Are Aluminum Shingles a Good Choice for North Carolina Homes?

Aluminum shingles suit North Carolina because they answer the state's biggest roof stresses at once: wind, salt, heat and humidity. NOAA's state climate summary describes North Carolina as having a humid climate with very warm summers and moderately cold winters, plus regular tropical storms. A roof here has to shed heavy rain, stay attached in high wind and hold up to years of sun and moisture.

An aluminum shingle is a panel pressed from aluminum sheet and coated at the factory. Each panel shows several slates, shakes or tiles on its face. On Interlock roofs, the panels lock to each other on all four sides and the fasteners are hidden under the next course, so there are no tabs for wind to lift and few exposed fasteners for water to find.

Aluminum does not absorb water, does not lose granules and does not rust. That combination is what separates it from both asphalt, which ages in sun and heat, and steel, which depends on a coating near salt water. For background on the product itself, see our aluminum shingles page.

Aluminum shingles handle wind well because each panel locks to its neighbors and is fastened under the course above it. Interlock aluminum shingles are rated for winds up to 120 mph when installed to manufacturer specification.

That rating needs context. Hurricanes are not only a coastal problem in North Carolina: Florence in 2018 and Matthew in 2016 caused major flooding well inland, and Helene in 2024 brought a 106 mph gust to the Mount Mitchell station and record flooding to western North Carolina, according to the State Climate Office. At the same time, the North Carolina Residential Code sets design wind speeds by location, and parts of the coast are higher than 120 mph. For a specific house, the engineer or local permit office decides what the roof must meet.

No roof is hurricane-proof. What you can control is a tested system, installed to its fastening schedule, with careful edge and ridge details where wind uplift is strongest. Our hurricane-resistant roofing page and the guide to NC coastal wind zones cover how those requirements work.

Aluminum shingles work well in North Carolina heat, especially in lighter or cool-rated colors. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that conventional roofs can reach 150°F or more on a sunny summer afternoon, and that a reflective roof can stay more than 50°F cooler under the same conditions. Cool roofs pay off most in hot climates, which describes most of North Carolina from May through September.

Interlock colors are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council, which publishes solar reflectance and thermal emittance for roofing products. The Alunar 70% PVDF finish holds color through long summers of sun. Light colors such as Sierra Tan reflect more heat than Black or Deep Charcoal, but darker colors are still a common choice on Triangle homes where appearance or HOA rules come first.

Humidity matters too. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says algae discoloration is most widespread along the Eastern Seaboard and in the Gulf States, where warm, humid air lets airborne algae settle and grow. On asphalt that shows up as the dark streaks seen on many North Carolina roofs. A smooth painted aluminum surface gives algae far less to hold onto, though a roof under heavy shade can still collect some growth, pollen and debris that needs rinsing. See metal roof colors for NC heat and does a metal roof make a house hotter for detail.

Hail, ice and falling limbs are where any homeowner should ask hard questions, whatever the roof material. The National Weather Service office in Raleigh notes that most severe weather in central North Carolina comes in spring and summer, and it defines a severe storm as one producing hail about 1 inch across or gusts above 58 mph. Large hail can dent any metal roof; a dent is usually cosmetic on an interlocking panel, but it is worth knowing how your insurer treats cosmetic damage. Our guide to hail damage in NC explains the insurance side.

Ice storms are a Piedmont hazard. NOAA's climate summary describes a February 2014 event that left up to half an inch of freezing rain in places. Ice can slide off a metal roof in larger sheets than from asphalt, so walkways and entries under the eaves deserve thought, and snow guards are an option.

Falling pine limbs are common across the state. A metal panel may dent where a heavy limb hits, but it does not crack like slate or tile. If a limb does damage a section, have a roofer assess it before the next storm rather than waiting.

Aluminum shingles are not the right choice for every house or every owner. The main reasons to pick something else are:

• Low slope. Interlock aluminum shingles need a roof pitch of at least 3/12. Flatter sections such as porch roofs or additions need a different covering.
• Short ownership. If you plan to sell in a few years, a new asphalt roof may make more financial sense. Our resale value guide covers what metal does and does not do for a sale.
• Budget. Metal Roof NC's rule of thumb is that an Interlock aluminum roof typically costs about 2.5 to 3 times a traditional asphalt-shingle roof. Prices vary job to job with roof size, pitch, tear-off and other conditions, and an on-site estimate is required for an accurate price.
• Rules you cannot change. Some HOAs and historic districts restrict roof materials or colors. Check first; see HOA approval for a metal roof.

For many owners who plan to stay put, the comparison is one aluminum roof against the several asphalt replacements it would otherwise take. Our cost page explains that comparison.

Interlock aluminum shingles come in Slate, Cedar Shingle, Shake and Mediterranean Tile profiles, and Interlock also offers Standing Seam aluminum and Solid Copper. Slate is the most popular profile. It suits brick Colonial Revival homes in Raleigh's older neighborhoods, Durham's Craftsman bungalows and newer two-story homes in Cary and Apex alike. Cedar Shingle and Shake fit farmhouses, lake houses and coastal cottages where wood was the traditional look. Mediterranean Tile works on some Spanish-influenced and modern homes.

Colors include Black, Deep Charcoal, Musket Grey, Hunter Green, Colonial Brown, Tudor Brown, Tile Red, Sierra Tan and Copper Penny. Darker grays and black suit brick and painted-white houses; browns and greens suit wooded lots and lake settings. Ask to see full-size samples outdoors, in morning and afternoon light, because colors read differently on a roof than on a small chip.

The profiles share the same four-sided interlock and concealed fasteners; the difference is appearance. Our guide to Interlock roof profiles shows how each one looks and where it fits.

Interlock aluminum shingles come with two separate warranties: one for the material and one for the installation labor. The Guardian Lifetime Limited Material Warranty from Interlock Roofing covers the material and finish for the original purchaser while they own the home. It can be transferred once, and the second owner is covered to 50 years from substantial completion. The Alunar coating is warranted for 30 years. Workmanship is not part of the material warranty.

For the installation, Metal Roof NC, an authorized Interlock aluminum roofing dealer, provides the Metal Roof NC 5-Year Labor Warranty, which covers workmanship for five years.

Read the actual documents for any roof you consider, and compare what is covered, for whom and for how long. Our metal roof warranty guide explains the terms to look for, and the warranties page has the Interlock details.