How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Metal Roof? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,170 - $3,634
Painting a metal roof costs $2,402 on average, although it can range between $1,170 and $3,634 depending on your roof size, pitch, and paint type.
Metal is a stylish yet durable roofing material that typically lasts around 60 years. However, part of keeping a metal roof in tip-top shape is regularly painting and sealing it. The cost to paint a metal roof runs about $2,402 on average, but ranges between $1,170 and $3,634, depending on your roof’s pitch, square footage, and the type of paint you choose.
Painting your metal roof protects it from rusting or abrasions while also adding another layer of protection against rain and snow.
- Average
- $2,402
- Low end
- $400
- high end
- $6,500
Metal Roof Painting Cost Breakdown
When calculating the cost of your metal roof, you’ll want to consider painting costs. Beyond square footage, roof painters will need to take into account the pitch of your roof, the amount of necessary prep work, and whether or not your roof or roof paint is under warranty.
Roof Size
You can expect to pay around $2 per square foot to paint your metal roof. Although this cost fluctuates, it comes down to how much paint is needed to cover the roof completely. So you should prepare to pay anywhere from $1.20 to $2.80 per square foot when requesting price quotes from local roof painters.
In certain instances, you may also be charged per square rather than per square foot. Per square simply means per 100 square feet. Some roofing materials, such as metal shingles, are sold per square. Expect to pay around $200 per square on average, with prices fluctuating between $120 to $280 per square.
| Roof Size (Square Feet) | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 – 1,500 | $1,200 – $4,200 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 | $1,800 – $5,600 |
| 2,000 – 2,500 | $2,400 – $7,000 |
| 2,500 – 3,000 | $3,000 – $8,400 |
Pitch of Roof
If you look down your neighborhood street, there’s a good chance that you’ll see a wide variety of roof pitches. These pitches can fall anywhere from a four-twelfths pitch to a nine-twelfths pitch. The first number refers to the “rise” of the roof from the middle of the soffit. The second number refers to the “run” of the roof, which is the distance between the edge of the roof and its middle.
If you have a roof with a pitch of six-twelfths and up, you should be prepared to pay an increased price. These roofs typically require special equipment to work on, so expect a price increase of around 5% to 20%, depending on the steepness of the pitch.
| Roof Pitch | Price Range (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| 4/12 – 5/12 | $1.20 – $2.80 |
| 6/12 or higher | $1.26 – $3.36 |
Prepping the Roof
Your roof will need a little TLC before it can get a fresh coat of paint. This prep work includes power washing away any grime, moss, and other debris that are on the roof. Power washing a roof will cost around $0.50 to $1 per square foot.
Paint Type
You can choose between silicone-modified polyester (SMP) paint or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) paint. SMP paint costs about $50 to $150 per gallon, while PVDF paint costs $70 to $450 per gallon.
The biggest price factor for PVDF paints is the color. Standard colors include neutrals like white, black, and beige for around $70 to $200 per gallon. Premium colors are $100 to $400 per gallon, while metallic shades are $150 to $450 per gallon.
So, while SMP paint is more cost-effective, you’ll have more color options if you go with PVDF paint. Before you choose between the two, first figure out the best color for your metal roof. That’ll help you narrow down your choices.
Roof Sealing
You’ll likely need to reseal the roof before painting. Sealing is used to prevent any paint from damaging the roofing material. It also helps keep paint on the roof and protects it from the great outdoors. The cost of coating your roof in a sealant averages about $1,750, or $1.50 to $3 per square foot.
Labor
Labor costs for your metal roof painting project account for around 70% of the total costs. For example, if your project costs are $2,000, then $600 of that is for materials, and $1,400 is for labor.
Cost to Paint Metal Roof by Paint Type
There are two main types of metal roof paint you should consider. The majority of homeowners will pick silicone-modified polyester (SMP) paint, but people living in sunny areas such as southern California or Florida may want to consider polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) paint.
Regardless of which type of paint you choose, you will need about 1 gallon of paint per 100 square feet of roof.
Silicone-Modified Polyester (SMP) Paint
This type of paint is by far the more popular option for residential metal roof painting thanks to its high durability against Mother Nature and anything she throws at your roof.
The downside is that it doesn’t have as many color options as PVDF paint, though. So while your metal roof paint may be able to weather a storm, it might not match your ideal color shade. On average, SMP paint costs around 25% less than PVDF paint.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Paint
PVDF paint may not be as durable as SMP paint, but it’s certainly more stylish. You can often get the more “premium” colors that you typically can’t find with SMP paint, including reds, greens, and blues rather than only grays, silvers, and browns.
PVDF also takes the top spot in the category of UV exposure. Over time, SMP paint is more likely to fade, whereas PVDF paint holds its own against the sun.
If you decide to use PVDF paint, expect to pay about 25% more than SMP paint. If you’re interested in one of the premium colors, you should expect to tack on another 10% to the total.
| Paint Type | Price Range per Square Foot (Materials Only) |
|---|---|
| SMP | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| PVDF | $0.70 – $4.50 |
Additional Expenses of Metal Roofing
Here are additional costs to consider when looking into metal roof painting costs so you can keep your roof looking brand new.
Repairs
Over time, the paint on your metal roof may sustain damage. One common issue is scratches from tree branches scraping against the roof during storms. You can fix scratches by cleaning them with mineral spirits and applying metal touch-up paint. Check with your manufacturer before applying any touch-up paint to see which brands, if any, they recommend.
Maintenance
When looking at metal roofing pros and cons, you likely noticed the long life span of 60 years. To ensure your roof lasts as long as possible, proper maintenance is key. The most important thing you can do is to get an inspection at least once a year. Roof inspections cost about $230 on average.
Roof Cleaning
Cleaning your metal roof regularly will help you avoid issues like moss growth and debris buildup. For metal roofs, the best cleaning method is a high-pressure wash that costs around $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot.
Cost to Paint a Metal Roof Yourself
Anytime you get on your roof, you’re taking a risk that you really shouldn’t. Painting a metal roof is no exception, and that’s why it’s best to hire a metal roof installer near you. Not only will you avoid the risk of falling, but you can also be certain that the pros won’t miss a spot. If something goes awry, they’ll handle the work while you sit back and admire the new paint.
DIY Painting a Metal Roof Cost vs. Hiring a Pro
If you decide to DIY your metal roof painting job, you can save around 70% of the overall costs. However, these savings may not add up to be a good deal when you consider all of the risk factors. It’s dangerous to work on roofs, let alone paint them, unless you’re a professional. You could sustain an injury or even put yourself in a life-threatening situation.
While there’s a possibility to save money, the best bet is to hire a metal roofing pro. They can help you get the job done right from prep all the way through the final touches. Speak with at least three pros so you can compare estimates.
Matt Marandola contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
To prep for metal roof painting, have a roof inspection conducted to determine the condition. Complete any repairs required before you paint. Remove the old paint on your metal roof, if any, remove rust and mold with a wire brush, and power wash the surface. Once the roof is clean and dry, start with a primer get painting.
The paint you choose for your metal roof will likely have a warranty attached to it that can last anywhere from 10 to 40 years. The length of the warranty depends on the brand and the type of paint.
Different warranties will cover different items. These items can include:
Abrasions
Chipped paint
Peeling paint
Faded colors
Cracked paint
Most metal roof paint jobs will last around 30 to 40 years. However, the life span can be as low as 10 years for particularly vivid colors like bright red. But generally, you can expect to repaint your metal roof twice during its 60-year life span.
You’ll know it’s getting close to the time to repaint your roof when the color starts to fade and you notice chalking, which is when powdery white residue begins building up on your roof.
Spring or fall is the best time of year to paint a metal roof because of cooler temperatures. Additionally, it is less likely to rain during your roof painting project. You’ll need to allow time for the paint to cure (at least one to two days) without any rain. Keep your eye on the weather before starting to paint your metal roof.