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A metal roof costs more than asphalt upfront, but it can be the last roof you ever install. For a typical home, plan on $15,000 to $40,000, averaging around $25,000, with the metal type and panel style driving most of the spread.
What you’re paying for
Material and labor dominate the quote. Metal panels and skilled installation cost more than asphalt, and you’re also paying for underlayment, fasteners, trim, flashing, and tear-off of the old roof. Premium metals like copper or zinc sit far above steel and aluminum.
Cost by metal type
The metal you choose is the biggest single variable — a budget corrugated-steel roof and a copper standing-seam roof can differ by 4–5× per square foot. The table below shows typical installed pricing by material.
Standing seam vs. panels vs. shingles
Standing seam — sleek vertical panels with hidden fasteners — is the premium choice and the most expensive to install, but it’s also the most weather-tight and the look most homeowners want. Exposed-fastener panels are the budget route; the fasteners are visible and their gaskets need eventual attention. Metal shingles mimic slate or shake while keeping metal’s longevity. Your pick here can swing the total by tens of thousands on a large home.
The long-term math
The reason people pay the premium is lifespan. Asphalt needs replacing every 25–30 years; a steel or aluminum roof lasts 40–70, and copper or zinc can outlive the house. Spread over decades — and factoring in possible insurance and energy savings — the higher upfront cost often pencils out for homeowners staying put.
How to save on a metal roof
- Choose steel or aluminum over copper or zinc.
- Consider exposed-fastener panels if budget matters more than appearance.
- Install over existing shingles where code and decking allow, to skip tear-off.
- Get quotes from metal-roofing specialists — general roofers often charge more for unfamiliar work.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metal panels / shingles | $8,000 – $22,000 | – |
| Installation labor | $5,000 – $12,000 | – |
| Underlayment & fasteners | $1,000 – $3,000 | – |
| Tear-off & disposal | $1,000 – $3,000 | – |
| Trim & flashing | $1,000 – $3,000 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated steel (exposed fastener) | $6 – $12 / sq ft | Budget option |
| Steel standing seam | $10 – $16 / sq ft | – |
| Aluminum standing seam | $12 – $18 / sq ft | – |
| Metal shingles / tiles | $10 – $20 / sq ft | – |
| Copper | $20 – $40 / sq ft | Premium, very long-lived |
| Zinc | $18 – $35 / sq ft | – |
What affects the price
- Metal type Steel and aluminum run $10–$18 per sq ft installed; copper and zinc are premium at $20–$40 per sq ft.
- Panel style Standing seam costs more than exposed-fastener panels or metal shingles.
- Roof size & complexity More squares and more angles mean more material and skilled labor.
- Coating & finish Premium Kynar/PVDF coatings improve durability and color retention at a higher price.
- Tear-off Removing the old roof adds labor and disposal; some metal can go over existing shingles where code allows.
Metal roof cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical metal roof job costs about $17,600 to $46,800 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $12,800 to $34,000 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $13,100 – $34,800 |
| Alaska | $17,300 – $46,000 |
| Arizona | $14,300 – $38,000 |
| Arkansas | $12,800 – $34,000 |
| California | $16,800 – $44,800 |
| Colorado | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Connecticut | $16,100 – $42,800 |
| Delaware | $14,700 – $39,200 |
| District of Columbia | $16,200 – $43,200 |
| Florida | $13,700 – $36,400 |
| Georgia | $13,800 – $36,800 |
| Hawaii | $17,600 – $46,800 |
| Idaho | $14,100 – $37,600 |
| Illinois | $17,300 – $46,000 |
| Indiana | $15,200 – $40,400 |
| Iowa | $14,600 – $38,800 |
| Kansas | $14,300 – $38,000 |
| Kentucky | $14,000 – $37,200 |
| Louisiana | $13,500 – $36,000 |
| Maine | $14,700 – $39,200 |
| Maryland | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Massachusetts | $17,300 – $46,000 |
| Michigan | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Minnesota | $16,400 – $43,600 |
| Mississippi | $13,100 – $34,800 |
| Missouri | $15,300 – $40,800 |
| Montana | $14,700 – $39,200 |
| Nebraska | $14,100 – $37,600 |
| Nevada | $15,500 – $41,200 |
| New Hampshire | $14,900 – $39,600 |
| New Jersey | $17,100 – $45,600 |
| New Mexico | $13,800 – $36,800 |
| New York | $16,500 – $44,000 |
| North Carolina | $13,500 – $36,000 |
| North Dakota | $15,200 – $40,400 |
| Ohio | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Oklahoma | $13,700 – $36,400 |
| Oregon | $16,500 – $44,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,200 – $40,400 |
| Rhode Island | $15,600 – $41,600 |
| South Carolina | $13,700 – $36,400 |
| South Dakota | $13,500 – $36,000 |
| Tennessee | $13,800 – $36,800 |
| Texas | $13,700 – $36,400 |
| Utah | $14,100 – $37,600 |
| Vermont | $14,600 – $38,800 |
| Virginia | $14,300 – $38,000 |
| Washington | $17,400 – $46,400 |
| West Virginia | $14,300 – $38,000 |
| Wisconsin | $15,600 – $41,600 |
| Wyoming | $14,900 – $39,600 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- Is a metal roof worth the extra cost?
- Over the long run, often yes. A metal roof lasts 40–70 years versus 25–30 for asphalt, so it can be the last roof you ever buy, and it may lower cooling bills and qualify for insurance discounts.
- How much does a metal roof cost per square foot?
- Installed metal roofing runs about $10–$35 per square foot — steel and aluminum at $10–$18, premium copper and zinc at $20–$40 — roughly two to three times the cost of asphalt shingles.
- Standing seam vs. metal shingles — which is cheaper?
- Exposed-fastener panels and metal shingles are the budget options; standing seam, with its concealed fasteners and clean look, costs more to manufacture and install.
- Are metal roofs noisy in the rain?
- With solid decking and underlayment, a modern metal roof is no louder than asphalt. The 'tin roof' sound mostly applies to bare panels over open framing.
- How long does a metal roof last?
- Steel and aluminum roofs last 40–70 years; copper and zinc can last 100+ years. Most carry 30–50 year finish warranties.
- Can metal go over an existing roof?
- Often yes — metal is light enough to install over one layer of asphalt where local code permits, which saves on tear-off. A pro should confirm the decking and code allow it.
- Does a metal roof lower insurance?
- Many insurers offer discounts for impact- and fire-resistant metal roofing, especially in hail- or wildfire-prone regions. Ask your carrier.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources:
- How Much Does a Standing Seam Metal Roof Cost? (2026 Data), Angi
- 2026 Standing Seam Metal Roof Cost, HomeGuide
- Standing Seam Metal Roof Cost (2026), Today's Homeowner