Key numbers
In Colorado State University burn tests at 7,500 feet, plywood charring under Class A asphalt shingles was about three times the area under metal roofing, and about twice under synthetic shake (Colorado State University / EPiC Series in Built Environment, 2021).
| 9.69 million | Metal was the main roofing material on 9.69 million U.S. homes in 2020. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2020 |
|---|---|
| 54.3% | According to Remodeling's 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a metal roof replacement in the Mountain region cost $46,579 and recouped 54.3% at resale. Source: Remodeling / JLC (Zonda), 2025 |
For most Colorado Springs homes, impact-resistant architectural asphalt shingles are the best value, and metal is the better choice when you plan to stay a long time, want the longest-lasting roof against hail and snow, and can budget a higher upfront cost. Both must meet the same local rules: a Class A fire rating inside Colorado Springs city limits, a permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD), and an ice barrier if your home sits above 7,000 feet. The right answer depends on your house, your HOA and how long you will own it.
Side by side
| Factor | Architectural asphalt shingles | Metal (standing seam or metal shingles) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher; see our metal roof cost guide |
| Expected life | Shorter | Longer; see metal roof lifespan in Colorado Springs |
| Hail | Class 4 impact-rated options resist hail better than standard shingles | Resists punctures well; can dent cosmetically depending on gauge and profile |
| Snow | Holds snow on the roof | Sheds snow fast; plan snow guards over doors, walks and gutters |
| Wind | Sealed and nailed to the wind rating on the label | Panels and clips rated as a system |
| Repairs | Easy to patch a few shingles | Panel repairs need matching material and skill |
| HOA approval | Usually easy | Check covenants first |
| Minimum slope | 2:12 under PPRBD rules | Depends on the product |
What Colorado Springs code requires of either roof
PPRBD’s Reroof Guidelines (rev. March 5, 2024) apply whatever material you choose:
- Class A fire rating for one- and two-family homes in the City of Colorado Springs, excluding solid wood roofing products.
- Full tear-off before new asphalt shingles; no layering over old roofs.
- Ice barrier above 7,000 feet, extending at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line.
- Drip edge at eaves and rakes of shingle roofs.
- No asphalt shingles below a 2:12 pitch.
- Inspections: a final for typical asphalt and direct-to-deck metal shingles; tile adds a dry-in inspection.
PPRBD’s design criteria also set the snow and wind loads homes here are built for: 43 psf ground snow load below 7,000 feet and 57 psf at or above it, and a 130 mph basic wind speed for typical homes. Those numbers are why snow shedding and fastening matter so much here. Our Colorado Springs roofing codes article goes further.
When asphalt is the better choice
- You may sell within ten years and want the best return on a smaller budget.
- Your insurance claim is paying for a shingle roof and you want to keep the project inside the claim.
- Your HOA limits roof materials.
- The roof has many valleys, dormers and penetrations that make metal expensive.
If you go with shingles, an impact-rated product is worth pricing; our Class 4 shingle comparisons explain the ratings. Color is the next decision; see how to choose a shingle color.
When metal is the better choice
- You plan to stay for decades and want to avoid the next hail replacement.
- The house is simple in shape, such as a ranch, where panels run long and clean.
- You want snow off the roof quickly and can plan where it lands.
- You like the look and your HOA allows it.
Cost drivers for either material
Roof size and pitch, the number of valleys, chimneys and skylights, tear-off of old layers, decking repairs, gutters and snow guards drive the price more than the material name alone. Our guides to asphalt shingle roof cost and roof replacement cost in Colorado Springs explain them. Financing is available if it helps you choose the roof you want.
Signs it is time to decide
An older roof, missing or creased shingles, granules piling up in downspouts, rust or loose fasteners on metal, or water stains on ceilings all mean it is time for an inspection. Hail is the other trigger; choosing a local roofer near Cimarron Hills explains why storm timing matters, and when to fix a roof rather than wait covers the cost of putting it off. New gutters often go on at the same time; see choosing a gutter system.
See both on your house
Integrity Roofing and Painting installs both asphalt and metal roofing in Colorado Springs. We are veteran-owned, family-run since 1990, and an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free Colorado Springs roof inspection and we will price Good, Better and Best options side by side.
Sources: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, Reroof Guidelines, rev. 03/05/2024, and Basic Design Information, updated 06/30/2026.
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