Key numbers
103 verified hail storms with stones of 1.5 inches or larger reached El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs, from 2000 to 2025 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 2000 to 2025 | 2000s: 35, 2010s: 44, 2020s: 24 Source: Storm library: El Paso County hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $352.8 million insured losses (2016 dollars), July 28, 2016 Source: RMIIA |
| 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 |
| 7,500 | 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. Source: 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 |
A storm counts when the library lists El Paso County among the areas it hit. Each hail size is the storm's largest report, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
Aluminum is a good metal roof for a Colorado Springs home when weight or corrosion is the deciding factor: it is much lighter than steel and cannot rust. For most homes here, though, steel is the better value, because aluminum is softer and dents more easily in hail. We install both and will tell you which fits your roof.
Where aluminum makes sense
- Light framing or an older home. Aluminum adds very little weight, which helps when the framing was built for a light roof. Remember that PPRBD designs roofs here to carry 30 psf of snow on a flat roof below 7,000 feet and 40 psf above it, and a lighter covering leaves more of the structure for snow.
- Corrosion-prone spots. Areas with constant moisture, such as under a dripping evaporative cooler or near pools and hot tubs, are where rust-proof metal pays off.
- Low-pitch accent roofs over porches and additions, where a light standing seam panel is easy to handle.
Where steel is the better choice
- Hail exposure. Aluminum dents more easily. If your neighborhood sees repeat hail, steel or a Class 4 rated product is the safer pick.
- Budget. Steel costs less for the same profile.
- Foot traffic. Aluminum is easier to dent by walking on it, which matters if the roof carries solar or swamp cooler equipment that needs service.
Profiles and finishes
Aluminum comes as standing seam panels and as stamped shingle and shake profiles. Painted finishes reflect sunlight, which can cut summer heat gain into the attic. Keep aluminum away from copper flashing, gutters, or roof runoff, because the combination corrodes the aluminum.
Permits, fire rating, and HOAs
An aluminum reroof in Colorado Springs or elsewhere in El Paso County is permitted through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department like any reroof over 100 square feet, and above 7,000 feet the code calls for an ice barrier at the eaves. Inside city limits the roof must be a Class A assembly; aluminum panels reach that rating as part of a listed assembly, which we confirm for the product you choose. If you live in an HOA, get the panel profile and color approved before we order, since metal roofs are often reviewed more closely than shingles.
How long will it last?
A well-installed metal roof can outlast several asphalt roofs, and aluminum’s lack of rust helps it age well. Our article on metal roof lifespan in Colorado Springs covers the variables, and the metal roofing cost guide shows how aluminum compares on price.
Maintenance
Keep branches from rubbing the roof, keep gutters clear, and stay off the panels unless a repair calls for it. Have the roof looked at after any hailstorm large enough to dent cars, because dents on aluminum can be cosmetic or can open seams.
Is aluminum the right fit?
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, and BBB accredited with an A+ rating. We can price aluminum and steel side by side at a free roof consultation. See all profiles on our metal roofing page.
Sources: PPRBD, Basic Design Information (updated 06/30/2026); PPRBD, Reroof Guidelines (rev. 03/05/2024).
