Metal Roofing Prices Revisited
By Shawn Zuver, editorial content director
What is the price for a metal roof? It’s still one of the most frequently-asked questions that we receive here at DesignandBuildwithMetal.com, and likewise one of the more difficult ones to answer. (The most difficult is how our sales director, John Garvey, manages to remember all of the jokes that he tells.)
It seems like just a short while ago that I addressed this topic, but as I realized when referring to that column in response to a recent inquiry, the last time was in the summer of 2008. More than three years have gone by since then, so it seems like a good time to take another look at the question.
As I read back through that previous metal roofing cost column (click here, if you’d like to check it out), I was pleased to find that I still feel the same way about all of those factors that go into the pricing of metal roof systems. The selected metal roofing material and profile, the scope of services required by the project, and the job’s complexity all factor heavily into determining the final cost of a metal roof. And, as I pointed out before, these same things have just as much influence on other types of roofs like wood shakes, clay tiles, membranes, or asphalt shingles.
For a bare-bones metal roofing panel that’s thru-fastened, meaning that the color-matched screw heads are visible, I’ve seen prices locally (northern Ohio) as low as 70 cents per square foot. I’ve found standing seam panels, where the fasteners are hidden, that start as low as $1.60 per square foot. Meanwhile, I’ve noted metal shakes in the $1.70 range per square foot, and premium stone-coated steel roofing for as low as $2 per square foot. These are just starting prices in my area and upgrades – including material and finish choices, panel gauge/thickness, and variations in the exact profile (there are many types of thru-fastener panels, concealed-fastener panels, metal shakes, and stone-coated products) – will affect the cost of the product that is ultimately chosen.
Also please keep in mind that these prices are for the metal roofing only and do not include tax, installation, underlayment, screws, trim or any other accessories. It also doesn’t take into account design work that may need to be done, nor tear-off or modifications that might be necessary when replacing an existing roof.
While weighing the cost, be sure to keep in mind that, depending on the application, many metal products may qualify for tax credits.
It’s possible that the initial price of a metal roof may be more than some other products, but there are many reasons to select metal that go beyond initial cost. It’s very important to note that metal roofing can offer a wide variety of benefits – like aesthetics, weathertightness when properly installed, fire protection, low maintenance, recyclability, energy benefits, solar reflectivity, wind resistance, longevity, and low life-cycle cost.
As you walk through your home or business, I’m betting that you’ll find a number of upgrades – from floor surfaces to windows to landscaping – so it seems only logical that you'd want to upgrade your roof, which is one of the most visible and key protective elements of the structure.
If you’d like to get some ideas for roofing your home, business, office, school, church or other facilities check out hundreds of examples in our Project Type Gallery and Design Solutions sections.
Shawn Zuver is editorial/content director for DesignandBuildwithMetal.com. He has been covering the metal construction industry, including residential and non-residential construction, since 1985. To contact Shawn, call (419) 581-2051 or email shawnz@designandbuildwithmetal.com.
To view other columns by Shawn or other columnists, click here.