The Price of Sheet Metal Roofing 2024

Sheet metal roofs are beautiful, environmentally-friendly, and keep your home the right temperature regardless if it's winter or summer. Sheet metal roofing is a serious investment, and for most, it is well worth it!

Sheet metal roofs have an exceptional longevity and can last for up to 50 years if taken care of correctly. But of course, there are numerous factors at play when considering installing a sheet metal roof, and one of them is cost.

Most metal roofing companies tend to keep prices under wraps, as there are many different elements that can affect the price of the material and installation process. Luckily, if you’re interested in owning a sheet metal roof, we are here to break down how pricing will work!

Factors that affect the price of sheet metal roofing

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There are several factors that affect the prices of installing a sheet metal roof, and all must be taken into consideration. These include the condition of your current roof, the shape of the structure itself including the slope and dimensions. The location of your property, as well as the accessibility of your roof, are other factors that will play into the cost. These are only the physical factors to consider, as there is also the price of labour.

Depending on whether you choose to hire a general contractor or a project manager whose specialty is metal roofing, prices will greatly vary. Hiring someone who is skilled in understanding metal roofing will be invaluable, as this individual should understand and be able to recommend tips for proper ventilation, insulation as well as maintenance and management.

However, it is very likely that a project manager who understands metal roofing will charge more initially then a general contractor might, though the information they provide will be invaluable. It is important to consider all of these factors before going forward with your sheet metal roofing project. 

Different metal types

Residential metal roofing prices have a wide range, and as we have already mentioned, this will directly depend on a range of factors as well as the material itself. However, here is the cost breakdown of specific types of sheet metal, alongside their individual pros and cons.

Low-end metal roofing material

Low-end metal roofing is generally reserved for agricultural or commercial use as this material will have a lower grade finish in place, and thus, may not be suitable for a home. However, homeowners on a budget may choose to use a low-end metal roofing material.

Further, low-end metal roofing will have minimal flashing, and sealants in place may be of lower grade. There could be other problematic factors, including the manufacturing and installation process of battens as well as strapping.

Price: $4-$10 per square foot

Steel

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Steel Standing: there is a range of quality and finishes for steel sheet metal roofing, moving from high end to low end.  On the higher end of the spectrum would be galvanized steel or galvalume steel, which has a high-quality coating system and a higher life expectancy. This roofing system will require battens and straps for installation, whereas higher-end steel will not.

Price: $10-$15 per square foot

High-end steel: High-end steel roofing materials will come equipped with accessories and trims that will be more consistent in quality as they will likely be factory-formed. Further, this style of sheet metal will not require battens and straps for the installation, as this material is generally sold in the form of interlocking panels.

Price: $12-$30 per square foot

Aluminum roofing

High-end aluminum is one of the toughest roofing materials on the market. When installed by a professional, your roof will have a lifetime warranty. Aluminum sheet metal is an incredibly energy-efficient system because of its high emissivity and is therefore great for the environmentally-conscious homeowner.

With a specific coating in place, high-end steel roofing is sometimes classified as a “cool roof” as they work to deflect the sun rays away from the building. Further, high-end aluminum will never rust, and so will not need to be replaced.

Also, it is possible to install aluminum roofing over existing asphalt shingles, which can save you significant costs on tear down.

Price: $7-$12 per square foot

Aluminum standing seam

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This is one of the most expensive roofing materials and is less common than steel standing seam roofing. This is another roofing material that has incredible longevity, as it will not buckle or bend over time.

Price: $14-$25 per square foot

Exotic sheet metal roofing

Copper or mill finished zinc roofing materials are available as both standing seam panels or shingles. These roofing materials are not recommended for covering your entire roof, but instead, are reserved for accents or specialty projects. These metals are not always readily available or accessible due to their high price point alongside the need for an expert to install them.

Price: $20-30 per square foot