Metal Roofing Alliance Member
TVA Preferred Partners Network
Music City Specialists
Nashville, TN
Licensed & Insured
BBB A+
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We are called The Metal Roofers. It is literally our name. But we install asphalt shingles every week, because sometimes shingles are the right answer, and we would rather install your shingle roof correctly than watch someone else install it wrong. This page is our honest take on asphalt shingles: what they do well, where they fall short, when they make sense, and when you should be looking at metal instead. If you want a shingle roof from a crew that also knows every metal system on the market, you are in the right place.
Asphalt shingles are installed in overlapping courses from the eave to the ridge, fastened with roofing nails. Each shingle overlaps the one below it, creating a layered surface that sheds water by gravity. The system works well when new — the granules reflect UV, the asphalt stays flexible, and the overlap keeps water out. The system degrades over time as UV exposure hardens and cracks the asphalt, granules loosen and wash away (you find them in your gutters), thermal cycling curls the edges, and Nashville's frequent hail impacts fracture the granule bond and accelerate aging.
We install architectural shingles as our standard — we do not install three-tab on any project. Three-tab shingles are thinner, lighter, less wind-resistant, and age faster. The cost difference between three-tab and architectural is $0.50–$1.50 per square foot — a few hundred dollars on a typical Nashville home — and the performance difference is not close. Any contractor still installing three-tab in 2026 is cutting corners.
Most architectural shingle manufacturers advertise "limited lifetime" warranties. Read the fine print. These warranties are prorated after the first 10–15 years, meaning the manufacturer's obligation decreases with every year the shingle ages. By year 20, when the shingle is most likely to fail in Nashville's climate, the warranty may cover 20–40% of the original material cost — not labor, not tear-off, not disposal, not underlayment. A "lifetime" warranty does not mean the shingle will last a lifetime. It means the manufacturer will participate in a declining percentage of material replacement cost for as long as you own the home. We explain this to every customer before installation.
The gap between warranty claims and real-world performance exists because manufacturer warranties are based on controlled laboratory conditions, not on a roof in Nashville facing 160°F summer surfaces, hail, and 48 inches of rain per year. Ventilation quality is the single biggest factor in shingle lifespan — a poorly ventilated attic can cut shingle life by 25–40% because trapped heat bakes the shingle from both sides. Every shingle roof we install includes a ventilation assessment and upgrade if needed.
All costs are approximate ranges as of early 2026 and vary by roof size, pitch, complexity (number of valleys, penetrations, hips), access, deck condition, and product selection. Contact us for a project-specific estimate.
The most popular category in Nashville — clean, contemporary, pairs with everything from white farmhouse siding to dark brick. Charcoal provides depth without the heat absorption concerns of true black (though both run hot in Nashville summers). Dominant in new construction across Davidson, Williamson, and Rutherford counties.
Warm brown-gray blends that complement natural stone, warm-toned brick, and cedar siding. Popular in established neighborhoods and on homes with heavy landscaping where the roof sits into a natural setting rather than contrasting against it.
Cool-toned medium grays that work well on Colonial, Georgian, and traditional homes. Less common than charcoal but increasingly popular on homes with blue, green, or cool-gray siding or painted brick.
Richer brown tones with amber and copper-brown highlights. Natural pairing for homes with warm-toned stone, cedar, or log accents common in the Nashville exurbs and rural Middle Tennessee.
We carry full color sample boards from every major manufacturer and will bring them to your property so you can see the color against your actual siding, brick, and trim in your actual light conditions — not under the fluorescent lights of a showroom.
If your shingle roof was damaged by a storm and your insurance is paying for replacement, this is the single best opportunity to upgrade to metal — because insurance covers the shingle-equivalent cost and you only pay the difference. A metal shingle upgrade can be as little as $0–$3,000 out of pocket above your deductible. Class 4 impact-rated metal shingles then reduce your insurance premium 15–35% going forward, and the roof lasts 40–60 years instead of 20. At minimum, ask us about the upgrade math before defaulting to shingles. The numbers may surprise you.
This comparison uses approximate costs and generalized assumptions for illustrative purposes only. Actual costs, lifespans, insurance savings, and energy savings vary by individual property, product selection, carrier, usage, and market conditions. Future material and labor costs are estimated based on current pricing and may change. This is not a guarantee of savings or financial performance. Consult your insurance agent for carrier-specific premium information.
We inspect the existing roof from on top — not from the ground with binoculars. We assess the deck condition beneath, check ventilation (soffit intake and ridge exhaust), inspect the attic from inside for moisture signs, and document everything with photos. You receive a clear assessment of what needs to happen before a single shingle is removed.
We remove all existing roofing material down to bare deck on every project. We do not roof over existing shingles — ever. Two layers of shingles trap heat, add unnecessary weight, hide deck damage, and produce a worse roof. The old roof comes off, the deck is inspected and repaired where needed, and the new roof starts on a solid, verified substrate.
Soft, water-damaged, or delaminated decking is replaced with new OSB or plywood before any roofing material is installed. Installing shingles over compromised decking is like painting over rot — it looks fine until it does not. We replace what needs replacing and document it for your records.
Synthetic underlayment across the full deck. Self-adhered ice and water shield membrane at all eaves (first 3 feet minimum), valleys, and around penetrations — code requires it at eaves, but we extend it to every vulnerable area because it costs very little and prevents the leaks that are most expensive to repair later.
Metal drip edge at all eaves and rakes. Pre-formed valley metal in open valleys or woven valley construction per manufacturer specs. Step and counterflashing at all walls. Metal pipe boots at every pipe penetration — not rubber. Ridge vent for exhaust, verified soffit intake for balanced ventilation.
Starter course at the eave, field shingles installed per manufacturer specifications (nailing pattern, exposure, offset), hip and ridge cap shingles. Every nail is in the manufacturer's specified nailing zone — not high-nailed, not low-nailed, not angled. Correct nailing is the single most important factor in wind resistance, and it is the detail most commonly compromised by crews working too fast.
Magnetic nail sweep of the entire property (yard, driveway, landscaping beds). Gutter cleaning. Final photo documentation of the completed roof from all four sides. Walk-through with the homeowner. Permit inspection scheduled with Metro Nashville or the local authority having jurisdiction.
Covers defects in the shingle material itself — manufacturing defects, premature granule loss, algae staining (on algae-resistant products). Does not cover damage from storms, improper installation, inadequate ventilation, or normal weathering. Most "limited lifetime" warranties are prorated after 10–15 years, meaning the coverage decreases as the shingle ages. We help you understand the specific terms of the warranty on the product you choose — before installation, not after.
Covers the installation itself — if a leak results from a workmanship error (missed flashing, improper nailing, inadequate seal), we come back and fix it at no cost. Our workmanship warranty covers the labor and materials for the repair. We stand behind our installation because we install it right the first time, document the work, and have no intention of disappearing. We have been in Nashville. We are staying in Nashville.
Because a crew trained in standing seam metal, copper flat-lock, and zinc shingle installation does not forget how to care about details when the material changes. Metal roofing demands precision at every flashing, every seam, every fastener — and that same discipline carries into every shingle roof we install. You are hiring the crew, the standards, and the company, not just the material.
We will present both options honestly. If metal is the better long-term choice for your situation, we will explain why. If shingles make more sense given your budget, timeline, or plans, we will tell you that too. We do not pressure. We inform. The decision is yours. We would rather install a shingle roof you are happy with than a metal roof you felt pushed into.
Standard architectural shingles: 18–25 years in Nashville's climate with proper ventilation. Class 4 impact-rated: 20–28 years. Luxury/designer: 25–35 years. These are realistic ranges based on Tennessee weather conditions — not the manufacturer's warranty period, which is based on laboratory testing and does not account for Nashville's heat, hail, and humidity.
In Nashville, yes. The insurance premium discount (10–28% from many carriers) often pays for the cost difference within 3–5 years, and the improved hail resistance means fewer claims and fewer replacement cycles. Call your insurance agent first to confirm the discount your carrier offers for Class 4 products, then factor that into your decision.
No. We install architectural shingles as our minimum standard. The cost difference between three-tab and architectural is a few hundred dollars on a typical home, and the performance difference is substantial — thicker, more wind-resistant, better-looking, and longer-lasting. There is no scenario where three-tab is the right choice in 2026.
Technically, some jurisdictions allow a second layer. We will not do it. Installing over an existing layer traps heat (shortening the new shingle's life), hides deck damage, adds unnecessary weight, and produces a visibly inferior result. Full tear-off on every project is our standard because it produces a better roof. Every time.
Yes. Insurance pays the approved shingle replacement amount. You pay your deductible plus the upgrade difference between that approved amount and the metal roof cost. Metal shingles are often the closest to break-even ($0–$3,000 upgrade). We walk you through the exact math for your specific claim. See our Metal Roof Insurance Claims page for the full breakdown.
Most residential shingle roofs are completed in 1–2 days for an average Nashville home (2,000–2,500 sq ft). Larger homes, complex rooflines, or projects requiring significant deck repair may take 2–3 days. We provide a timeline estimate before work begins and communicate if anything changes on site.
We work with all major manufacturers — GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas, and IKO. We do not push one brand over another. We recommend specific products based on your priorities (warranty terms, hail rating, color selection, price point) and explain the meaningful differences between them. All major brands produce quality architectural shingles — the installation quality matters more than the brand name on the wrapper.
Call us or schedule an inspection. We will get on your roof (not look at it from the driveway), assess its condition, discuss your options — shingles and metal — with honest pricing for both, and help you make the decision that fits your home, your budget, and your plans. No pressure. No games. Just a straight answer from a company that knows roofing.
We install shingles with the same discipline, the same detail standards, and the same warranties we bring to every metal roof. And when the day comes that you want to upgrade — we will be here for that too.