The Rising Cost of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles have long been the go-to roofing material for American homeowners due to their affordability, ease of installation, and decent durability. In 2025, homeowners are facing an increasingly challenging reality: asphalt shingle prices are on the rise—with no signs of slowing down. With recent tariffs, shingle manufacturers have already raised prices, quickly passing on any cost increases.

Whether you’re planning a roof replacement, building a new home, or just trying to understand what’s happening in the market, this guide will explain why asphalt shingles are getting more expensive and what you, as a homeowner, can do about it.

Understanding Asphalt Shingles

Before diving into the rising costs, it helps to understand what asphalt shingles are and why they’re so popular.

What Are Asphalt Shingles?

Asphalt shingles are composed of:

• A fiberglass mat base
• Asphalt for waterproofing
• Granules for UV protection and aesthetics

They come in several styles:

• Three-tab shingles (budget-friendly, flat appearance)
• Architectural shingles (more durable and dimensional)
• Luxury shingles (thicker, designed to look like slate or wood)

Over 70% of U.S. homes have asphalt shingles due to their balance of cost, performance, and aesthetics.

Why Asphalt Shingle Prices Are Rising in 2025

Several interconnected factors are contributing to the cost increases:

Inflation and General Material Costs

The most obvious reason is inflation. As the cost of raw materials, fuel, and labor rises across the board, so do the costs to manufacture, transport, and install shingles.

From 2020 to 2024, inflation pushed building material costs up by double digits in many cases. And in 2025, despite some cooling in general inflation, construction material costs remain stubbornly high, especially for petroleum-based products like asphalt. And tariffs have made matters worse.

Oil and Asphalt Supply Chain Issues

Asphalt, a key ingredient in shingles, is a petroleum product. Global oil supply disruptions, energy policy shifts, and refinery closures in the U.S. have all contributed to asphalt shortages or price spikes. Additionally, shipping costs for oil-derived products are higher. Asphalt is in high demand for infrastructure (e.g., roads), leading to competition between industries.

Labor Shortages and Wage Increases

The construction industry continues to face a labor crunch. Skilled roofers are in short supply, and wages have increased to attract and retain talent. These higher labor costs are passed on to homeowners, either directly in installation pricing or indirectly through increased manufacturer costs.

Manufacturing and Distribution Delays

Several shingle manufacturers have faced production delays due to:

• Equipment shortages
• Increased energy costs
• Regulatory pressures
• High post-pandemic demand

Delays in manufacturing, combined with regional distribution challenges, have resulted in less supply, which pushes prices higher.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

As extreme weather becomes more frequent—hurricanes, hailstorms, wildfires—the demand for roofing materials spikes regionally. Insurance payouts and government rebuilding efforts can create surges in demand, straining national supplies and raising prices even in unaffected areas.

Real Price Trends in 2025: What Homeowners Are Seeing

Asphalt shingles have risen by more than 50% since 2020, with the more premium design and quality, north of 70% increases.

Additionally, installation costs have also increased by 20–30% due to labor and insurance cost spikes.

The Impact of Tariffs in 2025

In 2025, newly added tariffs will severely impact raw material prices, particularly in industries reliant on imported goods like construction, manufacturing, and roofing. Here’s a breakdown of how and where tariffs are influencing costs—especially relevant to materials like asphalt, steel, aluminum, and other roofing components.

Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

The U.S. has maintained or reinstated tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, particularly from countries like China, Turkey, and Russia. These tariffs—ranging from 10% to 25%—affect:

• Roofing nails and fasteners (often steel-based)
• Metal flashing and drip edges
• Aluminum accessories and panels

These added costs trickle down into roofing bids, especially when combined with domestic production limits or surges in demand.

Oil-Based Products (e.g., Asphalt)

While the U.S. produces much of its own asphalt, tariffs on imported oil or refined petroleum products still affect pricing, especially when:

• Domestic supply tightens
• Refineries reduce output or shut down
• Trade disputes limit overseas sourcing

Tariffs on chemical additives and polymers (used in premium asphalt shingles or underlayment) also drive-up costs of higher-end roofing products.

Imported Construction Materials

Tariffs on finished roofing materials or raw components from Asia and Europe (due to ongoing trade disputes or anti-dumping policies) include:

• Synthetic underlayments
• Insulation boards
• Specialized coatings
• Adhesives and sealants

Even when manufacturers source these abroad, increased tariffs can raise overall unit costs by 15–30%.

Global Trade Tensions and Policy Uncertainty

The threat or introduction of new tariffs in 2025 is adding volatility and uncertainty to the supply chain. Distributors and manufacturers often stockpile materials in anticipation, driving up short-term demand and prices.

Additionally, contractors may need to price jobs more conservatively to account for tariff-driven fluctuations during longer projects.

Practical Impact for Homeowners

• Material surcharges may appear in quotes from contractors
• Longer lead times on certain roofing components
• Limited availability of lower cost imported products
• Higher bids overall, especially if using products that rely on imported raw materials

Bottom Line

Tariffs in 2025 continue to inflate the cost of roofing and construction materials, directly impacting asphalt shingles and related products. For homeowners, that means:

• Higher prices
• Less pricing flexibility
• Greater value in acting sooner rather than waiting for unpredictable shifts

Hidden Costs Homeowners Often Miss

The sticker price isn’t the whole story. Rising asphalt shingle prices also affect:

• Tear-Off and Disposal. Landfill fees have increased, and disposal of old roofing is now more expensive—especially in environmentally regulated states.
• Underlayment and Accessories. Felt paper, synthetic underlayment, flashing, nails, and ventilation components have all gone up in price as well. These “non-shingle” costs can account for 25–40% of your roofing project.
• Permits and Inspections. Some municipalities have increased fees to cover new code enforcement costs. In high-growth regions, permit backlogs can delay projects—leading to rushed decisions or premium fees for faster service.

Should You Wait to Replace Your Roof?

Homeowners naturally ask: “Should I wait until prices drop?” Here’s the honest answer: Probably not.

Delaying roof replacement can:

• Void your homeowner’s insurance coverage
• Lead to water damage, mold, and structural issues
• Increase repair costs if problems spread
• Require emergency installation (at premium rates)

Also, there’s no clear indication that asphalt shingle prices will drop significantly. Even if material costs level off, labor and regulatory costs are expected to continue rising.

If your roof is near the end of its life (15–20 years), has signs of damage, or has frequent leaks, it’s smarter to replace it now rather than gamble on uncertain future savings.

Final Thoughts: Knowledge Is Your Best Tool

In 2025, homeowners need to be more informed and proactive than ever before when it comes to home improvement—especially roofing.

Key Takeaways

• Asphalt shingle prices are up 50–70% since 2020.
• Oil prices, labor shortages, inflation, and weather patterns are driving cost increases.
• Delaying needed roof work can lead to far more expensive damage later.
• Smart planning, contractor comparisons, and financing can reduce the burden.

Your roof protects your entire home. Understanding the market forces affecting its cost helps you make a smarter, safer investment.

Choose the Best Asphalt Shingle Roofing Contractor in Denver Metro Area

A high-quality new roof depends on the quality of roofing materials and the installation. No matter the cost and quality of materials, the new roof will depend on quality roofing installation. Choosing among the many asphalt shingle roofing contractors can be daunting. You can find more information on Hiring the Right Roofing Contractor on our website.

At Metro City Roofing, we are incredibly proud of our award-winning, industry-leading reputation in the Denver metro area and across the Front Range. Our expert roofers only do business in Colorado, unlike other roofing companies that chase storms all over the country. We are licensed everywhere we inspect a roof and pull a building code permit with every roof replacement, so you can be confident your roof replacement is installed to meet the current code requirements.

Every sales and project team member is a licensed adjuster where we inspect your roof with the same process as your insurance company. Local insurance agents refer their customers to Metro City Roofing due to our reputation, the trust we’ve built over time, and our 99% success rate in getting the roof claim approved when we recommend filing a claim. With more than 20 years of professional experience, our team has the expertise to guide our customers through the entire insurance claims process, getting your claim approved, settled, and paid by the insurance company.

Now that you better understand the top asphalt shingles brands and specific products from which to choose, you can decide what roofing product to select for your roof replacement and contact Metro City Roofing for professional advice and roof installation.

Our company only does business in Colorado. We do not chase storms across the country. What that means for our customers is that we are licensed everywhere we complete a roof inspection and are well versed in local building codes to ensure we perform all roof replacements and roof repairs per the current code requirements.

Don’t choose just any Denver roofing contractor. Choose Metro City Roofing, metro Denver’s most reputable roofing company. Our entire team works tirelessly for our leading reputation, one customer and one project at a time.

The professionals at Metro City Roofing look forward to discussing your next roof replacement project.