Metal roofing and asphalt shingles are both solid choices for western North Dakota homes, but they perform differently against our wind, hail, and heavy snow load. Metal costs more upfront but sheds snow and resists hail denting better; asphalt shingles cost less initially and are easier to repair in sections after storm damage. The right pick depends on your budget, how long you plan to own the home, and how much maintenance you want to deal with.
What's the Real Difference Between Metal and Asphalt Out Here?
Both materials get installed across our service area from Williston to Dickinson to Minot, but they age differently under Bakken-region weather. Asphalt shingles are the more common choice because they're budget-friendly and quick to install, and most homeowners are already familiar with how they look and how insurance handles them after a storm. Metal roofing costs more per square but holds up longer against high wind uplift and heavy snow accumulation, which matters on the exposed, treeless lots common throughout western North Dakota.
Neither material is automatically the "better" choice — it comes down to what you're optimizing for. We install and repair both, and walk homeowners through the tradeoffs during a roof inspection before recommending one over the other.
How Do They Compare Feature by Feature?
| Factor | Asphalt Shingles | Metal Roofing |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Typical lifespan | Shorter than metal | Longer than asphalt |
| Hail resistance | Can dent, bruise, or lose granules | Can dent but rarely fails |
| Snow shedding | Snow tends to sit and pack | Sheds snow load faster |
| Wind performance | Vulnerable to lifting at high wind speeds if not properly fastened | Strong wind uplift resistance when installed correctly |
| Repair approach | Easy to patch a section | Panel or seam repair, sometimes trickier to match |
| Noise in rain/hail | Quieter | Can be louder without proper decking/underlayment |
This is a general comparison, not a guarantee of performance for every roof — actual results depend on the specific product, the pitch of your roof, and how it's installed.
Does Metal Roofing Actually Handle Hail Better?
Metal roofing generally resists hail damage better than asphalt, but "resists" doesn't mean "immune." Large hailstones can still dent metal panels, especially lighter-gauge material, though it's far less likely to crack, tear, or lose its water-shedding ability the way a battered asphalt shingle can. Asphalt shingles that take a hard hail hit often show bruising or granule loss that isn't obvious from the ground but shortens the roof's remaining life. If you're comparing the two specifically for storm resilience, we cover material-specific hail performance in more detail on our metal roofing and asphalt shingle roofing pages.
Which Material Makes More Sense for a Full Replacement?
If you're already planning a complete roof replacement, that's the natural point to weigh metal against asphalt rather than defaulting to whatever was on the house before. A few practical questions help narrow it down:
- How long do you plan to stay in the home? Metal's higher upfront cost pencils out better over a long ownership horizon.
- What's your roof pitch and exposure? Steeper, more wind-exposed roofs benefit more from metal's snow-shedding and wind performance.
- What's your budget for this project right now? Asphalt keeps the initial cost down if metal isn't in the range this year.
- How do you feel about periodic maintenance? Both need occasional attention, but the type of upkeep differs by material.
There's no universally correct answer — a well-installed asphalt roof and a well-installed metal roof can both serve a western North Dakota home for years. The installation quality matters as much as the material choice.
What Should You Do Before Deciding?
Start with a professional look at your current roof's condition, not just a materials brochure. An inspection tells you whether repair still makes sense, whether storm damage has already compromised the deck or underlayment, and what your roof's pitch and exposure actually call for. From there, we'll walk through metal and asphalt options side by side for your specific home.
B&C Northern Construction installs and repairs both metal and asphalt roofing for homeowners across Williston, Watford City, Tioga, Ray, Dickinson, Minot, and the rest of western North Dakota. See our service area on the locations page, or reach out through our contact page to schedule a look at your roof before you commit to a material.