Which Metal Roof Is Right For You
Each metal roofing type has its own set of components and accessories, which are required for the system to function properly and not leak. These accessories are similar in nature, but differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, and from one type system to another.
For example, standing seam requires the use of Z-bar flashing between the ribs, when you do a head wall flashing or a ridge cap, and on pretty much any square penetration in the roof.
Metal shingles do not need these as they are flat in nature and do not have protruding ribs. A tile system has its own flashing that follows the barrel profile of the tiles.
If you are not sure which metal roof is right for you consider these tips:
1. Most homeowners looking to install their first metal roof usually select metal shingles. Their greatest advantage is the tremendous variety of colors and styles available. Many are designed to replicate the look of cedar wood, or architectural asphalt shingles. They are also a lot more affordable compared to standing seam roofing or stone coated metal tile.
2. If you are on an extremely tight budget, but still want to the advantages of metal roof, go for a high quality corrugated metal panel system, or low-end interlocking metal shingles.
3. If you want a high-end contemporary look, standing seam panels are your best bet. They are also ideal for homeowners who are interested in installing solar panels on their roof.
Donât Miss: Cost To Install Trusses
Factors That Influence The Price
Amount
If you are looking for a way to save money on your next project, consider buying trusses in bulk. For example, it will cost less per 10 trusses than how much you would pay for only one.
Design Loads
The truss has the capacity to hold considerable weight, but there are cases when it needs to hold more than average. In this situation, the design has to be different. For instance, you may have to change the standard gable end truss to the scissor type. This would increase the costs by up to 25%.
Material
As mentioned above, you can choose from two types of materials: steel or timber. The cheapest option will always be wood.
Roof pitch
The costs will increase if the roof is steeper as there would be more boards necessary.
Spacing
The standard spacing for a roof is two feet, but in some situations, customers may ask for trusses every 16 inches in order to create their own more robust structure.
The span
The length at the bottom is known as the span, and the trusses are not all the same size. For example, if the span is 26 feet long, you would need 16-foot and 10-foot pieces of lumber to create the bottom cord, leaving no scrap behind. The price would get higher if the truss has to be customized and the scrap is left over.
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Metal Roof Installation Costs
Aside from the actual material costs, you should also consider how much you will need to budget for labor and installation. Installation costs can vary based on the following factors:
- Project complexity: Roofs with many sides and angles can create challenges and added costs.
- Average local minimum wages: Areas with higher minimum wages can expect to pay higher labor costs.
- The roofers experience: More experienced roofing professionals charge more for high-quality results.
- Replacement versus brand-new roofs: Replacing an old roof requires more work than just adding on a new one since the removal of the old roof will take time.
You should expect installation costs to add up to about 65% of your total roof costs. For example, if your material costs $5,000, the labor might cost an additional $8,000, bringing the total to $13,000.
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Resale Value Of A Metal Roof
One of the greatest long term advantages of a metal roof is that it boasts a very high return on investment. Across the US, you can get at least 90% ROI when you resell a house with a metal roof.
However, in areas with snow and ice dams, as well as fires and high winds, the ROI of a metal roof can be as high as 95-97%
Compared to asphalt shingles, a metal roof can boost your home value by as much as 5-6%. Most homeowners dont like to deal with roofing problems, and are more willing to buy home where their roof will last for decades to come without any leaks.
How Much Do Metal Roof Panels Cost
The raw materials for these metal panels range between $1 and $2.50 per square foot or between $5.50 and $11.50 when combined with installation fees. The total metal roofing cost for a 1,700-square-foot roof ranges from $9,350 to $19,500.
The cost of metal roof panels can vary depending on many factors, including the type of metal used, the size and shape of the panels, and the installation method.
Generally, metal roof panels are more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles, but they can last much longer, making them a good investment for homeowners.
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Commercial Flat Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Foot
Depending on the material, commercial flat roofs typically cost between $4 and $9 per square foot to install. Most of them are much bigger than residential roofs, with 10,000 square feet being the average. Owners of commercial buildings can expect to pay between $40,000 and $90,000 for their flat roof depending on the material type as well as the need for drains, vents, and extra underlayment.
Metal Roof Underlayment Costs
At an average cost of $0.06 to $0.21 per square foot, underlayment acts as a secondary barrier to water and wind damage for metal roofing. Different roofing professionals will likely have different underlayment options available for your roofing project. Underlay is attached with staples, roofing caps, or the back side of the product has an adhesive layer to stick it to the roof deck.
There are two types of underlayment product available synthetic and felt paper, also known as asphalt felt, tar paper, or roofing tar paper. The heavier the felt, the better.
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How Much Does It Cost To Install A Metal Roof
We are going to break down how much does it cost to install a metal roof below:
Average Cost Of Metal Roof
On average, the cost of a new metal roof can be three times as much as installing a shingle roofing system. Residential grade metal roof is well worth its hefty price tag. The cost of the materials and installation varies based upon the type of metal used, style, the profile of the metal and the company you hire to install it. Installing a metal roof system because it must be done in a highly precise manner. It requires specialized skills and equipment.
Remember this is just the average on calculating How much does it cost to install a metal roof.
Cost of Metal Panels and Other Materials
Metal panels typically start at $6.50 per square ft or $650 per square. That price point can double depending on the style and the finish the surface is covered in. A steel metal roof cost can average between $275-$400 per 100 square foot. Corrugated steel or ribbed metal panel is the cheapest of them all. In fact, this type of metal roof is cheaper than a shingle roof costing between $3.50 to $7.00 per square foot.
Copper and zinc are considered to be premium metals. Therefore, they come with a hefty price tag. A copper or zinc metal panel will run you about $14 per square foot. Of course, these base costs can increase based on the number of panels your house requires and the density of the panels you select.
How Much Does A Flat Roof Cost Per Square Foot
6th of February 2019 by Costi Serban
There are a number of factors to consider when replacing a flat roof. These would include the size of your roof, what materials you are using, the type of weather that the roof may encounter, as well as the overall cost per square foot. While all these factors are important, most of our clients consider the cost first.
Generally speaking, the cost of flat roofs are provided in a measurement unit called a square. Each square is equal to one hundred square feet. In most cases, the general cost per square of flat top roof is somewhere between $350 and $1200, which means that a square foot of a new flat top roof, fully installed, including labor can cost between $3.50 and $12.00. It should be noted that these prices are only estimates based on industry standards, and a true estimate given by a qualified professional roofer is a more accurate method of determining costs. At Mass-Tech Roofing and Building Co., we believe in honesty and being a trustworthy contractor to every homeowner who reaches out to us.
Like everything else, the quality of the material used, as well as the kind of material used will adjust the cost. And this is one area that you dont want to mess around. The brutal winters and storms that can frequent the Boston area can wreak havoc on a buildings roof, so choosing the right roofing material can mean the difference between having long lasting protection and replacing the roof in a very short time indeed.
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Average Cost Of Materials For A Metal Roof
As described above, the average cost of materials for a metal roof is around $12.00 $13.00 per square foot, but that can definitely vary based on your area, the exact type of material you choose for your metal roof, and the idiosyncrasies of your property, and other environmental factors that impact the final metal roofing quote.
Installation and labor costs also make up a major component of the cost of your new metal roof, regardless of the type of materials that you choose, so take that into consideration when you are getting started on choosing a metal roof or any kind of roof for your home.
That said, knowing the average cost of materials for a new metal roof in the United States is an important starting point!
The national average for a new metal roof is $18,500 , but of course, that varies depending on the type of roofing materials, your location, and your property.
Corrugated Metal Roof Pricing
Courtesy: Trademark Roofing
Corrugated metal roofs typically come in thin sheets that have a wavy or rippled pattern.
Theyre one of the most affordable metal roofing options, comparable to asphalt shingles in price, averaging between $3.50 and $6.50 per square foot. That puts a full installation between $10,500 and $19,500.
While all metal roofs are strong, corrugated metal roofs are especially designed to hold up in harsh weather conditions and have an increased strength-to-weight ratio. These panels may be made of steel, aluminum or copper, with prices varying depending on which metal you choose.
The downside to corrugated metal panel roofs is that theyre more vulnerable to leaks and rust.
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Diy Metal Roofing Or Hire A Contractor
While one could think that theres nothing to installing a metal roof, a lot could go wrong, which is why youll save much more in the long run if you hire a contractor who has been installing metal roofing panels and shingles for many years.
Beginners tend to get a bit overzealous when screwing in the metal screws and adding sealant, and they overlap the panels without taking wind resistance and drainage into full account. They also do a poor job installing the metal around chimneys and vents, which can mean leaks down the road.
Additionally, they might not take the proper precautions when working with cheaper underlay. FEMA recommends exposed fastener panels and making sure clips are placed close to the eave if you live in a high wind area.
What’s The Average Cost Of Metal Roofing Per Square Foot
While metal roofing is primarily measured by the square, which is one hundred square feet, we are routinely asked for metal roof prices by the square foot. Here’s what you need to know.
When shopping for a metal roof and establishing a budget, there are primarily three elements to include in your calculations – the metal material and profile accessories and underlayment and installation costs.
- Material & Profile
There are literally hundreds of types of metal roofs you could purchase. From the thinnest steel in simple panels to the heavyweight “exotic” metals like copper, zinc, stainless steel and others in shingles, diamonds, tiles and additional patterns, the prices range from cheap to very expensive. In the cheap category are simple, thin, painted steels that range between about $1 and $2 a square foot. Upgrading from there are heavier, better metals and finishes with more sophisticated profiles. This “middle quality” category usually ranges between about $2 and $6 a square foot. At the high end of metal roofing are options like copper and zinc. These premium choices usually range between about $8 and $15 a square foot. There are exceptions and caveats to every one of these price categories, but for budgeting purposes you’ll find these quite useful. Consult a knowledgeable metal roof source for help in narrowing down the many, many options.
- Accessories and Underlayment
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Biggest Price Fluctuation Factors For Metal Roofing
The prices above reflect wide average ranges. The exact cost of metal roofing for your house will vary for many different reasons, including:
- The fastening system: You can choose between exposed corrugated metal roofs and concealed standing seam roofs. Standing seam panels cost nearly twice as much as the alternative, though you may still want this option for your home for aesthetic reasons.
- Your preferred painting method: SMP paint combines silicone and polyester and offers cheaper but less durable finishes. Polyvinylidene Fluoride paint coatings are stronger, have a warranty, feature vibrant metal roof color options, and cost nearly twice as much.
- Metal thickness: You may also choose the metal gauge . The thicker the metal, the stronger it will be, and the more you will pay. Typically, the lighter end is 29 gauge, and the heavier end is 20 gauge.
- House size: The bigger your house is, the more roofing material you will need to purchase, though you shouldnt feel too concerned about price jumps in most residential settings.
- Demand factors: Like any product, metal roof cost averages change based on consumer demands. Different societal factors, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, can greatly increase metal costs.
Metal Roof Estimate Cost Per Square Foot
In a nutshell, a property owner can anticipate the final cost of metal tile roof is $7-8 per square foot . Cost of standing seam roof starts from $10-12 per square foot. But letâs not rush into conclusions: each customerâs house requires customer-specific solution. That is why the overall price depends on individual project for your house. Essentially, the price is based two pillars:
- Price of the chosen material .
- Price of the labor. The higher the difficulty of the roof, the more man-hours are needed.
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Metal Roof Vs Shingles Cost
For many homeowners looking to replace an old roof, the choice often boils down to metal vs. asphalt shingles.
In the short run, traditional shingles are a very budget-friendly option, with prices starting as low as $3 per square foot installed. These are 3-tab shingles, that look flat and last only about 10-12 years, sometimes even less.
More expensive, designer architectural shingles, last up to 15 years, and look significantly better. They run $5-7 per square foot on average, but can cost as much as $7-8 per square foot installed.
Thus you would be looking at spending anywhere from $4,500 to 10,500 for a new asphalt shingles roof on a 1,500 sq.ft. ranch style home.
To compare, the average cost for a metal roof is about 40-50% more than basic shingles. However, this roof will last at least twice as long, and will require minimal maintenance.
Upon closer examination, the math is actually in favor of installing a metal roof. This is because you can get a low-end metal shingle, which is still superior in longevity and performance to the most expensive asphalt product, for about $6.5-7 per square foot installed.
Thus, you can install a new metal roof for about $9,750-10,500 on the same 1,500 sq.ft. ranch style home.
This roof will protect your home in any weather, especially against ice dams, snow, rain, hail and fire. Many homeowners spend this much on an architectural asphalt roof, but dont get any of the benefits of metal.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Metal Roofs
There are some downsides to choosing a metal roof over other material types, including increased upfront costs. Metal is difficult to breach during an emergency, tends to contract and expand during the winter months, and requires additional insulation to block unwanted noise. Additionally, a poorly installed metal roof leaves plenty of space for water to accumulate over time.
Read Also: How Long Does A Typical Shingle Roof Last
Installing A Metal Roof Over Shingles
If you currently have an asphalt roof and need to replace it, you may have an option of installing a metal roof over shingles.
This will enable you to save money on tear-off, which can be as much as $1,200-3,000.
Its best to speak with your roofer about this, because it may not be recommended depending on your roof structure, ventilation, and other factors.
