What Does Metal Roofing Cost Per Square

Environmental Benefits Of A Metal Roof

In additional to tangible savings on the costs of energy, maintenance and repairs, a metal roof offers important benefits for the environment.

First and foremost, a metal roof lands itself ideally to solar panel applications. Particularly, standing seam panels are most recommended if you plan to go solar. Solar energy is great for our earth, and can also set you free from depending on big energy companies for your electricity and hot water needs.

Most metal roofs manufactured today have at least 50-70% of recycled metal content in them. This means that the manufacturing process is a lot cleaner and less wasteful compared to other roofing materials.

By the same token, a metal roof that has come to the end of its service life will not end up polluting our earth in the landfills. Instead, it will be 100% recycled. This makes a metal roof the only truly green and eco-friendly roofing material.

What Makes The Cost Worth It

When you look beyond shingles and slate, youll find metal roofing. While it may come with a higher price tag, its an investment that will pay for itself over and over again.

1. Energy Efficient Homes that have metal roofs can save up to 30% per month on cooling costs because metal will reflect the UV rays rather than absorb them.

2. Have Longer Life Span Having a roof that lasts longer means you dont have to replace your roof often. For most homeowners, a metal roof installation is the only roof installation they will ever have to do during their lifetime.

3. Easy Maintenance Most roofs need repair service in around 5 to 7 years but for a metal roof thats not the case. Once installed correctly, a metal roof is basically maintenance-free.

Cost Of Metal Roofs Vs Shingles

Metal roofing costs between $5.50 to $14 per square foot installed vs. an asphalt shingle roof which costs between $3.50 and $7 per square foot installed. Compared to an asphalt roof on a 1,200 square foot single-story home costing $4,200 to 8,500, metal roofs cost $8,400 to $19,000+.

Many homeowners would instead install metal roofs that look like shingles for a more residential look. Other than metal roof cost lying at 2 to 3 times to cost of asphalt shingles, metal roofs are an infinitely better investment because of their long life and low maintenance. Most metal shingles are made of galvanized steel or aluminum, but some companies offer copper and zinc shingles too.

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How To Choose A Color For Your Metal Roof

Much of the metal roofing color decision depends on your propertys style, the neighborhoods overall look, your climate, and your personal preferences.

For instance, if you prefer a more subtle look then you might want to pick a color that echoes your roofs siding, or is almost the same color for a chic monochrome appearance.

However, going for contrast can make for some great drama and lend your home some serious curbside appeal due to the visual impact of your new metal roof.

The color of your metal roof also plays a role as to how long it looks like new saturated colors or brighter shades tend to fade more quickly, while more neutral colors tend to weather in a way that looks more natural and that you might find more visually pleasing.

Our guide on roof shingle colors complete with visuals also applies to metal roofing with some caveats.

And naturally, when you are choosing the roofing colors for your home, always check in with your homeowners association or any similar governing bodies if applicable.

If you have a historic home and therefore are subject to specific colors or material types, or requirements for color palettes that may be otherwise limited, it is certainly better to know in advance if theyll have a problem with your new roof.

For instance, some color options for metal roofing include the often-dramatic look of bare metal.

Cost To Paint A Metal Roof

Did you know that you can paint your metal roof pretty much any color you can think of? Today, there are hundreds of beautiful metal roofing colors to choose from, that can match any type of siding or house architectural style.

When choosing a color for your roof, its important to be careful about the quality of the color coating.

If you want your roof color to stay vibrant and without visible cracks and chips for many years to come, its best to select Kynar 500 or Hylar 500 roof coatings. They have the best chemical composition and the longest warranties in the industry.

If you would like to paint your metal roof, expect to spend $1,500-4,000 depending on the size of the roof, and the type of color coating you want to have.

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Cost Factors Affecting Your Metal Roofing Installation

Metal roofing prices are typically higher compared to asphalt shingle roofs, but youre investing in a material that will last longer and is easier to maintain.

The total cost of metal roofing will vary depending on the metal material you choose, where you live, the scope of your roofing project and the labor involved. Lets get into the specifics.

Metal Roof Installation Cost

Professional metal roof installers charge about $350-400 per square for labor. Standing seam installation can start out as high as $500 per square, because its more difficult and time consuming to install this roofing system.

Typically, roofers charge 2/3 of the total roof installation cost for labor and overhead. Cost of roofing materials is 1/3 of the total price.

When estimating the total materials cost, roofers will include a waste factor of about 5-20% depending on the architectural design of your roof and the metal roof style you choose.

For example, on a complex roof, there will be more waste if you want to install standing seam panels, than if you install metal shingles or tiles.

Keep in mind that price quotes that you get online are for a basic install on a one storie ranch of cape style home. If your roof has a lot of penetrations , valleys, curves, your installation cost can significantly go up.

Roof pitch is another factor that can increase your labor costs. Installing a metal roof over a low pitch is much easier and quicker compared to a high pitch roof architecture. If your roof is curved, expect to pay at least 50% more for labor compared to a standard roof install.

Some roofing contractors can initially quote you a very low installation price, around $260-280 per square. However, they will then charge you extra money for every item of labor that they perform, such as:

ridge hip ventilation

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Will A Roofer Replace The Fascia And Soffit During My Roofing Project

You may or may not need the roof framing repaired and strengthened, sheathing replaced, or soffits, facia, flashing, etc. replaced at the same time as your roof. In most cases, it is unlikely that you will need an entirely new roof with everything replaced, but certain parts of your roofing system might need repairs made to prevent leaks after the new roof has been installed.

Exposed Fastener Metal Roof Cost

This is a very common option used on residential and commercial buildings. With full installation, it will cost around $5 per square foot.

R-Panel Metal

This type of metal is more common on commercial buildings and is often used for both the roof and siding on commercial buildings. The cost is very similar to that of AG Panel, coming in around $5 per square foot.

5V Crimp Metal

This option comes at a slightly higher cost at around $5.50 per square foot. You will typically see 5V crimp metal used in more rural areas.

Corrugated Metal

This option comes in again around $4.50 per square foot. Corrugated metal is typically used on sheds and detached garages due to its affordability.

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Labor Cost To Install Metal Roof

Labor costs to install a metal roof ranges from $3.50 to $12 per square foot, with most homeowners paying about $5 per square foot to install metal roofing. Labor comes out to between $3,000 to install an ordinary roof, and closer to $8,000 for more substantial, thicker, high-end materials. The cost of labor is around 3 to 5 times the rate of the materials alone.

Wood Or Cedar Shake Roof Cost

The national average for wood or cedar shake roofing is between $12,000 and $16,000, or $800 per square. The anticipated life span for most wood shake roof installations is between 30 and 40 years.

Wood shake is available in a range of thicknesses, which will affect the price as well as the protection they offer. Additional treatments are available for a class C fire rating at $0.85 per square foot, and a wood shake roof will require maintenance to clean off debris before the rainy season starts to prevent mold and moss accumulating. While they are most commonly made from cedar, followed by spruce and treated pine, you can also get synthetic cedar shake like Brava Cedar Shake from Brava which have a 50-year lifespan and requires no maintenance.

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Calculating Patio Roof Costs

The average cost to install a new patio roof ranges from $1,037 to $2,445 depending on the size and materials used. A small living room patio with asphalt roofing installed will cost $605 while a large outdoor dining patio with a metal roof costs $3,712. Of the four most common patio styles, the two that are generally considered large enough to warrant a roof include:

• Living room patio Average size is 16 by 18 288 sq. ft
• Outdoor dining patio Average size is 12 by 14 168 sq. ft

Patio Roof Costs

• Class A 21 to 45 feet long
• Class B 16 to 25 feet long
• Class C 20 to 35 feet long

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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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Metal Roof Cost Examples

The best way for us to explain how much an actual metal roof will cost is to give the quoted prices of real metal roofing projects that have been completed. Keep in mind that these prices capture one project based on its specifications.

While these price ranges are good representations of the cost of a metal roof installation, prices will still vary depending on:

• Coil/metal type
• Geographic location
• Residential vs. commercial

For a classic rib exposed fastener metal roof, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4.00 to $9.00 per square foot.

Things To Consider With Metal Roofs

If you are unfamiliar with metal roofs, you may have concerns about the potential for rust, noise from rain and wind, and denting, but rest assured that modern engineering addresses these concerns. Additionally, some believe that metal roofing will increase your likelihood of a lightning strike.

While metal does conduct electricity, electricity is not drawn to it. In fact, because it is fire resistant, if your home is struck by lightening, your risk of fire is actually with a metal roof. Finally, a metal roof will not make your home colder in the winter. As long as your attic is properly insulated, your home will stay just as toasty as any other home in the winter.

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The Difference Between Metal Shingles & Metal Standing Seam Roofing

Understanding how metal shingles and standing seam roofs are different is fairly simple on a basic level standing seam metal roofing material comes in continuous lengths and has a built-in mechanism that allows for expansion and contraction during weather changes, and the fasteners for the individual roofing panels are built-in, while with metal shingles they are nailed on.

Metal standing seam roofing is normally more complicated to install and requires more specialized labor, while metal shingles of any kind steel, aluminum, and other options can be less complex to install.

Of course, that all depends on your individual property, and the decision process can be made easier with some advice from an expert metal roofing contractor.

You should always consult your metal roofing contractor or roofing company that you are working with for advice as to the ideal type of metal roof for your property, regional climate, and budget.

Factors That Determine The Cost Of Metal Roofing

To accurately plan and budget for your metal roof, its important to know what goes into the total cost. When you receive a quote from a contractor, it will likely be divided into several different line items. Compare costs across contractors to ensure youre getting the best price without paying for things you dont need.

• Labor Cost of Installation- Labor is the single biggest factor in your new metal roof installation. The cost of labor is typically more than half the total cost of installation, but the cost will vary depending on your location. Plan for labor costs to be at least double, but even up to five times the cost of materials.
• Coating and Painting Most metal roof panels come with a coating that will protect your roof. However, some homeowners opt to add an additional polymer coating or make the roof a different color. This can be done before, during, or even years after the installation. It can cost between $500-$1500 based on the size of the roof.
• Underlayment The underlayment is what creates insulation and muffles the sounds from a metal roof. Typically, this is a felt covering that is about $0.07 per square foot. However, you can upgrade the underlayment to add additional soundproofing and insulation to your home. This synthetic option is usually priced between $0.06$0.21 per square foot.

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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.

Stone Coated Metal Roofing

A metal slate roof gives you the look and feel of a natural stone roof without the high price tag

• Lighter weight than natural stone

• Lower installation cost

Average Cost per sq. ft:

$5 – $12

Stone coated metal roof types allow for aesthetic diversity by offering the benefits of metal roofing with the look of more traditional clay or slate shingles at a fraction of the cost. Stone coated metal roofing is lightweight, durable and will offer a long lasting roofing option.

Stone coated steel roofing costs can range from $5 to $12 per square foot of roofing material. The total cost for installation on a standard 3,000 square foot roof would average to be around $24,000.

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Standing Seam Metal Roofing Cost By Location

As with any roof type, a standing seam metal roof cost can vary significantly based on the cost of living in your area. Labor costs in metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago will be much higher than in rural areas. Materials will typically cost more in urban areas, too.

Because accurate costs for you depend entirely on where you live, we recommend getting price quotes from at least three local pros. These quotes should give you a good idea of how much you can expect to spend.