What a metal roof costs
What a metal roof costs is the question on this page, and the ranges below tell you what is normal; a quote tells you what yours costs. Call (855) 812-6217 during business hours with your ZIP code and the words "what a metal roof costs", and we match the job with licensed roofers near you. Quotes cost nothing and you hire only if you want to.
The average metal roof cost runs $5,500 to $15,500, with most just under $10,500, says NerdWallet in 2026. Standing seam is $8 to $14 per square foot installed.
Glen has a 2,000 sq ft roof. He wants to know if metal is worth twice the asphalt quote, so his numbers run through each section.
The three kinds of metal roofs
- Standing seam. Long panels with raised seams and hidden fasteners. The most common choice on houses, and the quietest in rain.
- Corrugated or exposed-fastener panels. Wavy or ribbed steel screwed through the face. Cheaper, common on barns, and the screws need checking over time.
- Metal shingles. Stamped to look like slate, shake or tile. Often stone-coated.
Cost per square foot
| Metal | Per sq ft | Glen's 2,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Standing seam | $8 to $14 | $16,000 to $28,000 |
| Steel | $6 to $16 | $12,000 to $32,000 |
| Aluminum | $8 to $12 | $16,000 to $24,000 |
| Stone-coated metal slate | $5 to $12 | $10,000 to $24,000 |
| Copper | $16 to $30 | $32,000 to $60,000 |
Per sq ft prices are from NerdWallet's metal roof cost guide. The right column is the same price times Glen's area.
Metal versus shingles over 30 years
Asphalt costs Glen $6,880 to $24,000 today at $3.44 to $12 per sq ft. NerdWallet gives asphalt 15 to 25 years and metal up to 50. Over 30 years Glen likely pays for asphalt twice and metal once.
Two asphalt roofs at the middle of the range come to about $31,000. One standing seam roof at the middle is about $22,000. The asphalt figure is from This Old House; life spans from NerdWallet.
Putting metal over your old shingles
Many building codes allow metal over one layer of old shingles. It saves the tear-off fee and a dumpster. The catch is that nobody sees the decking underneath, so rot stays hidden.
Ask the roofer to walk the roof first and press on soft spots. Furring strips or a slip sheet between the old and new layers stop wear and trap less moisture.
Metal roof cost calculator
The tool uses the standing seam band. For other metals, multiply the roof area from the result by the table above.
Insurance discounts
Some insurers lower premiums for impact-rated or metal roofs in hail states. Ask your agent for the exact discount in writing before you buy. The NAIC consumer guide notes that replacing the roof is one of the things that can lower a premium.
Light colored metal also reflects sun. ENERGY STAR lists rated products on its cool roof page. Premium details are in the NAIC homeowners guide.
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to put a metal roof or shingles?
Shingles cost less up front. Standing seam metal runs $8 to $14 per sq ft installed against $3.44 to $12 for asphalt. Metal can outlast two asphalt roofs, which narrows the gap over time.
How much does a metal roof cost for a 2000 square foot home?
At $8 to $14 per sq ft for standing seam, 2,000 sq ft of roof is $16,000 to $28,000. Steel panels at $6 to $16 per sq ft span a wider band. Your slope adds roof area on top of the footprint.
How much does a 1000 sq ft metal roof cost?
About $8,000 to $14,000 for standing seam, and $6,000 to $16,000 for steel panels, using NerdWallet’s 2026 per sq ft figures. Small roofs often carry a minimum job charge.
How long does a metal roof last?
NerdWallet says metal can last 50 years and sometimes over 100. Asphalt usually lasts 15 to 25 years by the same source.
Sources
- NerdWallet, Metal Roof Cost in 2026, checked October 2026
- This Old House, How Much Does a Shingle Roof Cost? (updated March 2026), checked October 2026
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Homeowners insurance consumer guide, checked October 2026
- ENERGY STAR, Cool Roofs, energystar.gov, checked October 2026
Last checked October 2026
What to do now
- Run the calculator with your own footprint, slope and material, and write down low, likely and high.
- Call (855) 812-6217 with your ZIP code and the likely number, or send the job below. The Roof Cost Guide team answers during business hours and matches it with licensed roofers near you.
- Compare three written quotes line by line against your band before you sign anything.
Talk to a local roofer
What a metal roof costs is the question on this page, and the ranges below tell you what is normal; a quote tells you what yours costs. Call (855) 812-6217 during business hours with your ZIP code and the words "what a metal roof costs", and we match the job with licensed roofers near you. Quotes cost nothing and you hire only if you want to.
Call (855) 812-6217 Call (855) 812-6217Outside business hours, send the quote form and a roofer calls you back.
Three local quotes, one request
Send the what a metal roof costs job with your ZIP code, roof size and the material you want. Up to three licensed roofers near you quote the same job, and we send your details to them and no one else. Quotes cost nothing and you hire only if you want to.