Metal Roofing
How much is a metal roof? Metal usually runs two to three times an asphalt roof. Learn the types, what drives the price, and how to get a real number.
How much does a metal roof cost?
A metal roof usually costs two to three times more than an asphalt shingle roof, since the materials are harder to fabricate and install. Your exact price depends on the type of metal, the size and complexity of your roof, and your location. For a real number, an on-site estimate or a pricing tool is the way to go.
Key takeaways
- Metal roofs generally cost two to three times more than asphalt shingles.
- Standing seam is the higher-priced, more modern option, while screw-down is simpler and cheaper.
- Screw-down panels suit unheated buildings like barns, not homes.
- Roof size, complexity, and the metal you choose drive the price.
- An on-site estimate gives your true cost, while the pricing calculator offers a quick starting point.
For homeowners who want a durable, distinctive roof that needs less upkeep, metal is a strong option. A standing seam metal roof can last 40 to 70 years or more when installed well, and screw-down metal holds up a long time over barns and sheds. Metal also costs more than asphalt, though, sometimes a lot more, so the natural question is how much. On Tops Roofing has installed and repaired metal roofs in the Raleigh area since 1991.
What Metal Roofing Is
A metal roof is a set of metal panels fixed to the roof frame, either screwed down or locked together in the case of standing seam. Metal ranks second in the country for roofing, behind asphalt shingles, which stay ahead thanks to their lower cost. Historically, metal has been common in rural areas, where durability matters more than blending in with the neighbors. A similar pattern holds around Raleigh, where many in-town homes choose asphalt while metal shows up more on rural homes south and east of the city.
Metal and asphalt roofs share some parts, like decking and underlayment, but differ in the details. Metal roofs use a high-heat ice-and-water shield for underlayment rather than felt, and they finish with a specially made ridge cap, much like asphalt's ridge shingles. Metal also uses a lock strip along the edge, its version of a starter shingle, to hold the panels down in high winds.
Types of Metal Roofs
Two main kinds of metal roofs come up, standing seam and screw-down panel.
Standing Seam
A standing seam metal roof uses vertical panels locked together at the seams, with the fasteners hidden underneath. These panels are usually coated steel, often finished with zinc or a zinc-aluminum alloy like Galvalume. Standing seam sits at the higher end and works on both homes and commercial buildings. Its strong weather resistance makes it popular on coastal and rural properties, and its clean, modern look is catching on in the suburbs.
Screw-Down Panel
A screw-down panel roof, also called an exposed-fastener roof, is simpler. Panels are screwed down in an overlapping pattern, a bit like asphalt shingles, and the materials are easy to find, even at stores like Home Depot or Lowe's. Screw-down works well over unheated spaces like barns, sheds, and carports. On a heated home, it is a poor choice, since metal expands and contracts as it heats and cools, which can widen the screw holes over time and open the door to leaks.
How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost?
A metal roof is a bigger investment up front than asphalt, since the materials are harder to source and fabricate, so a metal project often runs two to three times the cost of an asphalt shingle replacement. Beyond that multiple, an exact figure is hard to pin down in a blog, since installation cost swings with your location and the size and complexity of your roof, and material prices shift over time. For a real number on your home, a free on-site estimate is the way to go. You can also get a rough idea from our online pricing calculator, which builds a figure from real Triangle-area jobs, though it is a starting point rather than an official estimate and reflects our own pricing rather than other companies'.
What Affects the Cost
Panel type is one piece of the price, and a few other things move it as well. Size is a major factor, since a larger roof simply needs more material and labor. Complexity comes next, meaning how many ridges, valleys, hips, and penetrations your roof has. A simple two-sided roof with no vents costs far less to cover than one with multiple valleys and penetrations. Your metal choice factors in too, since premium coatings and finishes raise the price.
Is a Metal Roof Right for You?
A metal roof costs more than asphalt, but its long life and low upkeep make it a strong long-term value for the right home. Since so much depends on your roof's size, shape, and the metal you pick, the surest way to know your number is a look in person. On Tops Roofing has installed metal roofs across the Raleigh area since 1991, and you can request a free estimate whenever you are ready.
FAQ
How much does a metal roof cost?
Metal roofs usually run two to three times the cost of an asphalt shingle roof. Final pricing depends on the metal, the size and complexity of your roof, and your area, so an on-site estimate is the clearest way to know, with a pricing calculator as a quick starting point.
Why do metal roofs cost more than asphalt?
Metal's materials are harder to source, fabricate, and install than asphalt shingles, which takes more time, skill, and specialized parts, and that added labor and material cost pushes the price higher.
What is the difference between standing seam and screw-down?
Standing seam uses interlocking panels with hidden fasteners and a cleaner, higher-end look, while screw-down uses overlapping panels fastened through the surface. Standing seam suits homes, and screw-down fits unheated buildings like barns and sheds.
How long does a metal roof last?
A well-installed standing seam metal roof can last 40 to 70 years or more, well beyond a typical asphalt roof. Screw-down metal also lasts a long time over unheated structures.
Can I put a screw-down metal roof on my house?
It is not recommended, since as metal heats and cools, it expands and contracts, which can loosen the exposed screws over time and lead to leaks on a heated home. Screw-down is better suited to barns, sheds, and carports.
