A metal roof costs about $5 to $16 per square foot installed in 2026, or roughly $7,500 to $40,000 for most homes (HomeGuide). Angi’s average across 4,408 projects is $11,766, with most homeowners paying $6,043 to $18,341 (September 2026). For a 2,000 sq ft roof (20 squares), HomeGuide’s rates work out to $10,000 to $32,000, against $6,000 to $12,000 for asphalt shingles at $3 to $6 per square foot. Fixr says metal costs two to three times as much as asphalt but lasts at least twice as long (January 2026).
Prices updated October 2026.
This guide prices metal roofing by type, metal and roof size, lists the line items on a quote, works through a sample quote and compares metal with asphalt per year of roof life. We compared figures from Angi, HomeGuide, Fixr, This Old House, NerdWallet, InterNACHI and the Cost vs Value report (see our editorial policy).
Average metal roof cost
Averages swing widely because each guide prices a different roof:
| Source | Average cost | Typical range | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angi (September 2026) | $11,766 | $6,043 to $18,341 | 4,408 homeowner projects |
| HomeGuide | $23,800 | $7,500 to $40,000 | $5 to $16 per sq ft installed |
| Fixr (January 2026) | $26,500 | $14,400 to $38,400 | 2,400 sq ft steel roof, about $11 per sq ft |
| This Old House (September 2026) | $57,661 | $25,721 to $89,600 | Average for a 2,000 sq ft home, Homewyse data, about $29 per sq ft |
| Cost vs Value 2025 (JLC) | $51,865 | Not given | 3,000 sq ft standing seam roof with full tear-off |
Labor is the bigger share: Angi puts it at about 60% of the total, and HomeGuide prices it at $4 to $8 per square foot, or $400 to $800 per square. A roofing square is 100 sq ft of roof surface, so a 2,000 sq ft roof is 20 squares.
Metal roof cost by type
Panel style matters as much as the metal. Installed prices per square foot of roof:
| Type | HomeGuide | Angi | Fixr | Per square (HomeGuide) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposed-fastener (corrugated or ribbed panels) | $5 to $12 | $3.50 to $15 | $3.50 to $26 | $500 to $1,200 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
| Metal shingles | $6 to $14 | $7 to $22 | $6 to $22 | $600 to $1,400 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
| Stone-coated steel | $7 to $13 | Not listed | Not listed | $700 to $1,300 | HomeGuide |
| Standing seam | $9 to $16 | $7 to $30 | $7 to $30 | $900 to $1,600 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
Metal roofing vs asphalt: installed cost per square foot
Architectural asphalt: $4 to $6
Exposed-fastener metal: $5 to $12
Metal shingles: $6 to $14
Stone-coated steel: $7 to $13
Standing seam: $9 to $16
Copper: $13 to $30
Scale: $0 to $30 per sq ft. Copper converted from $1,300 to $3,000 per square. Source: HomeGuide metal roof and roof replacement guides (accessed October 2026).
- Exposed-fastener panels. Screws go through the panel face. Angi says these cost 30% to 50% less than hidden-fastener metal, but HomeGuide notes they wear faster and need more upkeep.
- Metal shingles. Stamped panels made to look like shingles, slate or shakes. This Old House roofer Charlie Silva says they are generally cheaper than standing seam.
- Stone-coated steel. Steel panels with a granule surface. HomeGuide prices the material alone at $350 to $600 per square, about half the installed price.
Standing seam panels join at raised seams with hidden fasteners, the priciest common style. HomeGuide says $9 to $16 per square foot; Angi and Fixr stretch to $30 for premium metals. Our roof replacement cost calculator uses the same $9 to $16 range. For seam types, panel specs and pros and cons, see our standing seam metal roof guide.
Cost by metal: steel, aluminum, zinc and copper
Copper costs the most in every source; the other metals overlap. Installed prices per square foot:
| Metal | HomeGuide | Angi | Fixr | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (galvanized or Galvalume) | $5 to $13 | $6 to $16 | $6 to $16 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
| Aluminum | $7 to $17 | $4 to $11 | $4 to $12 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
| Tin | $6 to $18 | $5 to $12 | $3 to $15 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
| Zinc | $10 to $20 | $6 to $12 | $6 to $12 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
| Copper | $13 to $30 | $15 to $30 | $15 to $30 | HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr |
HomeGuide quotes aluminum, tin, zinc and copper per square, so we divided by 100 ($700 to $1,700 per square becomes $7 to $17 per sq ft). Its aluminum and zinc prices run well above Angi and Fixr.
- Aluminum. HomeGuide says it is among the most recommended roofing metals near the coast because it resists corrosion.
- Zinc and copper. HomeGuide says zinc roofs last 80 to 100 years. InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart lists copper at 70+ years.
Total cost by roof size
Roofers price by roof area, not the floor area on your listing, and slope and overhangs make the roof larger than the footprint. HomeGuide’s table for a one-story home with a 6/12 pitch puts a 1,000 sq ft house at 1,120 sq ft of roof and a 2,000 sq ft house at 2,235 sq ft. A two-story home has far less roof: our calculator puts a two-story 2,000 sq ft house on a 40 by 25 ft footprint at about 1,268 sq ft. Our gable roof guide shows how to work out roof area with a pitch factor.
This grid uses roof area times HomeGuide’s installed rates:
| Roof area | Squares | Exposed-fastener ($5 to $12) | Stone-coated steel ($7 to $13) | Standing seam ($9 to $16) | Architectural asphalt ($4 to $6) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 10 | $5,000 to $12,000 | $7,000 to $13,000 | $9,000 to $16,000 | $4,000 to $6,000 | HomeGuide rates |
| 1,500 sq ft | 15 | $7,500 to $18,000 | $10,500 to $19,500 | $13,500 to $24,000 | $6,000 to $9,000 | HomeGuide rates |
| 2,000 sq ft | 20 | $10,000 to $24,000 | $14,000 to $26,000 | $18,000 to $32,000 | $8,000 to $12,000 | HomeGuide rates |
| 2,500 sq ft | 25 | $12,500 to $30,000 | $17,500 to $32,500 | $22,500 to $40,000 | $10,000 to $15,000 | HomeGuide rates |
| 3,000 sq ft | 30 | $15,000 to $36,000 | $21,000 to $39,000 | $27,000 to $48,000 | $12,000 to $18,000 | HomeGuide rates |
Angi and Fixr size their tables by home square footage, with wider spreads: $12,000 to $90,000 (Angi) and $9,800 to $73,500 (Fixr) for a 2,000 sq ft home. The grid covers installed panels only; add tear-off and the extras below.
Line items and what raises the price
Ask for each of these in writing:
| Line item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tear-off and disposal | $1 to $3 per sq ft ($100 to $300 per square) | HomeGuide |
| Tear-off, whole roof | $1,000 to $7,400 (Fixr); $1,000 to $5,000 (Angi) | Fixr, Angi |
| Synthetic underlayment | $0.10 to $0.90 per sq ft, material (HomeGuide); $0.05 to about $0.50 installed (Fixr) | HomeGuide, Fixr |
| Roof decking replacement | $2 to $5 per sq ft | HomeGuide |
| Roof vents | $200 to $700 per vent | HomeGuide |
| Soffit and fascia repair | $500 to $2,600 | HomeGuide |
| Permit | $150 to $500 | HomeGuide, Angi |
| Inspection | $100 to $400 | HomeGuide |
| Material waste | Adds 10% to 15% to material cost | HomeGuide |
- Gauge. Lower numbers mean thicker metal. HomeGuide’s metal roof guide prices material at $1.50 to $5 per sq ft for 26-gauge and $3 to $7 for 24-gauge, the two most common residential choices.
- Pitch. NerdWallet says a steep roof can add $1,000 to $3,000 to a replacement.
- Going over shingles. HomeGuide says installing over the old roof saves labor and disposal fees but can add too much weight or hide damage, and Angi advises against putting metal over asphalt. Our new roof permit guide covers layer limits.
- Finish. HomeGuide prices coatings at $0.50 to $4 per sq ft and repainting a metal roof later at $1.20 to $2.70. It also advises getting at least three itemized bids.
Worked example: metal roof on a 1,500 sq ft ranch
Take a one-story ranch on a 50 by 30 ft footprint (1,500 sq ft) with 1 ft overhangs and a 6/12 pitch. That is about 1,860 sq ft of roof (52 × 32 ft × 1.118 pitch factor), or 18.6 squares. One layer of old shingles comes off, and the owners pick exposed-fastener steel panels. At HomeGuide’s rates:
| Line item | Math | Low | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tear-off, one layer | 1,860 sq ft × $1 to $3 | $1,860 | $5,580 | HomeGuide |
| Synthetic underlayment | 1,860 sq ft × $0.10 to $0.90 | $186 | $1,674 | HomeGuide |
| Exposed-fastener steel, installed | 1,860 sq ft × $5 to $12 | $9,300 | $22,320 | HomeGuide |
| Decking repair allowance | 100 sq ft × $2 to $5 | $200 | $500 | HomeGuide |
| Roof vent | One vent | $200 | $700 | HomeGuide |
| Permit | Flat fee | $150 | $500 | HomeGuide |
| Total | $11,896 | $31,274 |
Ask whether the panel price includes underlayment; if so, drop that line. Decking stays an allowance until the old roof is off.
In standing seam ($9 to $16), the panel line becomes $16,740 to $29,760 and the total $19,336 to $38,714. In architectural asphalt ($4 to $6), the shingle line is $7,440 to $11,160 and the total $10,036 to $20,114.
Related calculator: Enter your footprint, pitch and roofing material in the roof replacement cost calculator to get a starting range before you call roofers.
Metal roof vs asphalt shingles: cost per year
Metal costs more up front, so the question is whether it lasts long enough to make up the gap. We took the midpoint of HomeGuide’s installed price for a 2,000 sq ft roof and divided it by the lifespan range shown. It ignores upkeep, tear-off, energy and inflation, so treat it as a rough guide.
| Roof | Midpoint per sq ft | 2,000 sq ft roof | Lifespan | Cost per year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt | $4 | $8,000 | 15 to 20 years | $400 to $533 | HomeGuide |
| Architectural asphalt | $5 | $10,000 | 20 to 30 years | $333 to $500 | HomeGuide |
| Exposed-fastener metal | $8.50 | $17,000 | 30 to 50 years in humid climates | $340 to $567 | HomeGuide |
| Metal shingles or stone-coated steel | $10 | $20,000 | 40 to 80 years (all metal) | $250 to $500 | HomeGuide prices, InterNACHI lifespan |
| Standing seam | $12.50 | $25,000 | 40 to 80 years (all metal) | $313 to $625 | HomeGuide prices, InterNACHI lifespan |
Example: 2,000 × $12.50 = $25,000 for standing seam, or about $313 a year over 80 years and $625 over 40.
The ranges overlap, so metal only wins per year if it reaches the long end of its life. Lifespans vary by source: InterNACHI, a home inspector group, lists metal at 40 to 80 years and architectural asphalt at 30; Angi and Fixr give metal 50 to 70. NerdWallet prices asphalt higher than HomeGuide, at $4.25 to $12.25 per sq ft, which would favor metal.
When a metal roof pays off
The simple test is whether you will stay long enough to skip an asphalt re-roof. On the 2,000 sq ft roof above, exposed-fastener metal costs about $7,000 more than architectural asphalt at midpoint prices ($17,000 minus $10,000), and standing seam about $15,000 more. After the shingles’ 20 to 30 years (HomeGuide), the next asphalt roof would cost about $10,000 plus $2,000 to $6,000 for tear-off (2,000 × $1 to $3) at today’s prices. So the exposed-fastener premium is paid back at the first skipped re-roof, while standing seam roughly breaks even there and pulls ahead only if it outlasts the second asphalt roof.
If you plan to sell soon, the math favors asphalt. In the 2025 Cost vs Value report, a 3,000 sq ft metal re-roof recouped 50.1% of its $51,865 cost at resale, and asphalt on the same roof recouped 67.5% of $31,871.
Insurance, energy savings and tax credits
These claims are often used to sell metal roofs, so check who makes them:
- Insurance discounts. The Metal Roofing Alliance says a metal roof may cut premiums by 5% to 35%, depending on location and insurer, but not every insurer offers one. It cites no data, so ask your agent.
- Claim payouts. Some insurers pay wind and hail roof claims by roof age. Farm Bureau Financial Services’ schedule (effective June 2026) pays 80% on a 20-year-old metal roof versus 60% for standard asphalt shingles, and 75% versus 40% at 30 years. Our guide on whether insurance covers roof replacement explains these schedules.
- Energy savings. The Metal Roofing Alliance says metal may save 10% to 40% on energy costs. Angi says a reflective metal or color can cut cooling costs by 10% to 25%.
- Tax credits. Some older articles mention a federal tax credit. ENERGY STAR’s tax credit page does not list roofing as eligible and says those home improvement credits ran through December 31, 2025.
Browse our other roofing cost guides.
Common questions
How much does a metal roof cost for a 2,000 sq ft house?
HomeGuide’s one-story table puts a 2,000 sq ft house with a 6/12 pitch at about 2,235 sq ft of roof. At HomeGuide’s $5 to $16 per square foot, that is $11,175 to $35,760 before tear-off. A two-story house of the same size has less roof and costs less.
Is a metal roof cheaper than shingles in the long run?
Only if it lasts. Using HomeGuide midpoints, a 2,000 sq ft standing seam roof costs about $313 to $625 per year of life, versus $333 to $500 for architectural asphalt, so metal wins near the long end of the 40 to 80 years InterNACHI lists.
How long does a metal roof last?
InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart lists metal at 40 to 80 years and copper at 70+. HomeGuide says 30 to 80+ years, and Angi and Fixr both say 50 to 70.
Does a metal roof lower home insurance?
It can. The Metal Roofing Alliance says discounts of 5% to 35% are possible, though not every insurer offers one. Farm Bureau’s 2026 payment schedule pays 80% on a 20-year-old metal roof versus 60% for standard asphalt shingles.
Can you put a metal roof over shingles?
Sometimes. HomeGuide says it saves labor and disposal fees but can add weight and hide damage, and Angi advises against it. Building codes also limit how many layers a roof can carry.
Does a metal roof add value to a home?
Some, but less than it costs. In the 2025 Cost vs Value report, a $51,865 metal re-roof added $25,972 in resale value, a 50.1% return, while an asphalt re-roof recouped 67.5%.
Sources
- Angi: How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost? (2026 Data) (accessed October 2026)
- Angi: 2026 Metal Roof vs. Shingles Cost Comparison Guide (accessed October 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost? (2026) (accessed October 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost? (2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Fixr: How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost? (2026 Data) (accessed October 2026)
- This Old House: Metal Roofing Cost (accessed October 2026)
- NerdWallet: Cost to Replace Roof Shingles (accessed October 2026)
- NerdWallet: Roof Replacement Cost (accessed October 2026)
- InterNACHI: Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes (accessed October 2026)
- Journal of Light Construction: Cost vs Value 2025, National Results (accessed October 2026)
- Journal of Light Construction: Roofing Replacement, Metal (Cost vs Value project description) (accessed October 2026)
- Metal Roofing Alliance: Metal Roofing and Insurance (accessed October 2026)
- Metal Roofing Alliance: Energy Savings (accessed October 2026)
- Farm Bureau Financial Services: Roof Payment Schedule (Dwellings), effective June 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- ENERGY STAR: Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency (accessed October 2026)