A new metal roof ranges from about $8,500 to $39,100. This estimate is based on the average national roof size of 1,700 square feet.
The two main factors that affect the cost of a metal roof are the roof size and the type of metal you choose. Roofs made from cheaper metals, such as aluminum or steel, are similar in cost to asphalt shingles and fall on the lower end of the range, averaging $4–$16 per square foot, including installation. Luxurious metals, such as copper, command a higher price and can cost as much as $30 per square foot.
Other cost considerations include your roof’s pitch and architectural elements or utilities that may make roof demo and installation more difficult. Prices also vary by region.
In this article, I’ll break down costs based on data gathered and my experience as a roofing contractor. I’ll also discuss the different types and materials used to create metal roofs and how that affects the costs.
If you already know you want to replace your old roof with a new metal roof, consider getting a quote today from one of my recommended roofing companies.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Key Takeaways
- Metal roofs can be similar in price to traditional asphalt shingle roofs. However, roofs from more expensive materials, such as copper, can be significantly more expensive.
- The biggest factors in the price of your metal roof will be the type of metal you choose and the size of your roof.
- Installing a metal roof is not a DIY job. Fortunately, most roofers will install metal roofs.
Average Costs of Metal Roofs
I’ve installed many metal roofs in my career, and they’re a great option for most homeowners. They’re easy to install and rugged, and I’ve never heard a client regret choosing metal. However, like any other roof type, prices vary based on several factors, including roof size, type of metal, difficulty of installation, and regional labor rates.
Here’s a brief overview of the cost of a metal roof, including materials and installation:
| Range of Metal Roofs | Cost Range of Metal Roofs* |
| Low | $8,500–$14,000 |
| Medium | $15,000–$21,000 |
| High | $22,000–$39,100 |
Metal Roof Costs by Size
The square footage of a roof is the single biggest factor in cost. Larger roofs require more material and, thus, more labor, which means higher bills. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid this. Roofing is manual labor, and hands can only move so fast.
In the table below, I break down the range of roof costs based on roof square footage. These numbers aren’t ironclad, as other (more difficult to quantify) factors can play a role. Roofs with steep pitches or numerous hips and valleys can contribute to higher costs, meaning a small roof can be expensive if it has those characteristics.
Even then, the ranges in this chart are still wide and are mostly attributed to the material cost range. The difference between tin and copper is large, so for the larger numbers, remember they’re for high-quality, luxury material. Most homeowners will pay within the low and midrange categories, even for a nice roof. Keep in mind that a standard-size roof in the United States is about 1,700 square feet.
| Roof Square Feet | Low Range* | Middle Range* | High Range* |
| 1,000 | $4,180–$7,524 | $10,939–$16,830 | $18,975–$25,300 |
| 1,200 | $4,940–$8,892 | $12,928–$19,890 | $22,425–$29,900 |
| 1,500 | $6,460–$11,628 | $16,906–$26,010 | $29,325–$39,100 |
| 1,750 | $7,220–$12,996 | $18,895–$29,070 | $32,775–$43,700 |
| 2,000 | $8,740–$15,732 | $22,873–$35,190 | $39,675–$52,900 |
| 2,750 | $11,780–$21,204 | $30,829–$47,430 | $53,475–$71,300 |
| 3,500 | $14,820–$26,676 | $38,785–$59,670 | $67,275–$89,700 |
| 4,500 | $19,000–$34,200 | $49,725–$76,500 | $86,250–$115,000 |
Metal Roof Costs by Type
The metal roofing material you choose greatly affects how much you’ll pay. The chart below illustrates the relative differences in cost:
| Metal Type | Avg. Material and Installation Cost per Roofing Square (100 sq. ft.) | Avg. Total Cost* |
| Tin | $380–$1,400 | $6,460–$23,800 |
| Aluminum | $390–$975 | $6,630–$16,575 |
| Steel | $560–$1,570 | $9,520–$26,690 |
| Zinc | $580–$1,100 | $9,860–$18,700 |
| Stainless steel | $800–$1,700 | $13,600–$28,900 |
| Copper | $1,610–$3,000 | $27,370–$51,000 |
*Based on the national average 1,700-square-foot roof
Tin
Tin metal roofs are made of a base metal plated with tin. Historically, the base metal has been iron, but today, it’s most often aluminum. The benefit of tin is that it’s cheap. The drawback is that it doesn’t perform as well as other metals without regular, thorough maintenance; it tends to rust, corrode, and otherwise degrade under the elements.
I wouldn’t suggest tin for any roofing application. If you’re tight on money, aluminum is a far better choice, much more available, and just as cheap. If you currently have tin, I suggest a roof replacement sooner rather than later. Upgrading to something more lasting and durable will benefit you in the long run. If you can find it, tin is $380–$900 per square.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a flexible and malleable metal that manufacturers can shape into various forms. It’s also naturally resistant to rust and corrosion — add a layer of paint to it, and you have a long-lasting material.
Because aluminum is so widely used across many industries, it’s readily available and cheap — in most cases, it’s affordable at $390–$975 per square.
Style-wise, aluminum is a chameleon that can be whatever you want. It can mimic tile or wood shakes or be made in a standing seam or shingle style. I don’t see it used as often as steel, which I think is due to a lack of awareness more so than other metals being better.
Steel
Steel roofing is a staple of metal roofing. Most metal roofs I’ve seen are made of steel — and for good reason. Steel is a strong, flexible material that resists most impacts. It’s readily available and takes paint and other metal roof coatings well. Properly cared for, a steel roof can outlast an asphalt shingle roof. At $560–$1,557 per square, it’s a long-lasting, economical choice.
Steel is available in most metal roof styles, including standing seam metal roofs and shingles. Corrugated steel is also available. Each style has further sub-styles, so homeowners have a wealth of choices.
Zinc
Zinc is a sadly underutilized metal. Along with copper, it’s one of the longest-lasting roofing metals. With proper care, it can have a lifespan of nearly a century, perhaps longer, depending on conditions. It also gains a patina over time that some people find attractive.
The only downside to zinc is that it suffers from a similar problem as stainless steel in that it’s a bare metal. While a zinc roof has a distinctive look, it’s still gray metal and not what every homeowner wants for their house. If you don’t mind that look, though, it’s a great roofing material that’s not too expensive at $380–$1,400 per square and will likely last as long as you own your house.
Stainless Steel
Although not as common, stainless steel is a metal roof option. Its biggest drawback is that it’s often unpainted, so this isn’t the best option unless you want a shiny gray roof.
Steel being stainless is an attractive quality, but painting standard steel achieves the same effect. You can expect stainless steel to cost you $800–$1,700 per square.
Copper
Copper is a high-end roofing material with many fantastic qualities. It’s aesthetically attractive when it’s new and gains attractiveness with age. Many homeowners love the copper patina look, and I can’t argue with them. The long history of copper used in wealthy homes gives it a luxurious and stately air.
Looks aside, copper is malleable, strong, and has a long lifespan unsurpassed by any other roofing metal. It’s not uncommon for a copper roof to last a century or more. That’s not a guarantee, but it does illustrate its capacity for longevity. At $1,610–$3,000 per square, it’s not for every home or budget, but for the right application, there’s no better choice.
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Which Factors Impact How Much a Metal Roof Costs?
Factors such as the size and shape of the roof, metal type, and material style all affect the final price of a new roof. Some of these can be lowered by various strategies, and some cannot.
The best thing you can do is be conscious of the options available and choose the most appropriate one for your budget. Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean worse quality, so it’s important to ask questions and do your research.
Though it’s impossible for all homeowners, talking to someone with the particular roof you’re considering is the best way to get information and opinions. Another homeowner can provide invaluable, honest feedback.
Roof Size
Roof size is the biggest factor in the cost of a roof. More material equals more labor, which means a higher bill for the homeowner. That’s not to say roofing a smaller house is always cheap. Because of the various options for roofing material and a roof’s complexities, a small home can have an expensive roof, too.
However, for the average home in a common style, you should find a metal roof roughly approximate to asphalt shingles. For an average-sized, common-style home, you can expect a bill between $12,000 and $18,000.
Metal Type
The type of metal used for the roof material also plays a sizable role in costs. High-end metals like copper are substantially more expensive than economical metals like aluminum. The choice here is partly an aesthetic one, but you should consider longevity differences as well.
Metals like steel don’t last as long as lead-coated copper. If you calculate that longevity into the upfront cost, you might find the more expensive metal will save you over the long term. Roofs are a recurring expense, so considering how often those expenses occur is important to the long-term cost considerations of owning a home.
Metal Style
Among the minor cost factors is style. Some metal roofing systems, such as standing seam or corrugated metal panels, are simpler and easier to install, which means lower costs. Other systems, including steel shingles, are more complicated and time-consuming. Because of the more complex manufacturing and installation involved, you can expect to pay noticeably more for them.
Roof Shape
Roofs with steep pitches or complex geometry contribute to the labor needed to install a roof, so you can expect complex roofs to have a higher average cost. This isn’t strictly confined to metal roofing; any roofing material will cost more.
Another factor is waste. While metal has numerous advantages, it’s still susceptible to the wastage that asphalt shingles or shakes are susceptible to. You can expect about 20% waste on a complex roof, which means needing 20% more square feet of material than the roof.
Region
Material and labor costs vary according to region and the associated cost of living. Everything, including roofing, is generally more expensive in densely populated areas and cities, so it’s important to remember that when shopping around.
That said, the market nationwide for construction labor is relatively narrow. Labor in populated regions will cost more, but it shouldn’t cost substantially more.
Utilities and Architectural Elements
An often overlooked cost is everything that can be on a roof and the labor required to waterproof and work around it. Things like chimneys and utility vents all require the roofing material to be cut and fashioned around them, as well as flashed. Dormers and copulas need to be flashed and shingled. Solar panels need to be removed and, when the roofing is done, reinstalled. Then, you may want to consider installing gutters and gutter guards that are good for metal roofs.
Standard elements like sewer and attic vents (or even a chimney) won’t contribute to a higher cost. Still, if you have numerous different vents, equipment, and architectural elements, the contractor will adjust the labor cost accordingly.
What Are the Benefits of Investing in a Metal Roof?
Metal is a great roof material. In many cases, it lasts as long as asphalt shingles; in some cases, it lasts longer. Metal resists punctures and arguably performs better under snow and ice than other roof types. When appropriate paint is used, metal roofs also reflect ultraviolet rays.
In my experience roofing and following up with clients, homeowners like metal roofs. I’ve never heard a homeowner regret their decision. They’re low maintenance and generally cause fewer problems than asphalt shingle roofs. They also look nice and provide a different character to a house.
Metal roofs can also be environmentally friendly. Some manufacturers make metal roofing out of recycled material, and you can also recycle your old roof when you get a new one. Metal is also great for creating cool roofs, which increase the energy efficiency of a house by employing different strategies to reflect sunlight and reduce the energy necessary to cool the home.
Read also: Spring Maintenance for Your Metal Roof
Professional Vs. DIY Metal Roof Cost
Metal roofs are best left to roofing professionals. Some metal roofing materials (like standing seam) can be unwieldy and require multiple people to handle them without denting or deforming them, and some systems require specialist knowledge.
As I’m keen to point out, safety is another big factor. Wrangling potentially large metal roofing panels on a pitched roof carries many risks, especially in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Metal is also slick, so the risk of falling or sliding off the roof increases. Scaffolding, harnesses, and man lifts are all incredibly helpful and reduce risks, and though they’re available to professionals, they’re usually unavailable or impractical for a homeowner. To add to all of that, tasks such as cutting metal roofing can involve operating potentially hazardous power tools.
Installing a Metal Roof Yourself
While I recommend hiring a professional roofing contractor, I’ll give you a brief overview of how to do a metal roof. Even if you don’t do it yourself, it’s good to understand how the roofers install your roof. For simplicity, this description will be for standing seam metal roofs, one of the more common types.
The first step is getting the correct permits. The cost of the permits, the process of getting them, and what they require of the roofing installation will vary according to location. Building codes are handled at the municipal and county levels in most cases, so those should be your first places to check. Don’t overlook this step. Failure to comply with building codes and permits can lead to being legally required to stop work, undo work, or pay fines.
Once that’s taken care of, the roofing can begin. It’s best to get metal roofs cut to order to avoid having to cut sheets yourself. After that, the process is as follows: underlayment and ice and shield, closure strips along the lower eaves, lay and affix the metal sheets, then install trim and ridge cap.
The important thing is to get the sheets square to the roof, which you can do by using the ridge and lower edge of the roof as references. A chalk box is great here, as you can snap reference lines to keep you square.
Hiring a Professional for a Metal Roof
You can find a roofing company to do your metal roof as you would with an asphalt roof. In fact, many roofing companies do both:
- Find local experts near you: Recommendations from friends and family who’ve had work done is a great place to start. The Internet is also fantastic for reading reviews and recommendations.
- Get a quote from a few options: Ensure you get a fair price by shopping around and soliciting quotes from multiple companies. Almost all roofing companies do free estimates, so it doesn’t cost you anything to contact multiple companies.
- Consult them about their recommendations: If you have any questions, let them know. Otherwise, the roofing contractor will give you their assessment of costs, timelines, and recommendations they have for your choice of roof.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
So, Is a Metal Roof Worth the Cost?
Metal roofs are definitely worth it, if you can swing it. Not many disadvantages are associated with metal roofs, and they perform as well as any other roof (better in some capacities). Because of the wide range of metal roofing prices, there’s something out there for everyone, no matter their budget. They’re an overall great choice of roof that can increase home value by boosting resale value and energy efficiency.
FAQs About Metal Roofs
Asphalt shingles tend to be slightly less expensive than metal roofs. The average price for asphalt shingles ranges from about $5.50 to $7 per square foot, including material and installation. The average material and installation for steel roofs (the most common type of metal roof) is $5.60 to $15.70 per square foot. Cheaper types of metal, such as tin and aluminum, more closely align with the price of asphalt shingles, with costs ranging from $3.80 to $14 per square foot.
Since roofs are recurring costs, you should also consider a material’s longevity. Metal roofs can last as long as 50 years, while asphalt shingles have shorter lifespans of about 15 to 30 years.
Since metal is a lightweight material, you can put it over asphalt shingles as long as the shingles are in good condition with no significant peeling or rips. However, if your roof already has two or more layers of shingles, avoid placing metal overtop. The excess weight could cause structural damage.
While leaving shingles in place is a cost-saving measure, doing so improperly could lead to costly damages. Wood rot may occur if moisture becomes trapped between the roofing layers or underneath the shingles. If in doubt, contact a roofing professional for expert advice.
Tin and aluminum are the cheapest types of metal roofs, with prices ranging from $3.80 to $14 per square foot, including material and installation. Of the two, aluminum is the better choice. Aluminum metal roofs are rust and corrosion-resistant and can be painted to match your home’s design. Tin roofs, while cheap, tend to rust and degrade under the elements quicker than other types of metal roofs.
Metal is one of the most popular roof types, making it easy to find a roofer to install it. Many roofers who install asphalt shingles also install standing seam and corrugated sheet metal roofs.
On the other hand, metal shingles are less common than sheet metal roofs and may require specialized installation, making it a little more difficult to find a roofing contractor.
