Why We Wrote This (And Why You Can Trust It)

I'm Kory Peters. My brother Johnny and I own Dads Roofing out of Agassiz, BC. Before we started roofing in 2021, we spent years as Red Seal Boilermakers in the oil sands. That background gave us something most roofers don't have: a deep understanding of how metals behave under stress, how coatings hold up in harsh environments, and how moisture moves through layered systems.

We install both asphalt shingles and standing seam metal roofing across the Fraser Valley, from Abbotsford to Hope and everywhere in between. We've put on over 500 roofs since 2021, roughly split between the two materials. We make comparable margins on both. We have no financial incentive to steer you toward one or the other.

What we do have is real data from real roofs in this specific climate. This comparison is based on what we've actually seen on the homes we work on, not manufacturer marketing sheets or national averages that don't account for the Fraser Valley's unique conditions.

The Short Answer

Go with asphalt shingles if:

• You're selling the house within 5-10 years
• Your budget is tight and you need a reliable roof now
• You're in a moderate climate zone (Abbotsford, Chilliwack lowlands)
• You prefer the traditional look of dimensional shingles

Go with standing seam metal if:

• You're in Hope, Harrison Hot Springs, or any high-snow area
• You're staying in the home 15+ years and want zero maintenance
• Your roof is steep (7/12 pitch or higher) and snow shedding matters
• You're dealing with persistent moss problems on your current roof
• You want one roof for the rest of your life

The Full Comparison: What We See on the Job

1. Upfront Cost

This is where asphalt wins, and it's not close.

Asphalt shingles (IKO Cambridge or equivalent):

• Material: $90-120 per square (100 sq ft)
• Labour: $150-200 per square
• Typical Fraser Valley home: $5,000-7,000 installed

Standing seam metal (24-gauge steel, Kynar 500 finish):

• Material: $400-600 per square
• Labour: $300-400 per square
• Typical Fraser Valley home: $25,000-35,000 installed

That's a 3-5x difference upfront. It's the main reason most homeowners choose asphalt, and for many situations, that's the right call. We never pressure anyone into metal when asphalt will serve them well.

2. How Long They Actually Last Here

National averages say asphalt shingles last 25-30 years. In the Fraser Valley, we see a different story. Our climate is one of the wettest in Canada. That constant moisture, combined with moss growth and temperature cycling, takes a real toll.

Asphalt shingles in the Fraser Valley:

• Realistic lifespan: 20-25 years
• We regularly tear off 18-year-old roofs that are already failing
• Poor ventilation or untreated moss can cut that to 15 years
• Proper installation (our 6-nail pattern, correct ventilation) pushes it toward 25

Standing seam metal in the Fraser Valley:

• Realistic lifespan: 50-70+ years
• Kynar 500 coating alone is warrantied for 40 years of colour retention
• The steel underneath is rated for decades beyond that
• We haven't had to replace a metal roof yet, and the oldest ones in the valley are still going strong

3. Total Cost Over 50 Years

This is where the conversation shifts. Johnny likes to do this math with homeowners at the kitchen table because it tells a different story than the upfront price.

Asphalt over 50 years:

• Initial install: $6,000
• Replacement at year 22-25 (inflation-adjusted): $8,000-10,000
• Moss treatment every 2-3 years: $4,000-5,000 total
• Minor repairs (blown shingles, flashing touch-ups): $2,000-3,000
• 50-year total: $20,000-24,000

Standing seam metal over 50 years:

• Initial install: $30,000
• Replacement: $0
• Moss treatment: $0
• Repairs: $0 (virtually maintenance-free)
• 50-year total: $30,000

The gap is $6,000-10,000 over half a century. That's real money, but it's a lot closer than most people expect. And if you factor in the hassle of scheduling a second roof replacement, taking time off work, and dealing with the disruption, many homeowners tell us the metal was worth it just for the peace of mind.

4. Snow and Ice Performance

If you're in Hope, Harrison, or the upper Fraser Valley where heavy snowfall is normal, this is the section that matters most.

Asphalt in heavy snow:

• Granular surface grips snow and holds it in place
• Ice dams form at the eaves as melt-freeze cycles repeat
• Heavy accumulation adds significant weight to the structure
• May require manual snow removal after major storms
• Heat cables at the eaves add ongoing electricity costs

Metal in heavy snow:

• Smooth panels let snow slide off naturally as it begins to melt
• Ice dams are extremely rare with proper eave detailing
• Self-clearing within days of a snowfall
• No structural stress from snow accumulation
• Snow guards can control slide-off timing where needed (above doorways, walkways)

We've installed metal roofs on homes in Hope where the owners used to spend weekends raking snow off their asphalt roof. After the metal went on, they never touched it again. That's not marketing; that's what we hear when we drive by and check in.

5. Wind Resistance

Hope gets some of the strongest wind events in the valley, and exposed properties along the river corridors between Agassiz and Chilliwack take a beating too.

Asphalt shingles:

• Rated 110-130 mph for architectural shingles
• Our 6-nail pattern (instead of the standard 4) improves hold significantly
• Failure mode: wind catches an edge, peels the shingle back, tears the sealant strip
• Even well-installed shingles can lose a few in a serious windstorm

Standing seam metal:

• Engineered systems rated 150+ mph
• Mechanically locked seams have no exposed edges for wind to catch
• We have never had a standing seam panel come off in a windstorm
• Concealed fasteners eliminate the weak point that exposed-fastener metal has

6. Moss, Algae, and the Fraser Valley's Moisture

This one is personal. We spend a significant chunk of our time on moss-related repairs. It's the Fraser Valley's number one roofing problem, and it affects one material far more than the other.

Asphalt and moss:

• The granular surface traps organic debris and holds moisture
• Moss growth is inevitable on north-facing slopes and shaded areas
• Untreated moss lifts shingle edges, accelerates granule loss, and causes leaks
• Needs professional treatment every 2-3 years ($250-350 per treatment)
• Algae-resistant granules slow growth but don't prevent it

Metal and moss:

• Non-porous surface gives moss and algae nothing to grip
• Rain washes debris off naturally
• Zero moss treatment required, ever
• This is the single biggest practical advantage of metal in our climate

7. Fire Resistance

With wildfire risk increasing across BC, this matters more than it did ten years ago. Properties in Hope, the upper valley, and anywhere near forested areas should consider this carefully.

• Asphalt: Class A fire rating (the highest for shingles), but still combustible under direct flame or intense radiant heat from nearby fire
• Metal: Non-combustible. Cannot ignite from airborne embers, radiant heat, or direct flame contact. This is the material fire departments recommend in interface zones

8. The Look

This is entirely subjective, and we respect whatever direction you lean.

• Asphalt gives a traditional, textured residential look. Architectural shingles mimic the depth of wood shake. Hundreds of colours. Blends into any neighbourhood.
• Standing seam metal gives clean, modern vertical lines. Fewer colour options (10-15 standard) but the look is distinctive. Some homeowners love it; others think it looks too industrial for a house.

We've seen both materials look incredible on Fraser Valley homes. It comes down to your taste and what fits your home's architecture.

9. Resale Value

Asphalt: A new asphalt roof adds roughly $5,000-8,000 to a home's value in the Fraser Valley market. Buyers expect it and view it neutrally. You recoup about 60-70% of your cost at sale.

Metal: A standing seam metal roof adds $15,000-25,000 to home value. It's seen as a premium upgrade. You recoup a lower percentage (50-60%) but a higher dollar amount. Informed buyers appreciate the "never need to replace" factor.

Our Recommendations by Situation

You're in Hope or Harrison Hot Springs

Our pick: Metal. The combination of heavy snow, high winds, and ice dam risk makes metal the clear winner. We've seen enough weather damage on asphalt roofs in these areas to feel strongly about this. If budget is tight, asphalt with our 6-nail protocol and proper ice-and-water shield at the eaves is a solid plan B.

You're in Agassiz, Chilliwack, or Abbotsford

Our pick: Either works. The moderate climate here means asphalt performs well as long as you keep up with moss treatment. Metal eliminates that maintenance entirely and will last longer, but the upfront premium is harder to justify when the weather isn't punishing your roof as hard.

You're selling in the next 5-10 years

Our pick: Asphalt. You won't recoup metal's premium before selling. A fresh asphalt roof is one of the best investments you can make for curb appeal and buyer confidence. Save the difference for other upgrades that buyers notice.

You're staying 20+ years or building new

Our pick: Metal, if the budget allows. Over that time horizon, the total cost converges and you get decades of zero maintenance. One roof, done right, for the rest of your time in the house.

The Bottom Line

Johnny and I talk to homeowners about this choice almost every week. The conversation always comes back to the same three questions: Where is your house? How long are you staying? And what's your budget?

There's no universally right answer. Asphalt is a proven, affordable material that performs well in most Fraser Valley conditions when installed properly. Metal is a premium product that eliminates maintenance and outlasts everything else on the market.

We're happy to walk through the numbers for your specific home. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just two roofers giving you the same advice we'd give our own family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a metal roof worth the extra cost in the Fraser Valley?

It depends on location and how long you plan to stay. In high-snow zones like Hope and Harrison, metal pays for itself through zero maintenance and vastly better snow and wind performance. In moderate zones like Abbotsford, asphalt performs well and costs 60-70% less upfront. If you're staying 20+ years, metal's lifetime cost is within $6,000-10,000 of asphalt because you never replace it.

How long does each material actually last in BC's wet climate?

Asphalt shingles: 20-25 years realistically, though we've torn off some as young as 15 years when ventilation was poor or moss went unchecked. Standing seam metal: 50-70+ years. The Kynar 500 coating alone carries a 40-year colour warranty, and the steel substrate lasts well beyond that.

Does metal handle Fraser Valley snow better than asphalt?

Significantly better. Metal's smooth surface sheds snow naturally as temperatures rise, preventing the buildup that causes ice dams and structural stress. We've installed metal roofs for homeowners in Hope who used to spend every winter weekend raking snow off their asphalt roof. After the switch, they never touched the roof again.

Which roof type requires less maintenance?

Metal, by a wide margin. It's essentially maintenance-free because its non-porous surface doesn't support moss or algae. Asphalt in the Fraser Valley needs moss treatment every 2-3 years (about $250-350 each time), periodic repairs from wind damage, and eventually a full replacement. Over 50 years, asphalt maintenance costs add up to $6,000-8,000.

Can I put metal roofing over my existing asphalt shingles?

It's technically possible, but we strongly advise against it. Layering over old shingles hides deck damage, traps moisture between layers, and voids most manufacturer warranties. In the Fraser Valley's wet climate, trapped moisture is an especially dangerous problem. We always recommend a full tear-off so we can inspect and repair the deck before the new material goes on.

Want to talk through the options for your specific home? Call (778) 539-6917 or stop by our shop in Agassiz. We'll give you the same honest advice we'd give our own parents.