Over the last several years, metal roofs have become a popular choice among homeowners. This is because roofs made of metal are often considered more visually pleasing than those made of other materials. Besides, they last longer and have better insulation, leading to lower energy bills since the ceiling and attic temperatures remain low. While all these benefits come at a steeper initial cost, they ultimately give a better return on investment over the years.
Metal roofing prices
The cost of installing a metal roof ranges between $10 and $60 per square foot. This cost typically depends on several factors, such as the type of metal, materials, labor, installation, the size of the roof, its style and design, the contractor, the location, and so on. In most cases, for a 2,500-square-foot roof with a moderate pitch on a 2,000-square-foot house, the cost of metal roofing can start at $25,000 and go up to $150,000.
Factors that affect metal roof pricing
Materials
Metal roofs come in a variety of materials. These include aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, steel, and tin. Among these, the cost of aluminum roofs is the lowest at around $4 per square foot. Meanwhile, copper roofs are the most expensive, costing almost $30 for every square foot. Other materials such as lead, steel, rust, tin, and zinc roofs range in price from $4 to $30 per square foot. In addition to price differences, the durability, visual appeal, and maintenance requirements of these materials also vary. It is always better to consult a roofing professional to help decide which material is suitable for the home and within the budget.
Roof design and style
Since all metals are highly malleable, they have a lot of versatility when molding them in different designs and styles. So, a homeowner can have several options of style during installation. There are standing seam metal roofs, corrugated roofs, metal shingles, and sheet metal. Standing seam ones are usually more expensive than others, although they look visually more appealing. Meanwhile, corrugated roofs can significantly reduce metal roofing prices, even if they don’t look too visually appealing. In general, the cost of standing seam roofs ranges between $7 and $30, and that of corrugated ones is between $3 and $15. Metal shingles start from around $7 and can go up to $22, almost the same as standing seam ones. Sheet metal roofs cost between $4 and $7, which is also quite cheap.
Pitch of the roof
Steep-pitch metal roofs typically incur higher installation costs because of the need for additional safety equipment. Whoever installs the roof has to use a roofing harness. This prolongs the roof installation process, thereby increasing the labor costs. Besides, metal roofs have slick surfaces, so snow and water can quickly slide off, causing damage to vehicles and other personal property on the ground. There is also a risk of injury to people who might be walking right below the edges of the roof. Therefore, steep roofs necessitate the installation of snow rails and snow guards. This can easily add around $1000 to $4000 to the total cost of roof installation.
Location
There are fluctuations in metal roofing prices based on location, and the overall cost generally depends on the cost of living in the area. For example, those living in major cities and metropolitan areas usually have to pay higher costs for roof installations compared to those living in rural areas. Besides, states that have a high cost of living also have higher prices for roof installations.
Contractor and labor
Usually, about 40% to 60% of the total cost of metal roofing goes toward contractor and labor costs. This means, on average, a homeowner can expect to pay about $7,000 to the contractor and other professionals working on the roofing project. A simple installation usually involves 30% to 40% of the total cost. However, if an older roof is replaced, demolition and removal will add about 10% to 20% more to the total cost. In most cases, professional contractors charge around $11 per square foot, which can be about $60 per hour. The price goes up with complicated roof designs, such as the inclusion of skylights, vents, and chimneys. Regional wages and the contractor’s level of experience also affect the overall price.
Size of roof
One major factor that directly affects the cost of metal roofing is the size of the roof. Most professionals charge based on roofing squares. Each square is about 100 square feet. The larger the area of the roof, the higher the costs involved. The size of the roof is based on the square footage of the house as well as the slope of the roof. A simple gable roof with a standard pitch can cost between $6,000 and $135,000, depending on the home’s square footage. However, the costs will go higher for roofs that are steeper and have complex designs.