Solar Installation on Metal, Shingle, and Tile Roofs Compared

Your roof material determines the mounting hardware, installation technique, and sometimes the price of your solar project — here's how the three most common types compare.

Asphalt shingle (the default case)

The large majority of U.S. homes have asphalt shingle roofs, and most installers' standard pricing assumes this material. Mounting typically uses flashed roof hooks or brackets screwed into the rafters beneath the shingles, sealed to prevent leaks. This is the fastest, most standardized, and generally least expensive roof type to install on.

Standing-seam metal roofing

Metal roofs are often actually easier and cheaper to mount solar on than shingles, because many mounting systems can clamp directly onto the standing seams without any roof penetrations at all — eliminating leak risk at the mounting points entirely. If your metal roof doesn't have standing seams (exposed-fastener metal panels instead), traditional penetrating mounts are used similar to shingle roofs.

Tile roofing (clay or concrete)

Tile roofs are generally the most labor-intensive and expensive to mount on, since installers need specialized tile-hook mounting hardware and often need to carefully remove, cut, or replace tiles around each mounting point to maintain a proper seal. Expect a meaningful cost premium (installers commonly cite 10-20% higher labor cost) compared to a shingle roof of the same size, and confirm your installer has specific tile-roof experience — this is not a good roof type for a first-time crew to learn on.

Roof age matters regardless of material

Most installers recommend against installing solar on a roof with fewer than 10-15 years of remaining life, since removing and reinstalling panels for a roof replacement later typically costs $1,500-$3,000+ in labor. If your roof is aging regardless of material, it's often more cost-effective to replace it at the same time as installing solar rather than a few years later.