What a metal roof costs
In 2026, professionally installed metal roofing runs $8 to $14 per square foot for most homes — $800 to $1,400 per roofing square. A 1,800 sq ft two-story home with a moderate pitch typically lands between $18,000 and $30,000. The spread comes mostly from panel type: exposed-fastener panels (corrugated, 5-rib) anchor the low end at $8–$10/sq ft, while standing seam — concealed fasteners, crimped vertical seams — runs $11–$16/sq ft. Premium metals push higher still: aluminum adds 10–20% over steel, and copper or zinc can triple the bill.
Why labor dominates metal pricing
Metal panels themselves cost more than shingles, but the bigger difference is labor. Standing seam requires panel-by-panel mechanical seaming, precise flashing work, and crews that specialize in it — figure 40–60% more labor cost than asphalt, and more in markets with few metal crews. Complex roofs hurt more in metal than in asphalt: every valley, dormer, and penetration means custom-bent trim rather than a bundle of shingles cut on site.
Lifespan and total cost of ownership
A quality steel roof lasts 40–70 years; aluminum and standing seam systems routinely outlive the people who buy them. Over a 50-year horizon, one metal roof often beats two-plus asphalt roofs on total cost, and that's before energy savings: reflective "cool roof" coatings cut summer cooling loads 10–25% in hot climates. Many insurers discount premiums for metal in hail and wildfire regions, though some charge more for cosmetic-damage exclusions — ask before you buy.
Tear-off, weight, and what's under the panels
Metal is light (about 1–1.5 lb/sq ft versus 2.5–4 for asphalt), so structure is rarely an issue, and many codes allow installation over one existing shingle layer with furring or an underlayment barrier. A full tear-off still adds $1.00–$1.50 per sq ft plus disposal but gives the installer a clean deck to find rot before it becomes a leak. Either way, insist on a high-temp synthetic or peel-and-stick underlayment — it's cheap insurance under a 50-year roof.
Reading your estimate
The calculator prices a mid-market metal system with the labor premium built in, adjusted for pitch, stories, and your state's cost index. Bids below the range usually mean exposed-fastener panels quoted against a standing-seam expectation — make sure you're comparing the same system, the same gauge (24-gauge steel is the residential standard; 26 and 29 are thinner and cheaper), and the same paint finish. A PVDF (Kynar) finish costs more than polyester but holds color for decades; on a roof you'll own for 50 years, it's the right default.