Planning estimate only. Real quotes vary with access, deck condition, local code, and contractor. Always get itemized bids.
Project
Roof size
Roof complexity
Home height
Existing roof being removed
Roof decking (sheathing) replacement
Data sources
Regional pricing blends BLS roofer wages (May 2025) and BEA Regional Price Parities (2023) across 376 metros and all 51 states, where the national average is 100. Installed prices are cross-checked across independent 2026 trade cost guides. Federal tax status per the IRS.
Every roofing calculator
Sixteen tools for pricing, measuring, and planning a roof.
Metal roofing costs, explained
Every figure below comes from the same verified data the calculator runs on.
How much does a metal roof cost in 2026?
Metal roof cost per square foot runs $7.50 to $25.00 installed at the US average, because metal isn't one material. It's a family that stretches from exposed-fastener steel panels to copper. Replacing the reference roof, 2,000 square feet at a 6:12 pitch, in standing seam costs $42,550 all-in: $36,400 of materials and labor plus tear-off, disposal, and the permit. The calculator prices any of the metals below for your roof and your ZIP.
Metal roof cost by type
Installed prices per square foot at the US average, with the full replacement total for the reference roof next to them so the differences feel real. Lifespans are typical InterNACHI-anchored figures.
| Metal type | Per sq ft | Reference roof, replaced | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposed-fastener steel | $7.50 | $25,650 | 40 years |
| Stone-coated steel | $11.00 | $34,750 | 50 years |
| Standing seam (steel/aluminum) | $14.00 | $42,550 | 50 years |
| Zinc | $20.00 | $58,150 | 80 years |
| Copper | $25.00 | $71,150 | 85 years |
Exposed-fastener steel
The budget door into metal. Screwed-down panels, fast installs, an honest 40-year typical life. The fastener gaskets are the maintenance point: they're the usual reason these roofs need attention decades before the steel does.
Stone-coated steel
Steel strength under a granular finish that reads as shingle or tile from the street. A popular pick when the HOA won't love bare panels.
Standing seam
The premium standard. Concealed fasteners, clean vertical lines, and the best weather protection of the mainstream metals. It's what most people picture when they say modern metal roof.
Zinc and copper
The century-class metals. Zinc self-heals scratches under its patina and typically runs about 80 years. Copper typically hits 85, and well-kept copper roofs pass 100. You're buying a roof measured in generations, and the price reflects it.
Metal roof vs shingles cost
Upfront, shingles win: architectural asphalt installs at $6.50 per square foot against $7.50 for the cheapest metal. Over time, it flips. On a 24-square roof, exposed-fastener steel installs at $18,000 and typically lasts 40 years, which is $450 per year of service. Architectural asphalt installs at $15,600 but typically lasts 28 years, which is $557 per year. The cheaper roof up front is the more expensive roof per year, and you'd buy asphalt twice before the steel wears out. The material comparison tool runs that math for every material at your roof size.
Metal prices are moving in 2026
Fair warning if you're collecting quotes: Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs sit at 50 percent, in effect since mid-2025, and 2026 producer prices show aluminum up about 33 percent and steel up about 20.7 percent year over year. Metal quotes are current, not durable. Don't sit on a bid for months and expect the number to hold.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest metal roof?
Exposed-fastener steel, at $750 per square installed at the US average, about $7.50 per square foot. The tradeoff is the exposed fasteners themselves, whose gaskets need periodic attention over the roof's 40-year typical life.
How much does a standing seam metal roof cost?
$1,400 per square installed at the US average, about $14.00 per square foot. Replacing the reference roof in standing seam totals $42,550 with tear-off, disposal, and permit included. The calculator localizes that to your ZIP.
Does a metal roof cost more to tear off later?
No. A single metal layer tears off like a single asphalt layer, $100 to $300 per square. The heavy rates apply to tile, slate, and multi-layer roofs.