
Spokane sits on basalt and glacial outwash above the falls of the Spokane River, ringed by ponderosa pines and Douglas firs that drop limbs on roofs every windstorm. From the steep Queen Anne gables of Browne's Addition and the South Hill to the low-pitch 1950s ranches across Hillyard and the Valley, most homes here still carry aging asphalt shingles that crack under freeze-thaw cycles and grow ice dams at the eaves each January. That is exactly where Metal Shingle Roofing in Spokane earns its keep: steel shingles that mimic architectural shingle, slate or shake profiles, rated for heavy snow load and Inland Northwest wind, and built to outlast two or three shingle roofs. We install, repair and replace metal shingle systems across Spokane and the surrounding communities, matching profiles to the house instead of forcing a modern look onto a 1920s bungalow. If you are weighing this against a panel system, compare our standing seam metal roofing options before you decide.
Why Metal Shingle Roofing Fits Spokane's Snow, Wind and Old Housing Stock
Spokane winters load roofs with wet, heavy snow and then thaw fast, which is the classic setup for ice dams at the eaves and water backing up under shingle courses. Metal shingles shed that load and, because they interlock and lock down at the fastening line, they resist the wind uplift that peels asphalt on exposed ridges in Five Mile Prairie and Suncrest. The lightweight panels also suit older homes where the framing was never sized for a second or third layer of shingles.
- Heavy snow load slides off the smooth steel face instead of soaking into mat, which cuts ice dam damage at the gutter line.
- Wind and limb strikes dent or crack asphalt but usually glance off a steel shingle, and individual shingles can be swapped without tearing off a whole slope.
- Freeze-thaw cycling does not split steel the way it splits aged shingle tabs on a south-facing Valley ranch.
- Historic and HOA review is easier to pass with shingle profiles that read as slate or cedar shake from the street in Browne's Addition or Rockwood.
- Wildfire embers from late-summer smoke and nearby grass fires find no combustible mat on a steel shingle roof.
For Spokane homeowners with original 1920s to 1970s roofs, this is often the most practical upgrade that still respects the look of the block.
Key info: On a low-pitch 1960s ranch in Hillyard, metal shingles can usually go over one existing layer of asphalt if the deck is sound and local code allows it. On a steep South Hill Craftsman with two layers, we tear off to the deck and inspect the sheathing before anything goes back down.
Roofing permits are commonly required for a full replacement or re-roof in Spokane, and thresholds vary by jurisdiction, so confirm the current rules with the City of Spokane's building department before work starts: Spokane Building Services.
How We Install Metal Shingle Roofing on a Spokane House
Every metal shingle job starts with the deck, not the panels. We walk the roof, check sheathing for rot and soft spots, confirm the underlayment and ice-and-water shield at the eaves, and measure the actual snow-shed path over walkways and entries. Then we set the sequence so the job closes watertight each day, which matters when a Spokane spring can drop rain, sleet and sun in the same afternoon.
- We inspect the deck, rafters and existing flashing, and we photograph anything that needs repair before we quote the metal work.
- We strip old layers where code requires it, replace rotten sheathing and refasten loose decking to the rafters.
- We install high-temp underlayment and ice-and-water shield at eaves, valleys and around chimneys and skylights.
- We set new drip edge, valley metal and step flashing, then lay the metal shingles in the manufacturer's pattern with the correct exposure.
- We fasten with the specified clips or screws and seal penetrations, then check every valley and sidewall by hose test before cleanup.
We finish by magnet-sweeping the yard and gutters for fasteners and trimmings, because pine needles and metal shavings do not belong in a Spokane gutter.
Key info: On a 1990s two-story in Liberty Lake, we found the original builder had nailed shingles straight to a thin deck with no ice shield at the eaves. We added ice-and-water membrane and re-decked two valleys before laying metal shingles, which stopped the winter backup that had stained the ceiling below.
If your home is in the Valley or out toward Millwood, our Spokane Valley metal shingle roofing page covers the local housing and access details.
Metal Shingle Options We Install in Spokane
Not every metal shingle system fits every roof. The profile, the panel size and the fastening method all change how the roof handles snow shed, wind and the look from the curb. Here is how the main approaches line up for Spokane homes.
| Approach | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural shingle profile | Steel shingles stamped to mimic dimensional asphalt tabs, interlocking and walkable. | 1950s to 1990s Spokane ranches and split-levels that want a familiar look. |
| Slate-look steel shingle | Deeper textured profile with a heavier shadow line and concealed fastening. | Brick Tudors and Craftsman homes around Manito and Rockwood. |
| Shake-look steel shingle | Wide, hand-split-looking panels that read as cedar from the street. | Steep gables in Browne's Addition and South Hill historic blocks. |
| Retrofit over one shingle layer | Steel shingles laid over a sound existing layer with new underlayment and flashing. | Homes where code allows it and the budget favors less tear-off. |
| Full tear-off and re-deck | Old layers removed, sheathing repaired, new underlayment and shingles installed. | Older Spokane roofs with two or more layers or soft decking. |
Metal Shingle Roofing Cost in Spokane: What to Expect
Metal shingle roofing pricing starts around $9 per square foot installed for a straightforward profile on a simple roof. That figure moves with the profile you pick, the pitch, how many layers we tear off, and how much deck repair the house needs. A steep South Hill gable with three dormers and a chimney takes more labor and more custom flashing than a clean ranch roof in Mead.
Access matters too. A home hemmed in by mature ponderosas and a narrow driveway means more careful staging and more protection for landscaping. Historic district review in older Spokane neighborhoods can also add time and detail to the quote. Get two or three written estimates so you can compare scope, not just the number, and confirm each one lists underlayment, flashing and tear-off separately. See the full breakdown on our metal roofing pricing page.
Finding a Metal Shingle Roofing Contractor Near Me in Spokane
Hiring for metal shingles is different from hiring for asphalt. Ask whether the crew has installed the specific profile before, whether the manufacturer's warranty requires certified installers, and how the company handles flashing and snow-shed details on your roof type. A low bid that skips ice-and-water shield at the eaves will cost you more after the first January thaw.
- Confirm the contractor is licensed and insured in Washington and ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts.
- Get at least two or three written estimates with the same scope so you can compare fairly.
- Ask for local references on recent metal shingle jobs, not just asphalt work.
- Understand permit requirements and any historic district or HOA design review that applies to your block.
- Check how the company handles cleanup, magnetic sweep and disposal of old shingles.
When you are ready to talk through your roof, reach us through our contact and free estimate page and we will set a time to look at it in person.
Metal Shingle Roofing in Spokane: Pricing Guide
| Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Metal shingle roof, simple profile | Starting at $9/sq ft | Includes underlayment, standard flashing and cleanup on an accessible single-story roof. |
| Slate or shake-look steel shingle | Starting at $12/sq ft | Textured profile with concealed fastening; steeper pitch and dormers raise the rate. |
| Retrofit over one shingle layer | Starting at $10/sq ft | New underlayment and flashing over a sound existing layer where code allows. |
| Full tear-off and re-deck | On estimate | Needs an on-site look to price deck repair, layer count and disposal. |
| Travel | Included | in Spokane and surrounding areas, no separate call-out or mileage fee |
| Estimate | Free | Response within 24h at (509) 355-5690, no obligation to book |
Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (509) 355-5690.