Asphalt Shingles vs. Metal Roofing: Which Is Right for Your Jenks Home?

If you're facing a roof replacement in Jenks, you've probably already Googled "asphalt vs. metal" and come away more confused than before. Every website claims their material is the best, and most of them aren't writing from Oklahoma.

We install both. We're not loyal to either one. What follows is our honest take, based on roofs we've put on Jenks homes and seen weather real Oklahoma storms.

The short version

Asphalt shingles are the right choice for most homeowners in our area. Metal roofing is the right choice for a specific kind of homeowner. We'll explain which camp you're probably in below.

Upfront cost

Asphalt shingles: In 2026, a standard architectural shingle roof in Jenks runs roughly $4.50 to $7.50 per square foot installed, depending on the pitch, complexity, and shingle grade.

Metal roofing: A standing-seam metal roof typically runs $9 to $16 per square foot installed. Exposed-fastener ag-panel metal is cheaper but not what we'd recommend for a residential home.

So metal is roughly two to three times the upfront cost. That's the first hurdle, and it's a real one.

Lifespan

Asphalt: Architectural shingles carry manufacturer warranties up to 50 years, but in Oklahoma reality, you should plan on 20 to 25 years before replacement — and less if you take a hail hit.

Metal: A properly installed standing-seam metal roof can last 50+ years. Many outlive the homeowner.

When you amortize the cost across lifespan, metal starts looking a lot more competitive — as long as you plan to stay in the home long enough to see the benefit.

Hail performance

This is the big one in Oklahoma, and it's more nuanced than most people think.

Asphalt shingles take hail damage. There's no way around it. Even impact-resistant Class 4 shingles can bruise in a severe storm. The upside: insurance claims and replacements are straightforward, and most Oklahoma carriers still cover shingle roofs at full replacement value.

Metal roofing is extremely durable but not invincible. Standing-seam metal can dent in large hail. Here's the catch most salespeople won't tell you: many Oklahoma insurance policies now include "cosmetic damage exclusions" on metal roofs, meaning your insurer may not pay to replace a dented-but-functional metal roof.

Translation: metal is more durable but your insurance may cover less of it. Read your policy carefully before assuming metal is a no-brainer for storm country.

Energy efficiency

Metal roofing reflects solar heat, which can lower attic temperatures and ease the load on your AC — a real benefit during an Oklahoma summer. Expect maybe a 10-15% reduction in cooling costs, which adds up over decades.

Asphalt shingles are available with "cool roof" reflective granules that narrow the gap considerably, but metal still wins on pure thermal performance.

Noise

The big metal roofing myth: "it sounds like a tin can during a storm." Not true for modern standing-seam installations over solid decking with proper underlayment. Inside the house, it's comparable to a shingle roof.

The ag-panel barn-style metal? That one can be noisy. But nobody should be putting that on a home anyway.

Aesthetics and home value

Asphalt: Neutral. It looks like what everyone else has, and that's fine. You won't gain or lose resale value based on shingle choice alone.

Metal: Polarizing. Some buyers love it (especially for modern farmhouse or craftsman styles). Some buyers find it unfamiliar. In Jenks, we're seeing more metal roofs go on custom homes, but the average suburban resale still leans shingle.

Installation time and disruption

A typical shingle replacement in Jenks takes one to two days. A standing-seam metal roof often takes three to five, because the panels are custom-formed on-site and installed more carefully. Either way, it's disruptive — just something to plan around.

Which one is right for you?

Choose asphalt if:

• You plan to be in the home less than 15-20 years.

• Upfront budget is a real constraint.

• You want the simplest path for future insurance claims.

• You want your home to blend with the neighborhood aesthetic.

Choose metal if:

• This is your forever home.

• You're on a pitched roof with relatively simple geometry (metal gets expensive on complex roofs with lots of valleys).

• Energy efficiency matters to you.

• You've confirmed your insurance policy doesn't have a metal cosmetic damage exclusion.

• You love the look.

A third option nobody talks about

Impact-resistant Class 4 asphalt shingles. They cost a bit more than standard architectural shingles, qualify for insurance discounts with most Oklahoma carriers, and perform much better in hail. For most Jenks homeowners, this is the sweet spot we recommend. We'll dedicate a full post to them in a few weeks.

Still not sure?

The right roof depends on your house, your budget, and how long you plan to stay. We've installed both systems on homes up and down the Arkansas River corridor, and we're happy to walk your property and give you an honest recommendation — even if that recommendation is "your current roof has another five years in it."

Ready for a free roof inspection?

We've been helping Jenks, Bixby, Glenpool, and south Tulsa homeowners protect their biggest investment for years. If you'd like an honest set of eyes on your roof — no pressure, no sales pitch — give us a call at (918) 897-2998 or request a free estimate online. We'll tell you straight whether you need a repair, a replacement, or nothing at all.