory finish and the skilled labor all cost more than a standard shingle job. The price also moves with the house. Roof size, pitch, the number of valleys, dormers and chimneys, whether tear-off is needed and the condition of the deck all affect the number. A steep Victorian with turrets and several roof planes costs more per square foot than a simple Cape. 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 more detail on what drives the number, see our metal roof cost guide.
Why does aluminum roofing need trained installers?
Aluminum roofing needs trained installers because the details are different from shingles, and mistakes are harder to hide. Panels have to be laid out, locked and flashed in the correct sequence, valleys and walls need system-specific trim, and fasteners must go where the design intends so the metal can move with temperature. A crew used to nailing asphalt can make errors that show up years later, such as panels that do not seat fully or flashing that traps water. That is why the Interlock® system is installed by certified crews rather than any roofer who buys material. The practical cost for homeowners is choice. There are fewer qualified installers than for asphalt, and good ones are often booked ahead in spring and summer. In Massachusetts, confirm Home Improvement Contractor registration; Connecticut and Rhode Island have their own registration systems too.
Can an aluminum roof dent?
An aluminum roof can dent if something heavy hits it hard enough. Aluminum is a softer metal than steel, and a large limb, a chunk of ice falling from a higher roof or a dropped tool can leave a mark. How visible a dent is depends heavily on the panel. A flat, smooth panel shows every ding under low sunlight. Deeply textured shingle-style profiles such as Slate, Shake and Cedar Shingle hide minor marks far better, because the surface already has shadow and relief. A dent is usually cosmetic. The finish typically stays intact and the panel still sheds water. In New England, the risk comes mostly from trees, so trimming overhanging limbs before winter storms and nor'easters is worth doing on any roof. If a panel is badly damaged, Interlock panels can be replaced individually.
Is sliding snow a problem with a metal roof?
Sliding snow can be a problem with a metal roof if no one plans for it. Snow sticks to asphalt and tends to melt in place, but on a smooth metal surface it often lets go all at once when the sun hits the roof or temperatures rise. After a heavy nor'easter, that can mean a large mass of wet snow dropping off the eave. If it lands on a front step, a walkway, a deck, a car or shrubs, it can do damage or hurt someone. The fix is planning, not avoiding metal. Look at where each roof plane drains: over doors, over driveways, over lower roofs. Snow retention over entries, rerouted paths and careful placement of gutters are common answers. Ask your installer to walk the house with you and point out every drop zone.
Are aluminum roofs harder to repair?
Aluminum roofs can be harder to get repaired because not every roofer knows how to work on an interlocking metal system. Asphalt repairs are familiar to almost every contractor; replacing an interlocking panel or rebuilding a flashing detail on a metal roof is not. An untrained repair can make things worse. Caulking over a seam, screwing through a panel or walking carelessly on the roof can damage the finish or open new leak paths. The good news is that well-installed aluminum roofs need few repairs. When something does happen, the best call is to the installing company or another contractor trained on that system. In our case, existing New England customers can reach our service team, and a damaged Interlock panel can usually be replaced without disturbing the whole roof.
What are the other drawbacks worth knowing?
A few smaller drawbacks are worth knowing: some noise, oil canning on flat panels, a 3/12 minimum slope and approval steps on certain homes. Rain on metal can sound louder than on asphalt, though a roof installed over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic is usually much quieter than people expect. Flat standing seam panels can show slight waviness, called oil canning, which is cosmetic. The Interlock system also needs a pitch of at least 3/12, so very flat porch or addition roofs need another material. Finally, homes in local historic districts or condominiums may need approval before changing roofing. Check with your local historic district commission, and in Massachusetts check with your condo trustees under Chapter 183A, before committing. These are planning steps rather than reasons to avoid aluminum.
Common questions
Is an aluminum roof noisy in the rain?
Installed over solid decking and underlayment with an insulated attic, an aluminum roof is usually not much louder than asphalt inside the house. Metal installed over open framing, as on a barn, is where the drumming sound comes from. Rooms with vaulted ceilings may hear rain a little more.
Will hail dent an aluminum roof?
Large hail can mark any metal roof, and aluminum is softer than steel. Textured profiles hide small marks better than flat panels. Hail is less frequent in most of New England than in the Plains, but storms do happen. Ask your own insurer how a metal roof is treated in your policy.
Does a metal roof cause ice dams?
No roofing material causes or prevents ice dams on its own. Ice dams come from heat escaping into the attic and from poor ventilation, which melts snow that refreezes at the cold eave. Ice damming is excluded from the material warranty, so we look at insulation and ventilation with you.
Is aluminum roofing worth it despite the drawbacks?
For many New England homeowners it is, especially those staying in their homes long term or living near the coast, where aluminum's resistance to rust helps. The decision depends on your plans, budget and house. An in-home consultation lays out the costs and the trade-offs specific to your roof.
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