Both metal and asphalt are weatherproof roofing materials that hold up against winter weather. Serving 730+ towns across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a woman-owned exterior remodeling company and GAF Master Elite roofing contractor with 7,000+ installations completed since 2011. Roofing has to handle snow, wind, and freeze-thaw all winter long.
Asphalt vs. Metal in a Cold-Climate Winter
- Wind warranty: Timberline HDZ, installed with required GAF accessories, has a wind warranty with no maximum speed. Get a free estimate this fall.
- Price compare: Architectural asphalt roofs average $35,701. Metal roofs average $56,282.
- Snow loads: Many roofs handle about 20 pounds per square foot. One foot of wet snow can weigh that much.
- Energy edge: Metal roofs can save significant energy compared to asphalt, per Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Snow can also easily slide off this material.
- Resale return: Asphalt recoups about 68% nationally, while metal recoups about 50%.
| Roofing Type | Average | Resale Return | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt (Timberline HDZ) | $35,701 | About 68% | No-max-wind-speed warranty; lower upfront cost |
| Metal | $56,282 | About 50% | Energy savings versus asphalt |
Choosing Your Roof Before Winter
Top Recommendation: GAF Timberline HDZ pairs a $35,701 average with a no-maximum-wind-speed warranty. Book a free fall estimate.
Best for Energy: Metal roofing can save significant energy, despite a $56,282 average.
Smart for Fall: Install before snow loads and winter wind arrive.
Request a free roofing estimate from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.
Browse our complete roofing FAQ guide from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.
Explore the Coastal Windows & Exteriors Roofing Exterior Remodeling Home Improvement Help Center.
Still have questions about Which Roofing Materials Hold Up Best Against Snow, Wind, and Freeze-Thaw Cycles? See the areas we serve and talk to your local roofing contractor.
Last Updated: September 2026
Sources:
- The WindProven Limited Wind Warranty carries no maximum wind speed limit when installed with required GAF accessories. GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles, manufacturer product page detailing WindProven warranty eligibility. (Accessed September 2026)
- Asphalt roofs average $35,701 and metal roofs average $56,282 in New England. Remodeling Magazine (JLC Online) 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, New England, regional cost averages by roofing material. (2025)
- Asphalt roofs recoup about 68% of cost at resale, versus about 50% for metal. Remodeling Magazine (JLC Online) 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, National, national resale return data by roofing type. (2025)
- Many roofs are designed for a baseline snow load of about 20 pounds per square foot, which one foot of heavy wet snow can reach. GAF How Much Snow Can a Roof Handle Safely, guidance on roof snow load limits. (2026)
- Metal roofs can save significant energy compared to asphalt roofing. Oak Ridge National Laboratory Metal Roofing Energy Study, national laboratory research on metal roof energy performance. (2013)
