Metal Roof Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of a metal roof — enter your roof size and pitch to get a low-to-high installed price, the cost per square, and a materials-versus-labor breakdown. A metal roof typically runs $9–$16 per square foot installed.
United States — national average · 2026 prices
Material only unless stated as installed. Excludes tax, permits and local labour. Verify with local suppliers — see how we calculate.
How this calculator works
Every figure above comes from the formula below, applied to the assumptions listed. Nothing is looked up from a hidden table — you can reproduce the result by hand.
Formula
sloped area = footprint × slope factor, where slope factor = √(rise² + 144) ÷ 12
base cost = sloped area × material rate per sq ft (installed)
tear-off adds sloped area × $1–$2 per sq ft
total = (base + tear-off) × complexity multiplier
Assumptions & limits
- Standing-seam metal is costed at $9–$16 per sq ft installed. Panel profile, gauge and the metal itself (steel, aluminium, zinc, copper) move the figure more than roof size does.
- Weight is low — roughly 50–150 lb per square — so metal is the usual choice when the existing structure cannot take a heavier roof.
- Complex roofs penalise metal disproportionately: every hip, valley and penetration needs custom flashing and field-cut panels, so the complexity multiplier matters more here than on shingles.
- Installed rates per sq ft of roof surface: asphalt shingles $4.50–$11, cedar shake $7–$14, flat membrane $5–$12, metal standing seam $9–$16, tile $12–$25, slate $15–$30. These are 2026 national ranges covering material and labour.
- Tear-off and disposal adds $1–$2 per sq ft and is assumed to be a single existing layer. A second or third layer costs more.
- The complexity multiplier is 1.0 simple, 1.1 moderate, 1.25 complex, standing in for hips, valleys, dormers, chimneys and steep-slope access.
- The split shown is roughly 42% materials, with the rest labour and disposal. Real splits vary by market and by how tight the roofing labour supply is.
- This is a budgeting range, not a bid. It excludes deck replacement, structural repair, gutters, skylights and permit fees — sheathing rot found after tear-off is the most common overrun.
Worked example
A 40 × 30 ft footprint at 6:12 pitch, metal, moderate complexity, tear-off included
- Sloped area = 1,200 × 1.1180 = 1,342 sq ft → 13.4 squares
- Material and labour = 1,342 × $9 to $16 = $12,078 to $21,472
- Tear-off = 1,342 × $1 to $2 = $1,342 to $2,683
- Moderate complexity × 1.1 → $14,762 to $26,572
Result:About $14,762 to $26,572 installed for a metal roof of this size. Get three itemised local bids.
Built and maintained by Christoph Ballmer, Honeygoat GmbH
Method and constants last checked against the calculator code on August 17, 2026. Independent trade review is not yet in place for this calculator — see how we handle review.
Read the site-wide calculation methodology · estimate vs. quote and safety limits
How much does a metal roof cost?
A metal roof — usually standing-seam steel or aluminum — costs roughly two to three times an asphalt roof up front, but lasts decades longer, sheds snow well and can lower cooling bills. The price swings with the metal, the panel profile and how complex your roof is to detail.
As an installed all-in figure, a metal roof typically runs $9–$16 per square foot. On a 1,957 sq ft roof (about a 1,750 sq ft home at a 6:12 pitch) that is roughly $17,500–$31,500 before any unusual features. The estimate above lets you set your exact roof size, pitch, complexity and tear-off to tighten the range.
cost = roof area × $9–$16/sq ft (× complexity) + tear-off · roof area = footprint × slope factor
Typical service life for metal is 40–70 years. Once you have a target number, compare it against real local quotes before you commit — and if you're sizing materials for a DIY job, the roofing material calculator gives you squares, bundles and a shopping list.
New roof cost by material
Compare the installed cost of other roofing materials:
Frequently asked questions
How much does a metal roof cost?
A metal roof typically runs $9–$16 per square foot installed, all-in. On a 1,957 sq ft roof that works out to roughly $17,500–$31,500. A metal roof — usually standing-seam steel or aluminum — costs roughly two to three times an asphalt roof up front, but lasts decades longer, sheds snow well and can lower cooling bills. Enter your own roof size and pitch above for an estimate.
How long does a metal roof last?
A metal roof has a typical service life of about 40–70 years, depending on the product grade, your climate and how well it is installed and maintained. You're paying for long life, low maintenance, energy efficiency.
What drives the cost of a metal roof?
The main factors are roof size, pitch, complexity (hips, valleys, dormers and skylights), and whether the old roof is torn off — tear-off and disposal add about $1–$2 per square foot. Steeper and more complex roofs cost more because the work is slower and needs more safety equipment.
Is standing seam worth it over exposed-fastener metal?
Standing seam hides its fasteners under the seam, so there are no exposed gaskets to dry out and leak, which is why it reaches 40–70 years and sits at the higher end of the $9–$16 per sq ft range. Exposed-fastener panels (corrugated or R-panel) cost meaningfully less but need their screws and washers re-torqued or replaced over time. For a house rather than a barn, standing seam is normally the better long-run buy.
Is a metal roof noisy in rain?
Not on a modern house. The drumming people remember comes from metal fastened directly over open purlins with no deck beneath. Installed over solid sheathing and underlayment, as residential re-roofing is, a metal roof measures close to asphalt. Attic insulation reduces it further.
Can metal go over an existing shingle roof?
Often yes, and it is one of metal's practical advantages: at roughly 50–150 lb per square it is light enough that the structure usually takes it without reinforcement. Many installers add a slip sheet or furring over the old shingles. Set tear-off to No above to see the effect, but have the deck inspected first.
Will my homeowners insurance pay for a new roof?
Insurance generally covers roof replacement when the damage comes from a sudden covered peril — a storm, hail, fallen tree or fire — minus your deductible, and often pro-rated for the roof's age on older policies. It typically will not pay to replace a roof that has simply worn out from age or lack of maintenance. Document storm damage with photos and get a contractor's inspection before filing a claim.