How Much Does a Flat Roof Replacement Cost?

If it’s time to replace your flat roof, your biggest concern is probably how much it will cost you. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find anything cost-related because the roofing industry doesn’t like to talk about it. 

We understand how frustrating that is to homeowners like you. After all, how can you be comfortable spending your hard-earned money on a flat roof replacement without an idea of the price?

Here at Bill Ragan Roofing, we want to take those frustrations off your shoulders. That’s why we’ll be giving you an idea of the budget you’ll need for a flat roof replacement. 

But before we get to the cost, you need to know which type of material is right for your flat roof replacement.  

The two types of roof systems for your flat roof replacement

The biggest cost factor for your flat roof replacement is the type of roofing material you choose. However, there are only two types that you can use on a flat roof.  

Let’s start by learning a little about both roof systems to help you decide which one is right for your flat roof.

Membrane roof system

Membrane roof systems are sheets, either 5 foot, 10 foot, 20 foot wide sheets of rolled synthetic, water repellent membrane. The 3 types of membrane roof systems are EPDM, PVC, and TPO. 

Both TPO and PVC are white reflective membranes, which makes it easier to keep the rooms below your flat roof cooler. 

EPDM is a rubber and black membrane that is commonly used above medical facilities. All 3 have their place in residential roofing, but which one you choose depends on the look you want and what rooms are directly below the flat roof. 

If you can see your flat roof outside a window, you're probably not going to go with a white membrane that will get dirty in six months and look unsightly. On the other hand, if a bedroom or living space is below your flat roof, it’s a good idea to go with TPO or PVC to keep the room cool.

Metal roofing

The 2 types of metal roof systems for your flat roof replacement are standing seam and screw-down. 

A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. This allows for panels to expand and contract freely when the metal goes through thermal expansion. 

A screw-down panel is screwed through the metal, which leaves no room for expansion and contraction. Due to its lack of expansion capability, I do not recommend putting a screw-down panel for a flat roof over a heated space, such as your home or office.

If you’re considering a metal roof for your flat roof replacement, I recommend going with a standing seam metal roof system.

How much does a flat roof replacement cost?

Now that you know the two types of roof systems for your flat roof replacement, you’re ready to get to the part that you came here for. Let’s get to the cost of your flat roof replacement. 

Keep in mind, it’s impossible to give you an exact price for a flat roof replacement without a roof assessment. However, I can at least give you a rough estimate for the price for both types of flat roof systems based on square footage.

How much does a membrane flat roof replacement cost?

You should budget between around $14.00-$17.00 per square foot for a smaller membrane flat roof replacement and around $12.00 per square foot on slightly larger projects. When you get into larger commercial projects, the cost per square foot drastically decreases.

If you’re using insulation that’s thick enough to insulate the entire structure, it will cost more than if you're just using fabric insulation and gluing the membrane to it. 

How much does a metal flat roof replacement cost?

A screw down panel metal flat roof replacement starts around $4.50 per square foot. A screw down metal panel will be the cheaper option, but you’ll end up spending money in the future on the maintenance it requires. 

For a flat roof with no penetrations, you can expect a 24 gauge steel standing seam metal roof to cost around $12.00-$15.00 per square foot. This number could be more or less depending on the size of your flat roof, the roofing contractor you hire, and other factors. 

However, these are good numbers to give you an idea of the budget you’ll need for a metal roof. 

The checklist you need to find a great roofing contractor for your flat roof replacement

Now you have a good idea of how much your flat roof replacement will cost. Remember, you won’t know the exact cost until you get an inspection from a local roofing contractor. 

But before reaching out to a few roofing contractors in your area, you need a tool that helps you differentiate between a reputable roofer and a not-so reputable one. After all, the roofing contractor you hire has the biggest impact on your roof. 

That’s why you need the Checklist of Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor. 

This checklist has the 16 questions every homeowner needs to ask and the right answers you should get back from a roofing contractor. With it, you'll find a roofing contractor that does things the right way and gives you a stress-free experience. 

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roofing services to homeowners in Nashville and surrounding areas since 1990. Whether you need a roof leak repaired or a full roof replacement, you can count on us to provide an experience rare in the roofing industry.

If you’re local to Nashville, don’t hesitate to contact us for your flat roof replacement or any of your other roofing needs. 

Here’s your Checklist of 16 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor, so you’re able to make the right hiring decision.