How Much Does a Metal Shingle Roof Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $11,000 - $42,000
Installing a metal shingle roof costs $21,400 on average, or between $11,000 and $42,000, depending on your roof’s size.
The average metal shingle roof costs around $21,400, but installing a metal shingle roof can be an inexpensive and long-lasting alternative compared to other options.
The total project cost for a metal shingle roof can range between $11,000 and $42,000. However, you're more likely to get the best prices on labor and materials if you have time to shop around. Learn how to save money and where it’s best to spring for the right materials.
- Average
- $21,400
- Low end
- $4,300
- high end
- $90,000
Cost Breakdown
Most people often think of metal as being a shiny, hard substance. However, metal shingles don’t need to look industrial and futuristic. Many producers make metal shingles designed to look like wood or asphalt—providing the same aesthetic draw but without the drawbacks of such materials.
This can lead to a large selection of metal material and shingle styles. For many, a good place to start is determining the type of metal roof you want and then see if a producer makes that style in your preferred choice of metal. It’s best to discuss your plans with a professional metal roof installer near you.
Types
The first step to installing a metal shingle roof is deciding how you want it to look. While some enjoy the harsh appearance of corrugated or standing seam metal, others prefer a softer look. Most metal shingle manufacturers offer shingles that mimic more traditional roofing looks, like asphalt and wood shake.
| Metal Shingle Style | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood shake | $8–$16 |
| Asphalt | $3–$12 |
| Slate | $8–$14 |
| Tile | $5–$12 |
The good news is since shingles are overlapping, the weather protection and slight insulation properties will be similar across the styles. Wood shake is the thickest option and will provide the most protection, while asphalt is the thinnest and often requires additional insulation underneath.
Size
Size is an obvious contributing factor to a project's overall cost, and there really isn't much of an economy of scale when considering labor. Because of this, the calculations used to determine the price of your roof won't change much whether you have a small house or a large one other than slight savings in material costs. We've included average ranges for aluminum and steel as those are the most popular materials used for metal shingles.
For some projects, it can make sense to break it up, but roofing should all be done at once. This is because work might look different if done by different professionals and any negotiating power you have is amplified the larger the project is. Paying for metal shingle roofing, while expensive, very much falls into the “buy once cry once” category.
| Roof Size in Square Feet | Average Cost for Installed Aluminum | Average Cost for Installed Steel |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | $7,200–$12,800 | $9,600–$20,800 |
| 1,000 | $9,000–$16,000 | $12,000–$26,000 |
| 1,400 | $12,600–$22,400 | $16,800–$36,400 |
| 1,800 | $16,200–$28,800 | $21,600–$46,800 |
| 2,000 | $18,000–$32,000 | $24,000–$52,000 |
| 2,500 | $22,500–$40,000 | $30,000–$65,000 |
Materials
After choosing the style of your roof, you’ll need to determine which material is best. Steel and aluminum are by far the most common types of metal used for metal shingles, but you aren’t limited to those two. Homeowners looking for something unique might spring for copper, while others who want extreme protection can opt for stone-coated steel. While zinc is an option, it isn’t seen very frequently. Almost all metals are polished or painted, with the exception of copper, which is often left bare in order for it to patina.
Tin isn’t used much in modern roofing. Its price-to-lifespan ratio is quite low, and it simply can’t compete with the resilience of steel or the aesthetics of copper. We included it here because you can find it deeply discounted and it’s still used in other countries, but it should probably best be avoided in favor of other materials.
| Type of Metal | Material Price per Square Foot | Total Cost Installed per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | $6–$13 | $12–$26 |
| Aluminum | $4–$7 | $9–$16 |
| Copper | $16–$38 | $30–$65 |
| Zinc | $9–$18 | $18–$35 |
| Tin | $6–$16 | $12–$30 |
| Stone-coated Steel | $7–$15 | $14–$28 |
Labor
Professional roofers charge $20 to $50 per hour for their labor, which often comes to between 45% and 65% of the total project cost. There's a bit of wiggle room here with contractors especially if the job is large, but you can assume whatever the total cost, labor will be around half.
Location
Metal shingle roof installs are affected by three distinct geographic identities: city center, suburbs, and rural areas. You may think it’s less expensive the further you get from a city, and that’s correct—up to a point. While a roof install in New York City will surely be more expensive than one an hour outside the city, installing a roof five hours from the nearest metropolitan area will often cost more than a suburb installation. Roof installs require trucks and crews, so expect to pay a travel premium if you live far from a pro’s main work area.
Permits
Any roof work is going to require permits. The cost varies widely based on the complexity and your geographic location, but expect to pay between $150 and $800 for a permit. Whether you need a permit for other work will depend on the project you’re undertaking. Check with your municipality if you don’t know. A professional roofer should know exactly what you need.
Ongoing Expenses
Maintenance
Common metal roof maintenance includes occasionally hiring a pro to clean off metal panels, cleaning the gutters and drains, and removing snow and ice if you live in an area prone to such weather. It’s also wise to schedule annual roof inspections with a pro to check for corrosion and make sure they catch any other issues before they become more expensive repairs.
Repairs
The price of repairs will depend on the specific damage to your metal roof. However, most pros will charge between $20 and $80 per hour for repair work, but it could be more if specialized work or equipment is involved.
The slope of your roof comes into play here, as high-angle work requires high-angle materials like harnesses and sometimes even scaffolding. Expect to pay quite a bit more in repairs if you have steeples or other steep roof types.
Insurance
Damage to a roof is almost always included in homeowners insurance, but double-check your policy. If you’re planning to replace an older roof with metal shingles, discuss this with your insurer. Metal isn’t combustible and is hard to damage. This means fewer insurance claims, which are often passed to the customer in the form of significant discounts on premiums.
DIY Installing a Metal Single Roof vs. Hiring a Pro
While you can technically do the work yourself, we strongly recommend not doing so for a number of reasons. The roof is a dangerous area of the home, and there is a reason why roof installers have some of the highest insurance premiums—it’s dangerous work. Metal roofing is especially fraught as it can often be slippery, even when dry.
Some other reasons to hire a professional roofer are:
They have all the required safety equipment.
The job will be completed much faster.
The end result will almost always be higher quality than a DIY install.
Professionals may be able to secure discounts on materials.
A professional install will lower your homeowner’s insurance.
Hiring a pro makes sense for a metal shingle roof install almost any way you look at it, as this job simply isn’t DIY-friendly. In some cases, we’d recommend working alongside the pros in order to learn a thing or two, but almost no roofing companies will let you work alongside their teams—and for good reason—as an accident may not only affect you, but could result in significant liability. Your time is better spent hiring a pro and using your DIY skills elsewhere.
How You Can Save Money Installing a Metal Shingle Roof
Replacing or installing a roof can be expensive, so if you want to shave some percentage points off the bottom line, you’re not alone. Even saving 10% can mean thousands of dollars of savings.
When considering material costs, you must be willing to shop—and maybe drive—around and get multiple quotes, just as you would when hiring a roofing contractor. Be willing to think outside of the large home improvement stores, as independent shops may be willing to negotiate where a bigger company wouldn’t.
Some other creative ways to save money when installing a metal shingle roof are:
Stay flexible with color and material choices.
Discuss insurance discounts before purchasing materials.
Call discount centers and ask about overstock.
Ask your contractor questions about special pricing.
Wait until the mid-winter off-season to hire a contractor.
Talk to your bank about financing options.
Consider recycled materials.
Research any available tax credits (a pro can help with this).
Frequently Asked Questions
Metal roofs don’t leak any more (or any less) than shingle roofs, because they shouldn’t leak at all. Properly installed roofs should be watertight as that comprises the bulk of their purpose. Assuming no exterior damage, improper installation is the chief culprit of a leaky roof. Other than the insurance deductions and knowledge of a job well done, hiring a pro can also help you avoid any damage to your home or belongings commonly caused by a leaky roof.
Shingle roofs are certainly less expensive than tile roofs, especially ones made from materials like terracotta, but whether or not they’re better depends on your goals and budget. The vast majority of homes in North America are shingled, while in older parts of the world, namely Europe, tile is seen almost everywhere.
Some disadvantages of shingle roof tiles are that they aren’t very thick, so they can be damaged easily. This can mean denting and bending. Metal shingles are also more expensive than their asphalt counterparts, although they often look significantly nicer and last far longer. Depending on where you live, you can lose some energy efficiency from shingles, especially during peak seasons.
The most expensive roof style would be custom roofs of any material but are often made of copper or clay, but can also be exotic wood shake or specific types of stone. A roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home, and using these materials can quickly add several thousand to your price.
A metal roof increases a home’s value, including roofs made of metal shingles. Homeowners routinely recoup a high ROI of between 50% and 70% or more of their metal roofing costs. Taking into account the fact that a new roof significantly raises the value of your home, there should be less of a sting when considering replacing or repairing your roof with metal shingles.