Why Do Homeowners Keep Paying for Asphalt Roofs That Fail in 10 Years?

Cody Giroux
7 minutes ago
3 min read

For decades, asphalt shingles have been sold as the “standard” roof. They’re cheaper on day one—but that’s not the full story. Modern shingles are built on fiberglass mats with filled asphalt and mineral granules; heat, UV, and thermal cycling drive oxidation and brittleness over time. That’s why many asphalt roofs now last about 10–15 years before cracking, curling, or leaking. Asphalt Roofing+2Asphalt Roofing+2

Homeowner is tired of his asphalt roof and the costs

We’re not here to scold anyone; we’re here to protect homeowners. Too many families have been stuck in a replace-repair-replace loop because they never see the lifetime math.

The Part No One Says Out Loud about Asphalt Roofs

Price increases aren’t one-and-done. Major shingle makers announce multiple list-price hikes (often in the 4–10% range) in a single year. For example, GAF and CertainTeed announced national increases of 4–6% (Aug 2024) and 6–10% (Apr 2025); in 2022 many brands raised prices more than once (e.g., +10% in April, +7–10% in August). Canadian stats back the volatility: prepared asphalts (roofing felts, etc.) were +26.4% year-over-year in July 2022, and by April 2023 these materials were 41.7% higher vs. January 2020. statcan.gc.ca +5ABC Supply+5mueller1875.com+5

That means the roof that costs $12,000 today will not cost $12,000 the next time. It will be more, sometimes much more.

Metal Roofing Costs: What You’re Really Buying

Yes, metal roofing costs more upfront, often $35,000–$45,000 for a premium residential installation in our market. But you’re not just buying steel; you’re buying peace of mind:

50+ year lifespan (install once, enjoy for decades)
Our 10-year workmanship guarantee — if anything’s wrong in the first 10 years, we fix it free
True lifetime product warranty, non-prorated, so you’re covered for the long haul

Home is where your life happens. Peace of mind is part of the price, and value.

(Note: metal materials can see periodic adjustments, often ~annual, tied to steel/aluminum markets. 2024 saw individual coil/sheet increases; 2025 had short-term spikes from global trade policy. These swings exist, but you install a metal roof once, not four times.) PAC-CLAD | Petersen+2Reuters+2

The Compounding Cost of Asphalt: Real 50-Year Math

Let’s run a 50-year scenario using the number many homeowners have in mind for asphalt: $12,000 per roof. Asphalt lasts ~10–15 years; we’ll use 12 years (middle of the range), so you’re buying 4 roofs over ~48 years (close enough to 50).

But here’s the honest part: we compound future replacements using manufacturer-level increases seen in recent years.

Assumptions

Base asphalt roof today: $12,000
Replacement timing: Year 0, 12, 24, 36
Annual asphalt price growth (compounded): Conservative 3%, Mid-case 6%, High 9%
- 4–10% manufacturer notices are common; 2022 saw multiple increases in a single year. The 6% mid-case reflects current 2024–2025 guidance; 9% shows what happens in high-inflation years. Richards Building Supply+4ABC Supply+4mueller1875.com+4

Per-cycle asphalt cost (rounded)

3%: $12,000 → $17,109 (Year 12) → $24,394 (Year 24) → $34,779 (Year 36)
6%: $12,000 → $24,146 → $48,587 → $97,767
9%: $12,000 → $33,752 → $94,933 → $267,015

50-year totals (4 roofs)

Conservative 3%: $88,282
Mid-case 6%: $182,501
High 9%: $407,700

Now compare that to a single metal roof installed today for, say, $40,000, with a 10-year workmanship guarantee and a true lifetime, non-prorated product warranty. Even before you count leak repairs, emergency service calls, or interior damage from failures, asphalt’s “cheaper” story collapses under compounding reality.

Bottom line: Over a 50-year horizon, asphalt is usually the expensive choice.

Transparency note on metal pricing if you delay the project: If you wait 5 years and metal rises ~2–3%/yr, that same $40,000 project could be $44,163–$46,371. If you’re staying long-term, it often pays to act sooner. PAC-CLAD | Petersen

Why Asphalt Keeps Getting Chosen Anyway

It’s habit, marketing, and sticker shock. Asphalt looks cheap at the start. But the lifetime math, and the stress, tell a different story.

Replace every decade (give or take)
Worry about storms, blow-offs, and leaks
Budget again… and again

With metal, you buy once and get back to living. That’s the trade most homeowners actually want when they see the full picture.

Our Promise to Homeowners

We keep it simple:

10-Year Workmanship Guarantee: If something’s wrong, we fix it—no charge.
True Lifetime (Non-Prorated) Product Warranty: You’re covered.
Education First: We make sure you’re informed so you can make the right decision for your home and your horizon.