Looking to get a realistic budget for your upcoming roof replacement? Understanding the costs involved becomes a key part of your decision-making process. Whether you're planning a roof replacement or embarking on a new construction project. The array of metal roofing options can feel overwhelming, with each type offering its unique benefits and price points. We get it, you want to make the best decision for this investment, right?
At RoofCrafters, we're here to simplify this journey for you. We've been installing metal roofs for three decades. We've guided countless homeowners through this very process. Many of our clients first came to us looking for answers about metal roofing. Now, we're ready to share our expertise with you.
In this article, we'll dive into the top 7 types of metal roofing and their average costs. Knowing the costs of metal options is important to ensure your investment is wise and secure. Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge to make a confident, well-informed decision about your investment. Learning the best metals and the average cost is a great way to maximize your roof investment.
Let's embark on this informative exploration together.
Unraveling the Cost: Key Factors Influencing Your New Metal Roof Investment
The cost of a new metal roof depends on many factors that affect the final price. While the choice of metal is a primary consideration, it's only one piece of the puzzle. But, there are three main elements that determine the cost of your metal roofing project:
- Material Selection: The type of metal you choose sets the foundation for the cost. Each metal option comes with its own price point. Prices are influenced by its durability, aesthetic appeal, and suitability for different environmental conditions.
- Roof Size: The square footage of your roof impacts the amount of material needed and cost. Larger roofs need more materials and labor, resulting in a higher investment.
- Project Complexity and Roof Steepness: The complexity of the roof, including the roof's design and steepness, can also affect the cost. Complex designs and steeper roofs demand extra labor and expertise, increasing the price.
Remember, some metals are better suited for specific climates or regions. Metals have specific qualities for each region to meet performance and durability needs. They offer enhanced longevity in certain environments. Choosing the correct metal is critical for getting the most out of your investment.
Exploring Your Options: 7 Popular Metal Roofing Types and Their Average Costs
Embarking on the journey of selecting a metal roof, you're greeted with a diverse array of options. We made a list of the 7 most commonly used metals in roofing. It also includes their average costs. You can also use our pricing calculator below.
- Copper metal roof - average cost is $22.50 to $32.00per square foot
- Lead metal roof - average cost is $20.00 to $29.00 per square foot
- Zinc metal roof - average cost is $19.00 to $27.00 per square foot
- Terne metal roof - average cost is $18.00 to $25.00 per square foot
- Aluminum metal roof - average cost is $14.50 to $20.00 per square foot
- Steel metal roof - average cost is $10.00 to $19.00 per square foot
- Galvalume metal roof - average cost is $9.00 to $18.00 per square foot
Copper Metal Roofs: A Premium, Lifetime Roofing Solution
Copper is one of the true lifetime metal roof options. It's also one of the rarest types of metal used for roofing. Having non-corrosive or rust-free qualities makes copper one of the most expensive metal materials used for roofing.
Copper was historically used on government buildings, financial institutions, and places of worship. The oldest copper roof on record was installed on the Christ Church in 1727, Copper Adds Elegance to North American Historic Landmarks - That was almost before Jesus! Right? lol
Copper is a soft metal making it easy to work with. Because of its workability and the beauty of the copper aging or turning patina. It's been one of the most prestigious metal roofs of our time.
Having a copper roof installed on your home is like owning a Gulfstream private jet or a Rolls Royce. It's the best of the best. And yes, it's expensive, I'd even add if you have a tight budget and need to ask, “How much is this roof going to cost?” this may not be the right metal option for you.
The average cost of a 3000 square foot home with a 16 oz copper mechanical locking standing seam roof would range between $150,000 to $200,000 depending on the exact size and complexity of the roof.
Lead Metal Roofing: Combining Durability with Unique Aesthetics
Lead roofing is another one of the top materials installed on special roofing projects. Most lead roofs have either a copper or zinc base with a lead-coated finish. This helps to cut down on the overall weight without losing its insulating features.
Lead can be molded to shape and fit special roof designs. It's commonly used on low slopes or flat roof areas. It provides a weathered silver finish that withstands all the sun's UV rays. Lead is a non-corrosive material. Because of this, lead is one of the longest-lasting metal materials available for roofing projects.
Lead is commonly used on commercial buildings and performs extremely well around harsh saltwater weather conditions. If you live on or near saltwater then you know just how harsh the saltwater can be, it destroys most materials in little to no time at all.
Ready for this?
The average cost of a 3000-square-foot home with a lead roof system would range between $124,000 to $186,000 depending on the exact square footage and difficulty of the roof.
Zinc Standing Seam Roofing: A Blend of Modern Style and Global Appeal
Zinc metal roofing is used in standing seam metal roof installations. It's most popular in the European market but has become a very popular roof system here in the United States. Rheinzink based in Germany is the World’s leading producer of zinc roofing.
It is a non-corrosive material, meaning it won’t rust. It's also fire-resistant and fungus-proof. Zinc is a very flexible material that makes it easy to form and flash difficult areas on your roof.
With the proper installation and underlayment, a Zinc roof system will last up to 100 years.
When it patinas it turns to a beautiful natural silver-gray color.
The average cost of a 3000 square foot home with a zinc standing seam roof would range between $125,00k to $170,000 depending on the exact size and complexity of the project.
Terne Metal Roofing: Exploring the Classic 'Tin Roof' and Its Maintenance Needs
Terne metal is commonly referred to as tin. Terne is an old English word for tin or “the metal.” A tin roof has a steel base or core coated with a tin alloy finish. This roof is not as popular as the previously mentioned metal because it does require maintenance. Once the tin alloy coating wears off it will need to be coated to protect the steel from the weather elements or it will deteriorate.
However, because of the cost saving on the materials, it was often installed in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most older cities still have homes and businesses with the original tin roofs. Still intact! As long as the owners of these properties continue to do the maintenance they will be around for many more years.
Tin roofs require the same initial labor cost to install, but as I mentioned, they require roof maintenance and upkeep.
The average cost of a 3000 square foot home with a Tin metal standing seam roof would range between $110,000 to $157,000 depending on the exact size and complexity of the roof.
Now that we've covered what we'd consider "the estate" metal roof types. Let's discuss the most popular metal roofs installed on homes and businesses today. These are what common folk like myself buy!
Top 3 Residential Metal Roofing Materials
The following 3 metal roof materials have been streamlined for easier installation. Which has made them popular for homes and businesses in the United States.
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Galvalume
These 3 metal roofs are practical and cost-effective. They also offer a wide range of aesthetic looks, longevity, and price ranges. Aluminum, steel, and galvalume metal roofing are available in a standing seam panel, shingle-style profile, or screw-down panel.
Aluminum Metal Roofing: The Optimal Choice for Energy Efficiency and Durability
Aluminum metal is one of the most natural energy-efficient roof materials. It's highly reflective, fire-resistant, and non-corrosive. So, if you live on or near the ocean or saltwater this is a great choice of metal roofing because it will not rust.
Aluminum metal comes in different thicknesses. For roofing, we use a .032, .040, or .050 thickness. The higher the number the thicker the metal. Thicknesses of .032 and .040 are most popular on roofs. The .050 is used on industrial or commercial properties.
Aluminum also comes in a mill finish or a painted finish. Mill finish will provide you with a raw metal look and will oxidize into a naturally beautiful raw metal finish. Aluminum also comes in a wide variety of paint colors. Most of the paint finishes come with a 40-year paint warranty with some manufacturers offering a 45-year paint finish warranty.
Standing seam aluminum metal roofs require a very high skill set to get a properly installed roof. It'll last you 75+ years if the workmanship is done right. Because aluminum is a softer material it makes it easier for an installer to fabricate the flashings and custom metal work needed to get a great finished roof.
The average cost of a 2000-square-foot home with an aluminum standing seam roof would range between $43,000 to $65,000 depending on the exact size and complexity of the roof.
Steel Metal Roofing: A Popular and Cost-Effective Solution
Steel roofing is the most popular material used for metal roofing. Stee is galvanized metal hot dipped, or coated in a zinc coating. Steel is less expensive and can be just as effective and efficient as the other metals.
The steel most widely used for roofing comes in 24 gauge, 26 gauge, and 29 gauge. Don't be fooled, unlike aluminum, the lower the number the thicker the steel roofing. The 24 gauge steel is more popular for residential applications.
4 of the most common steel roofing profile that is installed on homes or commercial projects:
- Standing seam metal panels (12”-18” wide panels)
- Interlocking steel shingles (slate or shake look)
- 5-V crimp metal roofing (2-foot wide panels
- Maxi-rib or multi-rib panels (3-foot wide panels)
Because steel is a corrosive metal it requires a paint finish. Paint finish warranties range from 20 years to 45 years. Depending on the thickness, type of panel, and the manufacturer of the materials.
Steel metal roofing is cost-effective and offers a wider range of prices depending on which profile you choose, the thickness of the metal, and the paint warranty. This is a great option if you are looking for the perfect color metal to put on your home.
The average cost of a 2000-square-foot home with a painted finish steel standing seam roof would range between $36,000 to $55,000 depending on the exact size and complexity of the roof.
Galvalume Metal Roofing: Combining Strength and Corrosion Resistance
Galvalume metal is a metal that has a steel core and is coated with aluminum to prevent corrosion. Much like steel roofing and it comes in the same thicknesses, 24 gauge, 26 gauge, or 29 gauge. It's available in all 4 of the panel profiles. The 24 gauge galvalume is the most popular for residential installations.
The difference with galvalume is that it comes as a mill-finish metal product. This makes it slightly less expensive. It's easier to work with because the painted materials can get scratched during installation. It's also a great option to use around the ocean or if you live anywhere near saltwater with high winds that produce a salt spray.
The average cost of a 2000-square-foot home with a galvalume metal roof would range between $34,000 to $52,000 depending on which thickness of metal, the profile you select, and the exact size and complexity of the roof.
Ok, now you know the different types of metal, the 3 most popular metals, and their average cost. You may be asking, "Which metal roof is right for you?"
Choosing the Ideal Metal Roof: Key Factors for Your Home or Business
When deciding which metal roofing to choose for your home or business. We'd encourage you to consider these factors:
- Longevity
- Durability
- Wind Resistance
- Maintenance
- Tree coverage
- Energy efficiency
- Desired Curb Appeal
Is your home or property located in Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina? If so and you'd like to discuss metal options with one of our professional metal estimators at RoofCrafters, click the schedule inspection button below.
Also, feel free to browse our roofing learning center and check out the other roofing resources we have available to help guide you along your roof replacement journey.
