If you are a homeowner considering installing a new metal roof on your house, then undoubtedly, one of the burning questions on your mind is how much will it cost?
Cost
The national average cost to install a new metal roof is $12.50 per sq.ft. including materials, professional installation, and a contractor’s workmanship warranty. This amounts to a total average cost of $21,250 for a typical 17-square residential roof.
Prices can can vary greatly, depending on the type of metal roofing you want to install (whether it be standing seam or metal shingles and shakes), overall project difficulty, and your home’s location.
Possible range of prices: Because metal roofs come in different materials (aluminum, steel, zinc, etc.) and profiles like metal shingles or standing seam panels, you can expect a price range between $8.50 and $16.50 per square foot of metal roofing installed, depending on the material type and profile, project complexity, and location. This translates to a total replacement cost ranging from $14,450 to $28,050 for a typical 17-square roof (1,700 sq.ft.).
Did you know? In fire-prone areas in California, Oregon, and Washington state, standing seam metal roofs were averaging $18.00 per square foot installed in the summer of 2020. Metal shingle roofs, meanwhile, were selling for between $12.50 and $15.00 per square foot installed in the same markets.
Most contractors measure roofs in squares. One square is equal to 100 sq.ft. A typical single-family house has a roof size of 17 squares.
Important cost factors: Your roof’s overall complexity and the local real estate market conditions (property values and robustness of the local economy) are the two most important factors determining the price of residential metal roofing. Note that the total amount of professional labor required (which is tied to the overall complexity of the roof) to install a new metal roof is by far the most significant cost factor.

![]() $7,500 Average price |
![]() $14,500 Average price |
![]() $8,225 Average price |
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Less-costly Metal Roofs
If you opt for a less-costly system such as corrugated or ribbed metal panels, your cost will likely fall within $5.50 to $7.50 per square foot or $550 to $750 per square installed, depending on the metal thickness (gauges for steel or mils for aluminum) and the quality of paint finish (polyester or acrylic vs. Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000) for the system being installed, as well as your home’s geographic location.
Important Points to Keep in Mind:
When considering the price of metal vs. asphalt, it’s important to keep in mind that with metal, you are not only paying more for a premium product and a longer-lasting material than asphalt, but you are also paying for a specialized, often tedious and involved (and hence costly) professional installation that requires special skills and expertise from the installer, as well as appropriate tools and equipment.
Keep in mind there are several factors that may influence your final price for a new metal roof. These include the type of metal and the roof style you choose, your home’s geographic location, and the overall complexity of the roof.
Pricing breakdown by the System Type: Metal Shingles, Standing Seam, Materials & Installation:
- What to Expect
- Metal vs. Asphalt Shingles
- Understanding the High Cost of Labor to Install a Metal Roof
- Steel Shingles, Standing Seam, and Stone-Coated Steel Roofs
- Aluminum Shingles and Standing Seam
- Copper and Zinc
- Paint Finish Quality
- Metal Roof Colors
- Effects of Location on Price
- Why a Metal Roof is a Smart Investment
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1. What to Expect from This Guide
Our pricing guide will walk you through all the main factors determining the cost of a metal roof. You will learn how much you can expect to pay for most popular types of metal roofing materials and how much it will cost to install the system of your choice.

Once you understand how the pricing works and decide on the type of system you want to install, you can then confidently negotiate with any contractor, as well as shop around to get the best deal possible in your area, without sacrificing on quality.