A metal roof is long-lasting and more durable than traditional options such as asphalt shingles. However, that makes it a more expensive option. But how much does metal roofing cost per square foot?
The average cost of a metal roof per square foot is $8 - $15. However, many factors determine the actual valuation. For instance, the style, size, and material are critical aspects to consider.
Are you wondering how much it will cost to install a metal roof in your home? You are in the right place. This article gives you specific answers. Read on to learn how much it will cost to install different metal roofs to fit your home size.
How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost?
One of the most frequent questions we get is, “What is the average cost of a metal roof?” In brief, you should expect to pay between $9,000 and $45,000. But as we said, there is a lot to consider. We discuss that below.
Average Cost of Metal Roof by Type
Metal roofs come in two categories: Standing Seam and Exposed Fastener. As the name suggests, the latter has visible fasteners. Contrastingly, standing seam roofs have concealed fasteners.
Standing seam systems have many advantages over their counterparts. For one, concealing the screws makes the roof more watertight. It also requires less maintenance and is more visually appealing.
However, standing seam metal roofs are more challenging to install. Consequently, they require specialized skills, thus leading to high labor costs. The following table compares the cost of both options.
| Metal Roof Profile Types | Metal Roofing Total Installed Cost Per Sq Ft |
|---|---|
| Standing Seam Panel | $10-$15 per sq ft |
| Exposed Fastener Panel | $8-$12 per sq ft |
Average Cost of Metal Roof by Size
The cost of buying and installing a metal roof also varies depending on the size of your roof.
Your home will need many sheets to cover the entire roof if you have a sizable house, for example. The more the materials, the higher the cost.
The installation process will also take longer with a sizable roof. That means the contractors will charge you more for the labor, further driving up the total costs.
The following table shows the average cost of installing metal roofs for different roof sizes.
| Size (sq ft) | Size (square) | Metal Roofing Cost with Installation |
|---|---|---|
| 900 | 9 | $9,000-$13,500 |
| 1,000 | 10 | $10,000-$15,000 |
| 1,200 | 12 | $12,000-$18,000 |
| 1,300 | 13 | $13,000-$19,500 |
| 1,400 | 14 | $14,000-$21,000 |
| 1,500 | 15 | $15,000-$22,500 |
| 1,600 | 16 | $16,000-$24,000 |
| 1,700 | 17 | $17,000-$25,500 |
| 1,800 | 18 | $18,000-$27,000 |
| 1,900 | 19 | $19,000-$28,500 |
| 2,000 | 20 | $20,000-$30,000 |
| 2,500 | 25 | $25,000-$37,500 |
| 3,000 | 30 | $30,000-$45,000 |
The data is based on the Standing Seam Steel panel.
Look at the cost corresponding to your specific roof size. If you don’t have the measurements on hand, take time to learn how to estimate the size of yokur roof.
The Cost of Buying Materials
The price of metal roofing per square foot will depend on the type of materials and size. Steel metal is the most common metal roofing material. It will cost you $4 to $5.5 to buy a square foot sheet.
Durable options such as copper and zinc can last as long as 100 years. However, they are the most expensive. For instance, a copper panel costs $12 to $15 per square foot.
Aluminum metal roofing is the best option if you live near a coastline, owing to its high corrosion resistance. You will need to cough up $5 to $8.5 per square foot should you choose this route.
The thickness of the panels (expressed in gauge) also affects the cost. Naturally, thicker materials will fetch higher prices. For instance, a 29 gauge corrugated metal panel will cost less than a 24 gauge option.
The following table shows the roofing cost per square foot for different metals.
| Metal Roofing | Materials Cost Per Square Foot | Materials Cost Per Square (100 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $5-$8.5 | $500-$850 |
| Galvalume Steel | $4-$5.5 | $400-$550 |
| Copper | $12-$24 | $1200-$2,400 |
| Tin | $6.5-$14 | $650-$1,400 |
| Zinc | $6.5-$12 | $650-$1,200 |
Metal roofs are some of the most challenging to install. In particular, standing seam metal roofs require specialized skills during installation. For instance, some panels may require mechanical seaming.Metal Roofing Installation Cost
Also, customization may necessitate on-site roll-forming. Consequently, the metal roofing installation cost is usually high.
So, how much does it cost to install a metal roof? The answer will vary depending on various factors. However, the average labor cost per square foot to install metal roofing is $2.30 to $5.80.
The following table shows the installation cost of metal roof per sq. ft.
| Metal Roofing | Installation Cost per Square |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $500-$1,000 |
| Galvalume Steel (Most Common) | $500-$1,200 |
| Copper | $800-$1,200 |
| Tin | $500-$1,200 |
| Zinc | $800-$1,200 |
Also, it is imperative to note that roofing labor cost per square varies depending on other factors such as location and the contractor.One may be tempted to install the roof themselves to avoid the cost. But it would be better to hire an experienced installer. Otherwise, mistakes can be costly to repair.
Metal Roof Replacement Costs
Is your roof failing? Replacing a metal roof will cost slightly more than installing a new one. That’s because you have to factor in the cost of removing the existing structure.
On average, tearing down the old roof will cost you $1000 to $2000 more, depending on the type of the existing roof.
In most states, you may also need to pay to dispose of the waste. It can cost you between $0.5 and $1 per sq. ft.
The following table shows how much it costs to replace different types of metal roofs.
| Metal Roofing | Total Cost per Square |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $1,000-$1,850 |
| Galvalume Steel | $900-$1,750 |
| Copper | $2,000-$3,600 |
| Tin | $1,150-$2,600 |
| Zinc | $1,250-$2,400 |
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Roof on a 2,200 Square Foot House?
Estimating the cost of replacing your roof is easy if you can answer the question “How much does a metal roof cost per square foot?” first.
As you will remember, a standing seam metal roof will cost $10-$15 per sq. ft. On the other hand, an exposed fastener roof will cost $8-$12 per sq. ft.
You can calculate the average cost by multiplying the price per square foot by the total area of your roof. The following table compares the average cost of both options.
| Metal Roof Panel Types | Total Cost for 2,200 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Standing Seam Panel | $22,000-$33,000 |
| Exposed Fastener Panel | $17,600-$26,400 |
The table below shows metal roof replacement costs for different types of materials.Apart from the style, the type of material will also influence the cost. For instance, copper and zinc will cost more than conventional options.
| Metal Roofing Materials | Total Cost for 2,200 sq ft (22 squares) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $22,000-$40,700 |
| Galvalume Steel | $19,800-$21,000 |
| Copper | $44,000-$79,200 |
| Tin | $25,300-$57,200 |
| Zinc | $27,500-$52,800 |
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Roof on a 3000 Square Foot House?
The cost of replacing a 3,000 square foot house will be higher than 2,200 sq. ft. Nevertheless, you will use the same method to calculate.
The following table compares the cost of replacing a 3000 square feet standing seam roof and an exposed fastener system of similar size.
| Metal Roof Panel Types | Total Cost for 3,000 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Standing Seam Panel | $30,000-$45,000 |
| Exposed Fastener Panel | $24,000-$36,000 |
You can consult the table below to compare the cost of different materials.The cost of buying and installing the roof will also depend on the materials. Steel is the most popular and cheapest option. Zinc and copper are on the opposite end of the spectrum.
| Metal Roofing Materials | Total Cost for 3,000 sq ft (30 squares) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $30,000-$55,500 |
| Galvalume Steel | $27,000-$52,500 |
| Copper | $60,000-$108,000 |
| Tin | $34,500-$78,000 |
| Zinc | $37,500-$72,000 |
Average Cost of Metal Roof on 1,600 Square Foot Homes
Remember, you should also factor in the cost of tearing down the old structure and the disposal fees.
You can also calculate how much you will pay for a metal roof by multiplying the cost per square foot by the total area.
It will cost you between $16,000 and 19,200 to install a metal roof in your home. However, the actual cost will depend on the roofing style and material.
The following table compares the cost of standing seam and exposed fastener metal roofs.
| Metal Roof Types | Total Cost for 1,600 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Standing Seam Panel | $16,000-$24,000 |
| Exposed Fastener Panel | $12,800-$19,200 |
Consult the table below to compare the cost of installing different metal roofs.Again, the cost will differ depending on the material you choose. For instance, a steel roof can cost as low as $14,400, while you may have to pay as high as $57,600 for a copper alternative.
| Metal Roofing Materials | Total Cost for 1,600 sq ft (16 squares) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $16,000-$29,600 |
| Galvalume Steel | $14,400-$28,000 |
| Copper | $32,000-$57,600 |
| Tin | $18,400-$41,600 |
| Zinc | $23,200-$38,400 |
Conclusion
Metal roofs are more durable and long-lasting than options such as asphalt shingles. However, they often cost more to buy and install.
Are you considering a metal roof? We hope you now know how big a budget you should expect. Remember, never compromise on quality by buying low-quality materials or hiring inexperienced installers.