How Much Does a Standing Seam Metal Roof Cost? (2025 Update)

Interested in standing seam metal roofing for your upcoming roof replacement? Is your biggest concern how much a standing seam metal roof costs?

Standing seam metal roofing popularity is at an all-time high, with no signs of slowing down. However, there's one thing that holds homeowners back: cost. 

Unfortunately, the roofing industry avoids discussing cost-related topics, especially the more expensive materials. But how are you expected to make a decision without having any idea of pricing?

For over 35 years, Bill Ragan has provided homeowners with all the information they need to make the right roofing material decision for their situation and budget. So, let's break down everything you need to know about how much a standing seam metal roof costs. 

This article covers the following topics:

• How much does a standing seam metal roof cost?
• How much does a standing seam metal roof cost per square foot?
• What factors affect the cost of a standing seam metal roof?

How much does a standing seam metal roof cost?

According to the Cost vs. Value Report, the national average cost for a standing seam metal roof is $51,865 in 2025. This price includes installing 3,000 square feet of prefinished, steel standing-seam metal roofing, including drip edge, gable trim, and vented ridge flashing on a rectangular hip roof with two average-size skylights.

(Steel standing seam metal roof)

Keep in mind that this number is a general average that doesn’t account for area-specific pricing, home or roof size, and other factors. However, most steel standing seam metal roofs installed by a reputable and experienced metal roofing company will cost at least $30,000 in 2025. 

So, don't be surprised if you get a metal roof estimate that's closer to the $50,000 average. Unfortunately, metal roofing prices are expected to increase further in 2025 with more expected price increases in 2026.

How much does a standing seam metal roof cost per square foot?

It's hard to use a general or average price to learn how much it would cost to install a standing seam metal roof on your home. On top of this, the metal type plays a huge role in the final cost. 

So, let's look at the 2025 cost per square foot for a full standing seam metal roof with the five most commonly used metals in residential roofing. 

Using the table above, you can apply the cost number to your roof's square footage for a more accurate estimate. To figure out your roof’s square footage, check out this article/video.

What factors affect the cost of a standing seam metal roof?

At this point, you have an idea of how much a metal roof costs in 2025. While the metal type and roofer you hire play a huge role, there are many more factors that 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.

Labor costs

Labor costs are factored into every line item on a metal roof estimate. So, if anything takes time and labor, it will have an associated labor cost. 

The manpower, time, and unique skillset it takes to install a metal roof are huge reasons for its high price. However, there’s no set price for labor and time because it varies by roofing contractor.

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.

Metal roof system components

The metal panels make up the bulk of a standing seam metal roof system, but there’s more beneath the surface. So, the rest of the components factor into a standing seam metal roof's cost. 

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, standing seam metal panels increase in price the lower you go on the gauge scale (between 22 and 29). 

Roof size 

The most obvious thing that affects a standing seam metal roof's cost is the roof's size, either measured in squares or square footage. Your roof’s square footage affects the amount of materials used, labor, and time needed to complete the job. 

I say square footage because it’s what homeowners are familiar with. However, you’ll also hear a roofing contractor say “price per roofing square” (100 square feet).

Roof pitch 

Roof pitch is your roof's slope (angle), which can go from flat to almost completely vertical. The steeper the roof pitch, the more it increases labor costs for a standing seam metal roof installation due to moving slower and safely.

Pitch will always play a huge role in pricing, especially labor costs. However, steep pitches can also create more square footage, which also increase material prices. 

Roof complexity

Complexity is how your roof is cut up with different facets, hips, valleys, and stories off the ground. Your roof’s complexity has a huge impact on the cost based on how it’s cut up with different facets, hips, valleys, and stories off the ground.

Just like with pitch, 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. 

For metal roofing, penetrations can cause plenty of headaches to work around. Smaller pipes or vents will have a greater impact the more there are, but skylights and chimneys will always be costly. 

Is a standing seam metal roof right for you?

After reading this article, you now know how much a standing seam metal roof costs on average, the cost per square foot based on metal type, and what impacts the pricing. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably had sticker shock. 

This is completely understandable. In fact, the cost is a huge con of a standing seam metal roof. 

So, the budget required may push you away. However, you can truly decide if it's the right roofing material for you without knowing all the other pros and cons.

That's why I wrote another article breaking all the positives and negatives of getting a standing seam metal roof. 

Check out The Pros and Cons of a Standing Seam Metal Roof to learn if it's the right roofing material for your upcoming roof replacement.