How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Metal Roof? [2025 Data]

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.

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.

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.

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.