Metal roofs are becoming more popular among homeowners and businesses because they are durable and long-lasting. While the initial cost of a metal roof installation is twice as much as asphalt shingle roofing, the long-term savings outweigh the short-term fees.
So how much does a roof metal cost?
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $6.00 – $20.00 per square foot on their metal roof plus labour fees, the price is depending on the quality of the roof materials. While the price range is very diverse, there are many factors that affect the average cost of a metal roof installation.
Factors That Affect Metal Roof Costs
Metal Roof Slope
The type of roof you have will also affect the metal roofing cost. Flat roofs require different types of sealants, metal shingles, fasteners and labour than steeply-sloped roofs. However, the incline on a sloped roof can increase the labour costs because it affects the complexity of the job.
Size of Roof
Bigger roofs need more materials and labour to place. This means it will cost more to install a large metal roof than on smaller housetops. Materials and labour are usually charged per square footage so the bigger the area, the higher the cost.
Type of Metal Roof Panels
Metal roof sheets are made of aluminum or steel. They come in interlocking or overlapping designs and have different types of coating applications. The type and style of panels and sealants affect the overall installation price, as well. The types of metal roof panels available are:
- Economy Metal Roofs
Economy roofs are the cheapest type of metal roofing material. They are great for agricultural and commercial use. Economy metal sheets contain lower-grade steel alloy and paint finishing. This, in turn, makes regular maintenance for them a necessity. On average, they cost $4.50 – $6.50 per square foot.
- Steel Roof Sheets
Steel roofs have interlocking panels. Higher-quality steel is an accepted standard for roofing in materials in Canada. The average cost of a steel metal roof ranges from $8.50 – $10.00 per square foot.
- Aluminum Roof Sheets
Aluminum panels are fantastic for residential use and are the most energy-efficient. They are interlocking and sealed with PVDF coating. They can be applied over asphalt shingles so tear-down and disposal costs are lower. The average cost of aluminum metal roof installation is between $9.50 – $12.00 per square foot.
- Standing Seam Metal Roof
This type of roof is ideal for commercial use only because it does not expand nor contract in hot and cold temperatures. Standing seam panels are made of aluminum or steel. The average cost to install this type of roof is $12.00 – $16.00 per square foot for steel panels and $16.00 – $20.00 per square foot for aluminum panels. Standing seam roofs can be installed over existing asphalt shingles.
Other factors that affect the metal roof cost per square feet are thickness of the metal panels, quality of finishing paint, location of the home and underlays. In addition, installing a metal roof requires specialised training. This means you should also factor in the cost of hiring a professional metal roof contractor.