The average composite shingle roof costs $20,000, but it can range between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on its size, pitch, and condition.
If you’re installing a new composite shingle roof, you can expect installation prices of around $20,000, with costs commonly ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 or more. Composite shingle roofs cost an average of $4 to $8 per square foot, or $400 to $800 per square of composite shingles.
Composite shingles are durable, long-lasting, relatively easy to install, and arguably more attractive than traditional asphalt types. Here are the factors that determine composite shingle roof costs.
The size of the roof you're installing is the primary pricing factor regarding composite shingles. The roof size directly affects the amount of material necessary to cover it, as well as the length of time needed.
The average home's roof is roughly between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet. However, roofing work is often subject to measurements cited in squares instead of square feet. A square simply refers to an area equal to 100 square feet, regardless of its shape. Knowing how to calculate your roof’s square footage is a good first step.
| Roof Size in Square Feet | Roof Size in Squares | Average Composite Shingle Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,300 | 13 | $5,200–$10,400 |
| 1,700 | 17 | $6,800–$13,600 |
| 2,000 | 20 | $8,000–$16,000 |
| 2,500 | 25 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| 3,000 | 30 | $12,000–$24,000 |
Labor is a major price factor of a composite roof installation project. Alone, roofing labor accounts for between 45% and 60% of the total job cost. Labor charges are a direct reflection of combinations of most of the other price factors related to the job. The labor cost for your roof project will be part of the pricing estimate you receive for the work.
Where you live can affect the cost of your composite roof. Roofing costs will be higher in cities and remote areas, while homeowners suburban and rural areas will typically pay less.
| Location | Average Cost (2,000 square feet) |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $12,000–$18,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $11,000–$17,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $8,000–$14,000 |
| San Antonio, TX | $7,500–$13,500 |
| Seattle, WA | $7,500–$13,500 |
A number of factors go into determining the final cost of your composite shingle roof. The specifics of your roof’s architecture itself will make the most difference—the size, pitch, and complexity will make the most difference when it comes to cost. Other factors to consider include prep work, material composition, and more.
While not technically the same thing, roof pitch and slope are interchangeable terms for our purposes. Both refer to the steepness of a roof, which can profoundly affect the price of installing or re-roofing it.
The first reason is that the steeper the roof or the higher the pitch, the more roofing material it will take to cover it. A steep roof will require more shingles than a more shallow roof on a similarly sized home.
The other reason is for safety and maneuverability. Particularly steep roofs can require additional safety equipment and roof jacks, or even scaffolding, to keep the roofing crew safe and allow them to move around the project while working. These additional procedures take extra time to execute with the result being higher labor and equipment costs.
Expect prices for a very steep roof to be about 15% to 50% higher than those of a shallow roof on a same-sized home.
Complex roofs that feature several dormers, skylights, penetrations, varying slopes and angles, and other interruptions cost more to install a roof on than do more simple roof structures. Due to the need to stop and restart the next roof area multiple times and the additional cutting and trimming requirements, complex roofs take longer to re-roof or install. The additional effort increases the labor costs and can increase the material costs due to extra waste.
Complex roof structures may also require more flashing and detail work than simpler ones, which can raise the total price.
Building a new roof requires very little prep work other than the construction itself before installing the roof. However, in re-roofing situations, preparation costs are a significant pricing factor.
Before installing composite shingles on an existing home, workers must remove and dispose of roofing materials that are already there. Existing roof material removal and disposal will be part of the roofing estimate your roofing company supplies and can add between $1 and $5 per square to the job price.
Additional preparation work may be necessary if your roof needs repairs before continuing the re-roofing part of the job. Repairs can consist of fixing rot or water damage or reinforcing a sub-standard structure. If necessary, roof repairs can range from about $100 to over $2,000.
Composite roofing materials are available in several styles and generally mimic more traditional material types. The difference in styles can affect the overall cost of the roofing project. While materials cost for composite shingles in an architectural style cost between $4 and $8 per square foot, shake and tile varieties can cost up to $10 per square foot. The cost differences can reflect quality as well as aesthetic characteristics.
Roof flashing protects the intersections of roof planes and creates barriers in corners where roofs meet walls or other roof penetrations. Roof flashing is also important for helping to divert rainwater away from vulnerable roof areas. Your roofing estimate should include replacing the necessary flashing pieces. However, very complex roofs with extensive flashing requirements can incur increased roofing costs by up to $25 per linear foot of flashing for materials and additional labor.
Roofing work often requires a building permit. Your roofer will include the cost of the permit in your estimate. Depending on where you live and the project's scope, a building permit will add between $100 and $1,000 to the price.
Installing your own roof is a project only homeowners with roofing experience should tackle as a DIY. You can save big on labor costs, but roofing installation poses serious safety risks, and an improperly installed roof can cause damage, void your home’s insurance, and land you in violation of local building codes. Hire a local roofer with the experience, safety equipment, and installation know-how to ensure the job’s done right.
Repairing a composite roof can cost an average of $400 to $2,000, depending on the extent, location, and complexity of the repair. Composite shingles are a budget-friendly material, so repairs won’t cost as much as they would with pricier materials. For widespread damage or if your roof is more than 20 years old, consult with a roofing pro to see if a full replacement is a better investment.
While composite shingles are less expensive than many other roofing materials, there are still ways to save on installing your roof. Having your roof installed in a slow roofing season may entitle you to a discount from your roofing contractor. Choosing the least expensive recommended composite shingle option can also help keep costs down. Finally, be sure to get price quotes from at least three contractors so you can compare quotes and get the best value.
Composite shingle installation is worth the additional cost over more traditional asphalt varieties if you're planning to stay in your home for a while or desire the visual appeal of the product. If you're looking for value in terms of a return on your investment (ROI), architectural shingles or other roofing materials tend to offer better bang for the buck.
When it comes time to sell your home, a new roof will always appeal to homebuyers, since they’ll be able to avoid the expense of a replacement in the near future. A new roof is also less likely to need repair, which is also a bonus for buyers.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Composite roofs last from 30 to 50 years, depending on the quality of the material, frequency of upkeep and maintenance, and quality of installation. Composite roofs have a high impact rating, which means that, if properly installed, they’re less likely to be damaged by the elements over time.
While composite shingles have plenty going for them in terms of durability, longevity, and good looks, they also have downsides to consider. Three disadvantages of composite shingles are that they cost more than traditional asphalt varieties, have a lower ROI value, and lesser-quality varieties can experience fading from the sun over time.
