As it turns out, many homeowners are not aware that there is not one, but three main types of metal roofing systems available for residential properties; metal shingles/shakes/tiles, standing seam, and corrugated and ribbed “R” metal panels.
In other words, there are three distinct styles of metal roof paneling, all with their unique advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the particular style of metal, you can expect to pay between $5.50 to $18.00 per square foot installed.
Why is there such a wide gap in prices?
On the low-end, there are corrugated G-90 (residential grade) steel and ribbed “R” panels with exposed fasteners that tend to cost between $5.50 and $9.50 per sq. ft. installed.
On the high-end, there are architectural metal shingles, stone-coated steel tiles, metal shakes, and standing seam metal roofs. The high-end systems can average between $10.00 and 18.00 per sq. ft. installed, depending on specifics of a project (roof shape and complexity, accessibility, size and scope of the project, etc.) and where your home is located
Price per sq. ft. Vs. Price per Square
Roofs are normally measured and priced by squares. A square equals to 100 square feet of the roof surface. Many single-family residential roofs will measure between 15 and 20 squares.
In terms of squares, you can expect to pay anywhere from $550 to $1,800 per square of metal roofing installed, depending on the type of system being installed and your home’s location.
Metal Shingles, Shakes, and Tiles
Although, many homeowners are not aware of the existence of metal shingles, it’s a compelling alternative to the traditional composition shingles.
All in all, metal shingles cost about double the cost of asphalt shingles installed.
The Cost of Materials for Metal Shingles, Shakes, and Tiles
Metal shingles/tiles and/or metal shakes materials average between $4.00 to $5.50 per square foot, or $400 to $550 per square (100 sq. ft.) including trim/flashing details.
Total Cost Installed
With professional installation, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,500 per square for a new metal shingles roof.
For example, an average-sized ranch style roof measuring 1,700 square feet or 17 squares will cost anywhere from $17,000 to $25,500 installed, which is roughly two times as much as you would normally pay for an asphalt shingles roof.
Tamko Metalworks – metal shingles roof on a ranch
Pros and Cons: Metal shingles present an attractive combination of price to value in terms of its durability, longevity, looks, energy efficiency, and maintenance-free performance.
One disadvantage of metal shingles is that if you were to install PV solar panels over metal shingles, you would need to make penetrations in the metal shingles roof in order to install the mounts, as unlike standing seam, there are no ribs/vertical seams to attach the solar panels to.
Needless to say any penetrations can cause leaks down the road.
Standing Seam
By far, one of the most expensive metal roofing styles, standing seam offers many benefits in exchange for its high initial cost.
On average, standing seam panels cost from $5.00 to $7.50 per square foot for materials alone. Fully installed, standing seam will cost between $1,100 to $1,800 per square.
Thus, an average-sized ranch style roof measuring 1,700 square feet or 17 squares will cost anywhere from $18,700 to $30,600 for a new standing seam metal roof fully installed.
Pros and Cons: Other than the high initial cost, standing seam can be more difficult and hence costlier to install compared to metal shingles. But, if you ever want to go the Solar route, standing seam is ready for a seamless integration at your convenience! 😉
Corrugated Steel Panels
Corrugated steel is one of the most basic and least expensive styles of metal roofing that cost between $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot for materials and about $5.50 to $9.50 per square foot installed with warranty.
For perspective, an average-sized ranch style house, with a roof measuring 1,700 square feet or 17 squares would cost about $9,350 to $16,150 for a quality corrugated or ribbed metal roof installed.
Pros and Cons: One disadvantage of this style, despite its relatively low cost, is that corrugated metal panels are secured with exposed fasteners that may become loose after 10 to 15 years, and hence require re-tightening in order to prevent any leaks due to dried out washers or loose screws.