As metal roofing’s rise in the industry continues, more and more homeowners inevitably consider it for their roof replacement. But there’s always one hang-up when investing in a metal roof system: cost.
Unfortunately, the roofing industry avoids discussing pricing because of the sticker shock it causes. But we aren’t afraid to address the cost of metal roofing like the rest of the industry.
After all, you can’t truly decide if a metal roof is right for you without knowing how much it’ll hurt your wallet.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners find the right roofing material with transparent and unbiased advice. Because of this, I’ll break down everything you need to know about metal roof pricing.
This article answers the following questions:
- How much does a metal roof cost on average?
- How much does a metal roof cost per square foot?
- How much does metal roofing cost based on metal type?
- What impacts the cost of a metal roof?
Keep in mind that all cost numbers below are for an entire metal roof replacement, including labor, materials, and other cost factors.
How much does a metal roof cost on average?
According to the Cost vs. Value Report, the national average cost for a standing seam metal roof is $47,414. Now, keep in mind that this number is a general average that doesn’t account for different metal types, home or roof size, and other factors.
However, most standing seam metal roofs installed by a reputable and experienced metal roofing company will cost at least $30,000 and will most likely be higher. Now, this is specific to a standing seam metal roof, which is the recommended choice for residential roofing.
There’s also exposed fastener metal roofing (also called screw down), which is a common option for those looking for a cheaper alternative.
How much does a metal roof cost per square foot?
Knowing the average cost of a metal roof is great, but there’s still room to be more specific. After all, every roof is different, and you need to be able to apply it to your situation.
Below is the cost for both types of metal roof systems per square foot using steel panels so you can apply it to your roof’s square footage. (To figure out your roof’s square footage, check out this article/video.)
How much does an exposed fastener metal roof cost?
An exposed fastener metal roof (also called screw down panel) is installed directly to the roof decking using screws and washers through the face of the metal. Because the fasteners are screwed directly through the panel, the metal panels can expand and contract as they go through thermal expansion.
This lack of expansion capabilities is why this metal roof system is better suited over structures that aren’t a heated living space. For labor and materials, a steel screw down panel metal roof starts around $4.50 to $6.50 per square foot.
How much does a standing seam metal roof cost?
A standing seam metal roof is a series of panels locked together at the seams with clips or seamed mechanically. Unlike an exposed fastener metal roof, this allows the panels to glide back and forth when expanding and contracting.
Because the fasteners are “hidden” under the panels, you’ll also hear it called a hidden fastener metal roof. For labor and materials, a new steel standing seam metal roof costs around $16.00 per square foot.
How much does metal roofing cost based on metal type?
So far, all the cost numbers we’ve covered have been for using steel panels. However, there are other metal types that homeowners like to use for a number of reasons.
Below are the five most commonly used metals for residential roofing and how much they cost per square foot for a standing seam metal roof.
Steel
As you probably already guessed, steel is the most common type of metal used in residential roofing. The main reason for its popularity comes down to affordability and availability compared to other metal materials.
However, the Kynar 500 painted finish and its warranty are also big draws. As I mentioned above, you can expect a steel standing seam metal roof to cost around $16.00 per square foot.
Aluminum
Aluminum is the lightest type of metal roofing material on the market, but it’s also one of the softest. This makes it more prone to hail damage, but it’s still durable.
Aluminum is extremely popular in coastal climates with heavy rainfall due to its corrosion resistance. An aluminum standing seam metal roof will cost around $18.00 per square foot.
Copper
Copper is incredibly popular for its high curb appeal and is one of the most recognizable metals in the world thanks to its distinct color and the greenish patina it develops as it ages. While high curb appeal is a big benefit, copper’s main selling point is that it’s a lifetime material.
Copper is also frequently used for flashing, gutters, chimney caps, bay windows, cupolas, and more to accent other roofing materials. A copper standing seam metal roof will cost $30.00 or more per square foot.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a premium metal roofing material that’s popular because of its strength and durability. On top of being long-lasting, stainless steel roofing has chromium quantities that give it great corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel is also a lifetime roofing material, like copper. A stainless steel standing seam metal roof will cost around $25.00 per square foot.
Zinc
Zinc metal roofing is similar to copper with its high curb appeal and patina qualities as it ages. But unlike copper, the patina is actually a protective layer that resists corrosion and has self-healing properties.
Like copper and stainless steel, zinc metal roofing is a lifetime material. A zinc standing seam metal roof costs around $20.00 per square foot.
What impacts the cost of a metal roof?
At this point, you now know how much a metal roof costs. You also know that the cost depends on the type of metal roof system and specific metal type.
However, many more factors directly impact the price of a new metal roof. Below are the main things a roofing contractor considers when estimating the cost of a metal roof.
Metal roof system components
The metal panels make up the bulk of a metal roof system, but there’s more beneath the surface. And just like the metal panels impact the cost, so do the rest of the components.
Below are the main components you’ll pay for when getting a new metal roof:
- Roof decking: The wooden boards that make up the framing of a roof.
- Starter lock strip: Lock strips hold (lock) the standing seam metal panels to the edges and prevent them from lifting during strong storms.
- Underlayment: Underlayment is a felt or synthetic material installed over roof decking to provide additional protection. High heat ice and water shield is recommended for a standing seam metal roof.
- Clips: Fasteners that hold each metal panel to the roof deck.
- Z bar: A piece of flashing 1/8th of an inch taller than the ribs that’s bent in the shape of a Z.
- Ridge capping: The trim installed at the peak where two slopes of a roof meet.
Gauge of metal
The gauge of metal (ounces for copper) is simply the thickness of the panels. The lower the gauge, the thicker the panels are.
Because of this, your metal roof panels will increase in price the lower you go on the gauge scale (between 22 and 29).
Labor and time
Labor and time costs impact everything that goes into your metal roof’s installation. If anything takes time and labor, it impacts the final cost.
There’s no set price for labor and time because it varies by roofing contractor. However, the manpower, time, and skill it takes to install a metal roof are huge reasons for its high price.
Roof size
The most obvious metal roof cost factor is your roof's size and square footage. Your roof’s square footage affects the amount of materials used, labor, and time needed to complete the job.
I use square footage because it’s what homeowners are familiar with, but you’ll also hear “price per roofing square”. A roofing square is simply a roofing industry term for a 10x10 area that’s equal to 100 square feet of roof surface.
Roof pitch and complexity
Roof pitch is the slope (angle) of your roof, which can go from flat to almost completely vertical. The steeper the roof pitch, the more a metal roof costs to install.
Roof pitch is important enough to mention on its own, but it’s also part of roof complexity. Complexity is how your roof is cut up with different facets, hips, valleys, and stories off the ground.
Just like steepness, the cost of a metal roof increases the more complex the roof is. This is simply because a roof with a high number of facets at multiple angles, hips, valleys, and two or more stories off the ground is more difficult and takes a lot longer to roof than a ranch-style home’s roof.
Number of penetrations
A roof penetration is anything that comes through your roof, like plumbing vents, gas vents, kitchen/bathroom vents, skylights, and chimneys. The more penetrations your roof has, the more it impacts the cost.
Smaller pipes or vents don’t have a big impact, but skylights and chimneys can be costly because they take longer to flash and work around.
Tear-off and dump fees
Tearing off and disposing of your old roof before installing your new metal roof has a big impact on the cost. And if your roof has more than one layer, it increases cost even more.
This is due to labor and the fact that dumpsites charge significant fees that are always going up. You’ll be charged an initial labor and dump fee for the first layer plus an added cost for each additional layer.
Is metal roofing worth the investment?
After reading this article, you now know how much a metal roof costs and what impacts the pricing. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably had sticker shock.
This is completely understandable. The unfortunate truth is that most people won’t have the budget for a metal roof.
But for those that do, it’s a matter of deciding if it’s worth the high price. After all, you need to know what you’ll get from such a large investment.
Check out Is a Metal Roof a Good Investment to learn if metal roofing is worth the high cost.
