How Much To Put Metal Roof On House

How Much Does A Metal Roof Cost

That all depends on the type of roofing materials that you choose and the style of property, along with any other individual details that may make installing a metal roof more or less complicated.

The cost of metal roofing per sq. ft. or the metal roof cost per square or the cost of a metal roof vs. shingles obviously makes a difference, but there are other factors including the aesthetics of your property, the amount of time you plan to spend there before you resell , and the energy efficiency of having a metal roof versus asphalt or wooden shingles.

You should also keep in mind that the total cost of a standing seam metal roof or a metal shingle roof also includes the specialized labor required to install the metal roof as well as the raw materials, and this may be the reason why some homeowners choose shingles over metal roofing.

For some properties, the style of the home and the climate of the area it is located in may mean that asphalt shingles or wood shingles are a superior choice.

That said if you choose metal roofing systems of any kind whether you go with standing seam, copper shingles, zinc shingles, steel shingles, aluminum roofing, or any other kind of metal roofing system, you will likely benefit from their durability and longevity, heating and cooling efficiency, resale value for both the metal roofing materials themselves and your property as a whole, and overall pleasing visual appearance.

Cost To Install Plywood Sheathing Or Replace Roof Decking

The average cost to replace roof decking in a 2,400 square foot home is between $1,050 and $1,575. It will take approximately 75 sheets of plywood sheathing at an average cost of $14 to $21 per sheet. A smaller 1,100 square foot home will only need around 34 sheets for an average price of $600. For roof sheathing, plywood typically comes in sheets of 4 by 8 that measure either 11/32 or 3/8 thick.

Cost to Replace Roof Decking

Cost Of Snap Lock Vs Mechanical Lock Metal Panels

The difference between snap lock and mechanical lock panels lies in how the individual panels connect to each other

Snap lock panels have fasteners directly attached to them. The panel itself and the fastener are all one piece. Panels simply snap together without any seaming or specialized tools. Snap lock panels are only an option for roofs with a pitch of 3:12 and up.

Cost of snap lock panels: The panels themselves might cost more than mechanical lock panels, but youll spend less on labor costs because snap lock panels are so much easier and quicker to install.

Mechanical lock panels, aka field-locked panels, take more work and expertise to install. Pros have to use a specialized tool to crimp and seal the edges of panels together. There are single-locked and double-locked versions. Both tend to withstand high-speed winds better than snap lock panels.

Cost of mechanical lock panels: Double-locked panels take longer to install, so they will cost you more than single-locked options. For either, expect higher labor costs and lower material costs than with snap lock panels.

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Cost Of Roof Repairs And Maintenance

Metal roofs are low-maintenance, but that doesnt mean you can leave them alone for 50 years and expect them to stay in good shape. They do need some occasional maintenance and rare though they may be roof repairs.

Possible repair and maintenance needs for standing seam metal roofs:

• Oil canning: Caused by mistakes in the installation or manufacturing process, oil canning gives metal panels a wavy appearance. Dont worry too much about oil canning, as it doesnt affect the function of your roof. The annoying thing about oil canning is that theres no way to fix it once the panels are installed. The wavy appearance might go away after the metal has a few years to settle, or it might not. Oil canning is less visible in roofs with light colors and low-gloss finishes.

• Leaks: Metal roofs dont spring leaks often, but loosening seams or panels can sometimes cause leaks. Repairs could range from sealing two panels back together to replacing a whole panel if its faulty or warped. Replacing an entire panel will cost a few hundred dollars because you have to pay for the material and labor.

• Cleaning: If you want your metal roof to last as long as it possibly can, have it professionally cleaned at least every few years. Metal roof cleaning usually involves a high-pressure wash, which costs about $0.20 to $0.70 per square foot.

Pros of standing seam metal roofing:

Cons of standing seam metal roofing:

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.

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Concealed Vs Exposed Fastener Metal Roof

Did you know? Corrugated panels are an exposed fastener metal roofing system. This means that screws are used to penetrate the face of the panel and attach it to the roof deck, leaving the heads of the screws exposed to the environment.

In addition to the fact that these exposed fasteners dont look particularly attractive, they also make your roof susceptible to leaks. Thats right, this particular metal roof can leak, because due to thermal expansion and contraction of the panels the screws get loose over time, and water can seep through.

They are also susceptible to rust and corrosion. To combat this problem, you will need to periodically replace the old screws and dried up rubber washers with new ones that can be tight once again.

Many homeowners mistakenly think that corrugated metal panels are just a more budget friendly version of standing seam, because they look a little similar. Nothing can be further from the truth!

R-panels dont provide the same durability, longevity or energy efficiency as true standing seam metal. They last only about 20 years, because they are made from a lower grade G60 galvanized steel. This is not much longer than the service life of regular asphalt shingles. Ultimately, you get what you pay for, so you need to decide which product best suits your needs and wallet.

What Metal Roof Is The Best

Another thing would be the environmental and weather conditions in the area that you wish to install the metal roof in. Coastal areas have a large amount of salt in the surrounding air, making corrosion a huge problem unless you want to go the aluminum or stainless steel route. The presence of extreme weather such as hailstorms or hurricanes can also be a factor, as softer metals dont fare well in these environments. If you wish to choose which metal is best, take stock of all the available factors so you can make an informed decision.

In general, the best and safest all around metal roofing choice, is standing seam panels. They are also ideal for solar installations. The second runner up are steel or aluminum shingles, as there is a huge range of styles and colors to pick from, along with solid durability in pretty much any climate.

Always be sure to go with a reputable metal roofing manufacturer such as McElroy, Decra, Englert, Atas, Classic, Met-Tile, and Metal Works.

Pro Tip: when it comes to metal roofs, quality installation will be the key to ensuring that your roof preforms without any leaks or problems for decades to come. There is no sense to pay extra money for the strength and longevity of metal, only to save a few hundred bucks and get poor installation.

If you want to avoid any roofing problems in the future, make sure to hire a licensed, experienced metal roofing expert who can provide at least three recently completed jobs in your area.

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How Much Roofing Do I Need

The amount of roofing materials it takes to cover an incline is more than if the area was completely flat. If you have a flat roof, then the square footage of the uppermost floor of your house is the total for materials needed plus 10% more for waste. Traditional roofs that have an angle on most surfaces need to have the angled area factored into the total square footage.

Cost By Type Of Metal

Theres a common misconception that all standing seam metal roofing panels are made of steel or Galvalume, a type of steel that includes a zinc-aluminum alloy coating for corrosion resistance.

But if youre willing to pay a higher price, you can find many copper, zinc, or aluminum standing seam panels. The main benefit of these premium metals is their natural rust resistance. Aluminum and copper wont rust at all, and zinc, though it can rust in some conditions, is far more corrosion-resistant than steel.

Note: All steel, even galvanized steel or corrosion-resistant Galvalume steel, will eventually rust.

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Do You Need Gutters With A Metal Roof

Technically, metal roofing was designed to resist water damage, so having a reliable gutter system isnt strictly necessary when installing metal roofing. This protection, however, doesnt extend to the rest of your house. An uncontrolled flow of rainwater will do damage to any areas that arent underneath your actual roofing, and water damage may affect your houses sidings.

Gutter systems were made to drive water away from vulnerable areas, and the lack of it may potentially cause damage to the rest of the house. The roof itself may not need gutters, but its generally not advisable to forego installation if youre able.

Protection From The Sun And Rain

The most common reason why people build roofs over decks is for protection from the sun and rain. A covering allows you to sit outside and enjoy nature on even the sunniest and rainiest days. During the height of summer when the sun is at its hottest, catching some shade on your deck is a great chance to relax for you and your loved ones.

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Additional Costs Associated With A Metal Roof

An additional cost you may incur that is not reflected in the quote would be the removing and disposing of old shingles if replacing them with more asphalt shingles. Since metal can be installed on top of an asphalt shingle roof , youll save labor and disposing costs, but keep in mind you will have to buy and install wood purlins to provide an even base for the metal panels. So the cost might still be a wash.

If the project is new construction, such as an addition or new garage, metal is a big winner because an asphalt shingle roof would require a plywood base.

Also, the cost will be affected by the complexity of the roof. If it is a simple roof with few or no valleys, metal panels may be significantly cheaper and faster to install than asphalt shingles . But if the roof is more complex with several valleys and peaks, though the material costs might still be about the same, asphalt shingles are going to install faster and cost less in labor than metal panels. That said, it is still hard to beat the longterm savings of a metal roof.

Defining Metal Roof Costs

To discuss costs, we need to start by defining two terms: first cost and life cycle cost. As you might expect, the first cost is the product cost on the day of purchase. Conversely, life cycle costs also include factors like the life expectancy and maintenance of a product over its lifetime.

For a better understanding, lets look at the comparison of a home office printer. The first costs for printer option #1 are $59.00, while the first costs for printer option #2 are $99.

Based on first costs alone, option #1 seems the logical choice however, upon reading reviews, it seems the print head on the cheaper-priced printer commonly fails within the first year and, of course, after the 90 day warranty expires. With an estimated repair bill of $50, the life cycle costs for printer #1 escalates to $109.

And suddenly, the higher-priced printer option #2 may offer better life cycle costs. Ultimately, life cycle costs are the concept of paying more money for a product on day one but in exchange, reasonably expecting the product to last longer or provide fewer problems during ownership.

We can now apply the same premise to metal roofing panels with a better understanding of life cycle costs. The table below highlights that life cycle costs are a game-changer in any cost comparison between shingle and metal roofing.

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Metal Roof Prices By Type

It is important to understand that metal roofing is a broad term covering a range of materials with a large disparity in price. Metal roofing will generally run you anywhere from $5.00 to $12.00 per square foot, depending on which kind of metal roof you choose to install. There are more affordable metal roofing options, like steel panels, which usually cost you slightly less, as well as high-end materials, like copper roofing, which tend to average out on the pricier side and new roof replacement costs could reach up to $48,000 to install. See our chart below of the most common metal roof types and the average costs to install each.

Talk to Contractors

Pros And Cons Of A Metal Roof

Many things must be considered when thinking about installing a metal roof. Each home and situation is different. It is helpful to be aware of all the pros and cons before deciding if it is the right choice for you. A metal roof has many advantages, including easy maintenance, a long lifespan, energy efficiency, durability, easily recyclable and environmentally friendly, can be installed over an old roof, light weight, and resistant to fire, insects, rot, and damage. Like any other roofing type, slate has its share of disadvantages. These include complex installation, high upfront cost compared to other roofing choices, noisier than other roofs in the rain, wind, and hail, can be damaged by severe hail, and repairs will need to be handled by a specialist.

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The Full Scoop Lets Compare A 30 X 30 Garage Roof

Both metal and asphalt roofing get the job done when it comes to sheltering a building, but they really part ways in respect to durability, energy efficiency, and long-term savings.

Lets look at a 30 x 30 garage for an example. But before we go any further, lets just clarify that the example and prices are not meant to be an official quote. The numbers in our example are for informational purposes only but are accurate to the best of our knowledge. Every roof project is different. Rest assured we have a dedicated and knowledgeable team that would be happy to get you a custom quote.

On the surface, an asphalt shingle roof is the slim winner at $1,194 versus $1,267 for an ABM Panel metal roof . But if you look at the bigger picture, metal is the obvious choice. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association states on their website, If a residential roof is more than 20 years old, it is a prime candidate for reroofing.

Compare that to our ABM Panel that comes with 40-year paint warranty. There is no question that a metal roof can stand the test of time better than asphalt shingles in most situations, and contractors will tell you that there is very little keeping a properly maintained metal roof from lasting over 100 years . Metal lasts longer, is more energy efficient, is more beautiful, and can cost about the same as asphalt shingles.

Lets take a closer look at the cost.

Cost To Install A Metal Roof

Keep in mind that since metal roofing is a specialty material, there will not be as many qualified installers who will do the job well. This increases the total labor cost compared to how much it costs to install roofing shingles.

Metal roof installation ranges in price from $3-6+ per square foot depending on the house architecture, number of valleys and cut ups you roof has, number of stories and accessibility. The more complex your roof, the more expensive your installation will be. Also, roofers will charge more to install more expensive materials.

For most jobs, installation prices are usually 2-3 times the cost of materials.

On average, metal roofing installers charge $65-85 per hour. However, labor rates for roofing vary greatly depending on the area you live in. Roofers located in high-income areas can charge up to 30% more for their work, compared to the exact same job in a lower income neighborhood.

This is why its very important to get multiple bids from local roofers as well as negotiate prices.

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