Roof Cost Comparison Guide

Though the cost of this project is substantial, replacing a problem roof sooner rather than later will spare you added repair costs. Roofs keep moisture and inclement climate conditions from destroying your home. Plus, this project generally raises property value.

Estimating Roofing Costs

When calculating the cost of a new roof, remember that you'll have a variety to choose from which can impact cost. Contractors will estimate their rate based on factors, including:

• Size
• Slope
• Complexity
• Accessibility
• Existing roof
• Material type
• Underlayment and accessories
• Ventilation
• Flashing
• Labor
• Scope of work
• Project size (part of or whole roof)

Before you hire a contractor, confirm that they have the proper license and insurance to avoid legal problems.

Cost of Metal Roofs vs. Shingles

Installing metal roofs cost $5,000 to $12,000 and asphalt options are $5,000 to $10,000. The majority of homes in the United States have asphalt shingles because they're affordable and easy to install and repair. However, metal styles are gaining popularity for their beauty, energy efficiency and durability in extreme weather and climates.

Cost Difference Between Metal Roof versus Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles range from $100 to $150 per square (or 100 square feet) and metal roofing ranges from $300 up to $1,800 per square. The price for asphalt is much less than the price of metal roofing. In fact, the total asphalt shingle roof price is less than half of metal.

Why Is Metal Roofing Better Than Asphalt?

Why choose metal over asphalt? The biggest reason is its longevity. It can last 50 years or more with little maintenance, whereas you’ll have to replace asphalt every 15 to 30 years.

Other benefits of metal are:

• Energy efficiency, saving up to 40% on energy costs.
• Reflective styles cut down on cooling costs.
• Emissive styles cut down on greenhouse gases and hot temperatures.

Metal vs. Asphalt Pros & Cons

Below is a breakdown of major differences between asphalt shingle and metal. You can explore the pros and cons further in our guide to metal vs. asphalt:

Metal Shingle Roof Costs

Metal roofs that look like shingles cost $275 to $375 per square in material costs. Metal sheets are typically $100 to $200 per square in material costs. Standing seam panels cost $400 to $700 per square – a much more expensive sheet option.

Metal shake roofing and shingles are:

• Comparable in price to regular shingles
• Lighter and easier to install than clay and concrete
• Installed much like regular shingles
• Available in imitation wood, slate and tile.

Cost to Install Metal Roof over Shingles

It costs $400 to $700 per square to install a low- to mid-range metal roof over asphalt or wood shingles. There are a few things to know before pursuing this project:

• Most regulations won’t allow more than two layers of roofing.
• Installation will still require added wood framing and underlayment.
• The decking may not be in a condition to support the weight

Cost to Paint a Metal Roof

Painting a metal roof costs $1,000 to $3,500. You can have it painted in any finish, color or style you want. There are special coats available from low to premium quality. Investing in the premium quality will cost a few hundred dollars more, but it often comes with a lifetime warranty and looks better.

Roofing Material Types & Prices

If you choose not to install asphalt or metal, there are various other materials to choose from. Any type of shingle roofing will cost anywhere from $4,000 up to $120,000 with installation.

Below, you’ll find the prices, life expectancies and material-specific features of other common roofing products.

Plastic Polymer Costs

Plastic polymer costs $400 to $1,200 per square and comes styles that imitate wood, tile and slate. These materials are repurposed recycled plastic and are not composites of other materials.

• Lightweight
• Easy installation
• Requires very little maintenance
• Durability varies
• Long-lasting
• Fire-resistant
• Expensive upfront price

Clay Tiles Cost

Clay tiles cost $800 to $1,800 per square. They are natural clay and resemble what you'd see on an Italian or Spanish home, though some varieties resemble wood shake or slate tile.

• All-natural material
• Long-lasting
• Require little maintenance
• Heavy and require reinforced framing on the structure
• Hold up well against fire and wind.
• Expensive to install

Slate Tiles Cost

Slate tiles are priced at $500 to $1,700 per square and are also natural clay and also appear like Spanish, Italian or wood shake, depending on their design. There are many pros and cons of slate roofing:

• Brittle if handled incorrectly
• Last for a long time
• Require little maintenance
• They're expensive to install
• Come in a wide variety of colors and styles

Wood Shake Costs

Wood shake costs $250 to $600 per square. It is a natural material, often made from cedar and redwood, which helps it resist rot during inclement weather. They’ll last longer with proper care, so read our guide to making roofs last.

• Natural look
• Over time it wears down to a silvery grey color
• Either installed as shingles or shakes
• Handles wind well
• Shorter lifespan (though premium grade options last 50+ years)
• Requires regular maintenance
• Has low fire resistance unless treated with a retardant

Concrete or Cement Tiles Cost

A square of concrete or cement tile is priced at $150 to $250. They mimic the appearance of wood or ceramic tiles without being fragile or burning during a fire.

• Lasts for a long time
• Doesn't require much maintenance
• Handles inclement climate conditions well, including fire and wind
• Can be brittle and break during installation
• Expensive to install due to weight and added structural material

Cost Factors to Consider Before Installing a New Roof

When installing a roof, there are various other factors that play into the price. Some factors you should consider are:

• Accessibility: If your roof is difficult to access, has power lines nearby or tree branches, the rate to install or replace it will increase.
• Type of home: The taller your house is, the more expensive it will be because of the danger involved with the height.
• Structural issues: If the framework is damaged, you'll pay additional charges to have it repaired before installation proceeds.
• Permits and licenses: The cost to obtain permits and the proper licenses could play into the total price of your installation.
• Location: Labor rates vary greatly across the United States.

Be sure you speak in-depth with several contractors ahead of the project so you know exactly what you're paying for. Here are some other common factors to keep in mind before you proceed with a replacement or installation.

Re-Roofing vs. Roof Replacement

If you're replacing your roof, your estimate will include removing the old shingles. Disposing of the old materials increases labor and overhead costs.

In some cases, you can install new shingles over the old ones. This is known as re-roofing and is often less expensive. However, this method may be too heavy for the decking structure. Most building codes states that if you have two or more layers of roofing, you must remove them.

Warranties

There are two roofing warranties to keep in mind the manufacturer's warranty for defects in material and another warranty from the contractor to cover installation problems. Read them carefully to know what's covered or not. You don't want to pay for a lot of repairs and maintenance because the warranties don't cover what they should.

Replacing Gutter and Flashing

You could save money if you replace your gutters and flashing during your roofing project. Your project will be more expensive upfront, but building this work into your total is often less expensive than having them installed as a separate project.

Mobile Home Roof Replacement Costs

Mobile home roofing costs $1,000 to $3,000 to replace. These calculations are for single-wide size homes, which are 600 to 1,300 square feet. Two of the most popular options for materials are metal and asphalt. Using higher-end materials on larger homes will come at higher rates. Other common options for mobile home roofing include:

• Rubber Membrane: Rubber sheeting that goes over exiting materials.
• Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Membrane: Plastic/rubber combination that is good for flat and low-pitched roofs.

Roof Calculator (area, pitch, slope)

Every roof type is a shape: squares, rectangles, trapezoids and triangles. Below are some tips for making the calculations yourself, or you can use our roofing calculator.

Calculate a Roof's Area

To calculate the area of your roof, you need to multiply the length and width of your roof to get a rough estimate.

Use a tape measurer to find out the length and width and then multiply the two numbers to get the area. You can also get a rough measurement by measuring one floor of your home. If a single floor of your home is roughly 1,200 square feet, your roof should be around that square footage as well.

Calculate Pitch & Slope

Then you'll need to calculate pitch and slope.

• Pitch is the rise of the roof divided by the span (rise/span).
• Slope is the rise over run of the roof (rise/run).

You don’t have to go on the roof to calculate the pitch or slope. There is a pitch card available from manufacturers that you can use from the ground. Roofs usually have one of three pitches, unless they're designed specifically for a special type of home:

• Low pitch: rises 3 inches every 12 inches
• Medium pitch: rises 6 to 9 inches every 12 inches
• High pitch: rises 9 inches for every 12 inches

Once you have the pitch or slope and the sum of all of the sides, you can come up with a rough estimate of the actual area using the pitch table.

So using the first example, if your roof with a tape measure is 1,200 square feet with a pitch of 3/12, that means your actual square footage can be calculated as:

There will be extra calculations for eaves and overhangs, but contractors will know how to do these calculations, so be sure to consult with them before buying the materials.

Roof Estimates & Cost

Estimating roof size is crucial in determining your material needs. Precision ensures accurate estimations for materials and accessories. Inaccurate measurements could lead to unnecessary spending. Double-check with the professional on your measurements before moving forward.

FAQs

What is the cheapest roofing material?

Asphalt shingles are the cheapest roofing material at $100 to $150 per square. Standard styles of metal and concrete are also low-priced options.

Is a metal roof cheaper than shingles?

Metal roofs are $120 to $900 per square and are not usually cheaper than asphalt shingles, which are $100 to $150 per square. They will also cost more to install, ranging from $70 to $500 per square in labor versus $50 to $175 per square for asphalt (not including overhead expenses). However, metal will last two to even five times as long as asphalt and could be a better value.

There are high-end asphalt products that exceed the price of standard metal roofs and there are also low-cost metal roofs that run close to the price of asphalt. For the most part, however, metal will be more expensive than asphalt.

Tile roof costs vs. shingles - which is cheaper?

Asphalt shingles are usually cheaper than both concrete and clay tile roofing. Asphalt is $100 to $150 per square and is easy to install, versus concrete at $150 to $250 per square and clay at $800 to $1,800 per square. When you add labor, it’s often more expensive to install tile because of the weight and process.

What are my options for a cheap alternative roof material?

Rolled roofing is a cheap alternative material that you can only use in specific situations. It is not intended for most residential applications. Rolled styles work for some garages and sheds, but can’t offer quality protection for homes. The best option for low-cost roofing is asphalt.