How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost? Price by Type and Size
A metal roof typically costs about $5 to $16 per square foot installed, which is roughly $10,000 to $32,000 for a 2,000 square foot roof. Corrugated steel panels sit at the bottom of that range, standing seam steel in the middle to upper part, and aluminum, zinc and copper above it. Cost guides disagree most about the premium metals, so the figures below are ranges, not prices.
Metal roof cost by type
| Type | Installed per sq ft | Per square (100 sq ft) | For a 2,000 sq ft roof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated or ribbed steel | $5 to $12 | $500 to $1,200 | $10,000 to $24,000 |
| Standing seam steel | $9 to $16 | $900 to $1,600 | $18,000 to $32,000 |
| Aluminum | $7 to $18 | $700 to $1,800 | $14,000 to $36,000 |
| Zinc | $10 to $35 | $1,000 to $3,500 | $20,000 to $70,000 |
| Copper | $13 to $35 | $1,300 to $3,500 | $26,000 to $70,000 |
The ranges combine HomeGuide’s and Angi’s 2026 cost guides. HomeGuide puts corrugated at $5 to $12 and standing seam at $9 to $16; Angi’s standing seam figures run higher, up to about $18 for aluminum and $35 for zinc and copper. The metal and the panel profile do most of the work in the price, as standing seam against corrugated metal explains.
What moves the price
- Panel type. Standing seam panels are usually formed to length and take a skilled crew and a seaming tool, which is why they cost more than exposed-fastener panels.
- Metal and thickness. Thicker steel costs more than thin steel, and the non-steel metals cost more again.
- Roof complexity. Valleys, dormers and many penetrations mean more cutting, trim and flashing, and more labor.
- Underlayment and trim. Metal roofs call for underlayment rated for the heat under the panels, plus ridge, eave and rake trim, none of which a per-panel price includes.
- Tear-off and decking. The cost of removing the old roof and repairing the deck beneath it is the same as for any replacement, as how much a new roof costs covers.
- Region. Labor rates and material freight vary by area.
Metal against asphalt over the life of the roof
A metal roof costs more on the day it goes on and less per year of service. Dividing the cost of a 2,000 square foot roof by its expected life gives a rough yearly figure:
| Roof | Cost | Typical life | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt, architectural | $9,000 to $14,000 | 15 to 30 years | $300 to $930 |
| Corrugated steel | $10,000 to $24,000 | 40 to 70 years | $140 to $600 |
| Standing seam steel | $18,000 to $32,000 | 40 to 70 years | $260 to $800 |
This is simple division, with no allowance for maintenance, financing or how long you will own the house. The roof lifetime cost calculator does the same sum for your own prices, and which roofing material costs least over time explains the other factors.
Doing the work yourself
Labor is typically 40 to 60 percent of a roof replacement, so a homeowner who installs the roof saves a large share of the price. That is realistic for corrugated panels on a simple roof or a shed, as installing a metal roof on a shed shows. It is not realistic for standing seam, which needs specialized tools and skill.
How to price your own roof
Start with the roof area, then let the metal roofing calculator count the panels, trim and fasteners for it. Multiply a local price per square foot by the area with the roof replacement cost estimator, then get three quotes on the same scope. Metal roofs: pros, cons, costs and lifespan covers whether the extra cost suits your house, and cost per square foot compares it with the other materials.
More roofing cost guides
- How much a new roof costs
- Roof replacement cost per square foot
- How much it costs to repair a roof
- How much a flat roof costs to replace
- How to pay for a roof replacement
- Does home insurance pay for a new roof?
- What extra costs appear after a roofing estimate
- What factors affect the cost of a roof replacement
- Why roofing estimates differ so much
- Which roofing material costs least over time
- Does a new roof increase your home’s value?
The roof replacement cost estimator, roof quote calculator and roof financing calculator work from your own numbers.
Conclusion
Metal roof cost runs from about $5 per square foot for corrugated steel to $35 for copper, and where yours lands depends on the metal, the panel type and how complicated the roof is. Judge it per year of service rather than on the day it goes on, and use local quotes to fix the final figure.
