Average Cost to Install a New Shingle Roof – Project Examples

A typical asphalt shingle roof can cost anywhere from $4.00 to $9.50 per square foot to install, depending on the choice of material, roof difficulty, project scope, and your home’s location. – Undoubtedly, that is a rather wide range for composition shingles.

That said, most homeowners typically pay between $5.50 and $7.50 per square foot to install a new roof on a typical house.

In this guide, we will explore the average cost to shingle a roof on a typical house. We will cover six main types of roofing shingles, including composition or asphalt, metal, cedar, synthetic or rubber shingles, stone coated steel shingles, and the new GAF Timberline solar shingles. Armed with the latest prices and pros and cons of each system, you can decide what type of shingle is best for your home and budget. Let’s delve in.

Basic, Three-Tab Shingles

Three-tab or strip shingles are the most basic and least expensive asphalt shingles you can get for your home.

Example Project 1

For a simple gable roof on a single-story ranch, you can expect to pay as little as $4.00 per square foot for an over-the-top installation with no tear-off. For a basic, 1,600 to 1,800 square foot gable roof, your total project cost could range from $6,400 to $7,200 for a simple, overtop installation with no tear-off.

Installing three-tab shingles can be a suitable option for homes located in temperate climate with little to no risk of exposure to hurricane-grade winds.

Note that over-the-top or overtop installation can be an option when there is only one existing layer of shingles, coupled with a roof deck that is in good condition (requires an inspection through the attic space).

 

Example Project 2

For a more complex project, where there are already two existing layers of shingles, there would be an additional charge of $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot to remove and dispose of the old roof. Therefore, with the tear-off included, you would be looking to pay anywhere from $5.50 to $6.00 per square foot to replace an old roof with new three-tab shingles.

Thus, for a basic, 1,600 to 1,800 square foot gable roof that has two layers of old shingles and requires a tear-off, your total project cost could range from $8,800 to $10,800 for a quality installation, including the roof deck inspection, installing new flashing as needed, installing new Ice-and-Water shield, as needed, and ensuring proper ventilation of the roof/attic space.

Mid-range Architectural or Dimensional Shingles

Architectural shingles are the most popular roofing material for sloped roofs in the US. The main advantage of architectural shingle is its durability due to thicker design, featuring more layers of asphalt over the fiberglass mat which serves as the base level for shingle.

In practical terms, you can install mid-range architectural shingles on almost any sloped roof in the US, including homes located in high-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ) such as Broward and Miami-Dade counties in the state of Florida. In fact, most popular mid-range architectural shingles such as CertainTeed Landmark, GAF Timberline HDZ, and Owens Corning Duration shingles are rated for up to 130 MPH grade winds, when installed using a high wind nailing pattern with 6 nails per shingle.

Example Project 1

For a basic hip roof on a single-story or two-story home, you can expect to pay between $4.50 and $5.50 per square foot for an over-the-top installation with no tear-off. For a basic, 1,600 to 1,800 square foot hip roof, your total project cost could range from $7,200 to $9,900 for a simple, overtop installation with no tear-off.

Example Project 2

For a more complex project, with two existing layers of shingles, there would be an additional charge of $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot to remove and dispose of the old roof. Therefore, with the tear-off included, you would be looking to pay anywhere from $6.00 to $7.50 per square foot to replace an old roof with new architectural shingles.

For a basic to moderate difficulty 1,500 to 1,700 square foot hip roof that has two layers of old shingles and requires a tear-off, your total project cost could range from $9,000 to $12,750 for a quality installation.

Premium Architectural and Designer or Luxury Shingles

Most roofing manufacturers also sell heavier/thicker shingles that are more durable and provide greater perception of depth (for visual appearance and design purposes) due to their greater thickness. These shingles cost more but they can be a sensible choice for higher-end homes where a more distinctive roof appearance is desired. These shingles can range from heavier architectural shingle variants like CertainTeed Landmark Pro and GAF Timberline UHDZ (Ultra HDZ) to more premium and pricier designer shingles.

Example Project 1

For a moderately complex project on a home sporting a moderately-difficult hip and gable roof, you can expect to pay between $6.00 and $8.00 per square foot to replace the old roof with the higher-end architectural shingles such as CertainTeed Landmark Pro. Assume the old roof has two layers of old shingles that need to be removed and disposed of.

So, for a moderately complex 2,000 to 2,200 square foot hip and gable roof on a one-and-half to two-stories home, with up to two layers of old shingles, it will cost between $12,000 and $17,600 to install the more premium architectural shingles such as CertainTeed Landmark Pro.

Example Project 2

For a more complex project on a two-story high-end home featuring a hip and gable roof with up to two dormers, and some skylights, you can expect to pay between $7.50 and $9.50 per square foot to replace the old roof with new premium designer shingles such as GAF Slateline. Assume the old roof has two layers of old shingles that need to be removed and disposed of.

So, for a more complex 2,500 to 3,000 square foot hip and gable roof featuring dormers and skylights on a two-stories home, with up to two layers of old shingles, it will cost between $18,750 and $28,500 to install the more premium architectural shingles such as GAF Slateline or GAF Camelot.

Kynar 500 Metal Shingles

Metal shingles are a premium product offering superior durability and longevity with the classic look of shingles for residential roofs. Most homeowners getting a metal shingles roof will want to remove the existing roof to ensure the roof deck is in good condition, because a metal shingle roof is considered a “forever roof” that will last for many decades with a quality installation.

In terms of costs, you can expect to pay between $10.50 and $16.50 per square foot to install a metal shingles roof on a typical house, depending on the brand and type of metal shingles, and your home’s location. The price assumes the removal and disposal of an old roof with up to two layers of shingles.

Project Example

Replace an old roof with metal shingles on a simple 1,600 square foot hip roof on single-story rambler home. Remove and dispose of up to two layers of shingles, inspect and repair the roof deck as needed, install Ice-and-Water barrier at the eaves, install premium breathable synthetic underlayment, install metal shingles and trim, ensuring proper roof/attic ventilation is in place.

Expect to pay between $16,800 and $26,400 for a typical 1,600 square foot hip roof, depending on the choice of material, choice of contractor, overall roof condition (roof deck, ventilation, etc.), and project location.

Here are the most common metal shingle product choices ordered by brand from least-costly to most-costly: Tamko Metal Works (28-gauge steel shingles), FutureRoof steel shingles, Interlock aluminum shingles and tiles, Classic aluminum shakes.

 

Cedar Shingles and Shakes

Cedar shingles and shakes are a premium roofing product typically installed on Cape Cod style homes including homes in historic neighborhoods and on roofs of homes where a classic rustic look of cedar shingles is desired. Cedar shingles pricing is comparable to high-end metal roofs, with a typical price tag of $14.50 to $20.50 per square foot installed.

While cedar shingles and shakes offer authentic natural beauty and classic style, they do require some occasional maintenance like keeping them free of moss and algae growth, etc. Regular inspections will help ensure longevity of a cedar shingles or shakes roof.

Example Project 1

Replace old cedar shakes on a 1,500 square foot roof on Cape Cod Style home. Removal of old shakes is required. Total project cost can range from $21,750 to 30,750, depending on the choice of material (cedar shingle or shake), contractor, roof difficulty, and your home’s location.

Example Project 2

Replace old cedar shakes on a 2,200 square foot hip and gable roof with dormers and/or skylights on a two-story house. Removal of old shakes is required. At $16.50 to 20.50 per square foot installed, the total project cost can range from $36,300 to $46,125, depending on the choice of material (cedar shingle or shake), contractor, roof difficulty, and your home’s location.

 

Composite Synthetic Shingles and Shakes

Synthetic shingles, shakes, and tiles are relatively new kid on the block, but they are boasting impressive 50-year product warranties from the likes of DaVinci, Brava, EnviroShake, and EcoStar. These products are designed to emulate the look of natural slate, cedar shakes, and clay tiles, while offering the advantage of being light-weight and durable, with many products boasting class 4 hail impact ratings and wind uplift ratings of up to 110 MPH.

However, these products are not cheap, while their track record is still relatively new to be sure. An inexperienced installer who hasn’t been trained to install synthetic shingles can inadvertently damage the product during the installation, resulting in premature roof failure due to cracks in synthetics shingles.

As mentioned earlier, these products are not cheap, with a typical price tag of around $12.50 to $18.50 per square foot installed, depending on the product, roof difficulty, and your home’s location.

Project Example

Replace an old asphalt shingles roof on a 2,200 square foot two-stories house with new DaVinci imitation slate shingles installed at $16.50 per square foot. Assume a 2,000 square foot roof surface with the total project cost of $33,000. The removal and disposal of an old roof is included in the price.

Stone Coated Steel Shingles

Unlike the shiny metal shingles, stone coated steel shingles can easily be mistaken for asphalt shingles, as they are coated with stone granules just like composition shingles. However, these are no ordinary shingles! Stone coated steel tiles are far more durable and longer lasting than regular shingles. They can withstand hurricane-grade winds and are the only roofing product that is warrantied to withstand hail impact damage.

Stone coated steel shingles are very popular in Florida thanks to their durability and longevity in face of potential storms and hurricanes. At an average cost of $10.50 to $16.50 per square foot installed, stone coated steel shingles and tiles are compatible in price to the Kynar 500 coated metal shingles.

While not as energy efficient as the Kynar 500 metal shingles, stone coated steel tiles are extremely durable and robust. If you are looking for premium performance with superior durability and longevity in the face of hailstorms and more, stone coated steel tiles can be a great option.

Project Example

A moderately-complex 2,500 square foot hip roof on a two-story house. Total project cost can range from $26,250 to $41,250, depending on the material design choice, roof accessibility and difficulty, whether the old roof removal is required, and your home’s location.

Solar Shingles

One key innovation in the evolution of roofing shingles is the integration of photovoltaic solar cells as part of the roof itself. This innovation is currently taking the industry by storm thanks to the likes of GAF Energy, which is spearheading its Timberline solar shingles system offering designed for residential roofs. With GAF solar shingles, there is no need to drill any wholes in the roof, as the solar panels are integrated, making them a part of the roof.

Project Example

A 2,000 square foot hip and gable roof that is due for replacement soon. Note that GAF solar shingles are only recommended if the current roof is old and needs replacement soon. While GAF Energy’s website does not provide the cost of the new Timberline solar roof, it is estimated to cost around $48,000 for a 10-kW system installed on a mid-size residential roof. But the final cost can be reduced to about $30,000 – $35,000 after the recently extended 30% federal solar tax credit incentive.

For comparison, a traditional solar panel system can cost around $29,500 for a 10-kW system, and a new roof with solar panels can cost between $39,500 to $49,300, including incentives. The 30% solar federal tax credit covers only the photovoltaic system components and their installation costs, rather than the cost of installing a new roofing system. Thus, if the GAF solar roof is chosen, the tax credit only covers the Timberline solar shingles, power generation components, and their installation costs. However, the solar part of the roof is the most expensive part of the whole system.

Note that GAF solar shingles can only be purchased as part of a new roof, and the roof will use a combination of solar and non-solar shingles from GAF that have a similar appearance.

What makes GAF solar shingles a compelling choice is that this system is relatively easy to install since solar shingles have traditional nailable pattern just like the regular GAF timberline shingles. There are currently over 285 partners that install GAF Timberline solar shingles across the US, meaning the wait times should be reasonable. This is in stark contrast to the much hyped Tesla solar roof that has been plagued by delays and project cancellations, and currently has limited availability  with rather long wait times, likely due to Tesla having problems scaling the product.

Cost Factors

The cost of installing roofing shingles can vary depending on several factors.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important factors that can impact the overall cost of your roofing project:

1. Size of the roof: The size of your roof is the most significant factor that determines the total cost of the project. The larger the roof, the more shingles, and other materials will be required, which will increase the cost.
2. Roof style: Roofs with multiple angles or steep slopes can be more challenging to work on and may require additional safety equipment, which can increase labor costs. On the other hand, a simple gable roof with a moderate pitch may be less expensive to install shingles on compared to a more complex roof design.
3. Material quality: The quality of the shingles you choose can also impact the cost. Higher quality shingles will typically last longer and offer better durability, but they will also be more expensive than lower quality options.
4. Roof pitch: The pitch or slope of your roof can also impact the cost of installation. The steeper the roof, the more challenging it will be to install the shingles, which can increase the labor costs.
5. Removal of old shingles: If you already have existing shingles on your roof, they will need to be removed before new shingles can be installed. This process can add to the overall cost of the project.
6. Roof deck: The condition of your roof deck may affect the installation process, and any necessary repairs to the deck will increase the overall cost.
7. Underlayment: Underlayment is a layer of material that goes between the shingles and the roof deck. The type and quality of the underlayment can impact the overall cost of the project.
8. Location: The cost of labor and materials can vary depending on your location. Labor costs tend to be higher in more expensive areas, while material costs may vary based on availability and transportation costs.
9. Additional features: If your roof has major features like multiple dormers, valleys, chimneys and skylights, requiring additional work like extensive new flashing or ventilation, this can also impact the overall cost of installation.
10. Roof accessibility: If the roof is difficult to access or if there are obstacles such as trees or power lines in the way, the installation cost may be higher.
11. Extended Warranties: Some manufacturers offer extended warranties for their shingles, which may increase the upfront cost but provide long-term cost savings.
12. The choice of roofing company can also impact the cost, as some companies may charge more for their services than others, depending on their level of expertise and reputation.

 

In Conclusion

If you are looking to replace the old shingles on your roof, your options are not limited to just asphalt. Compare and contrast installation costs and performance factors of all roofing shingles systems including metal, composite synesthetic shingles, cedar, and stone coated steel shingles to see which option makes the most sense for your home, with aesthetics, budget, and overall performance in mind.