2026 metal roofing costs
Metal Roof Cost
Enter your roof size and pitch for a 2026 metal roofing estimate with the material and labor split shown separately.
A metal roof costs roughly $12 to $18 per square foot installed in 2026, or about $20,000 to $31,000 on a 1,700 sq ft home. Exposed-fastener panels sit at the low end and standing seam at the high end.
Estimate a metal roof
Enter the house footprint; pitch is applied to get true roof area.
Estimated total
—
materials + labor + permit
- Materials 49% · $4,034
- Labor 45% · $3,703
- Permit 6% · $500
Material breakdown
| Material | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Panel 3-Feet x 12-Feet Ribbed Chestnut Brown Steel Roof Panel | 30.81 EA | $2,146 – $3,029 |
| Ridge Cap | 11 EA | $198 – $385 |
| Metal Roofing Screws | 4.41 BOX | $154 – $264 |
| ShingleLayment 15-GRE 48-in x 250-ft 1000-sq ft Synthetic Roof Underlayment | 1.11 EA | $74 – $104 |
| 2-in x 10-ft Black Galvanized steel Drip Edge | 13.2 EA | $68 – $95 |
| Sealant/Caulk | 6.6 TUBE | $40 – $79 |
| Pipe Flashing | 2.21 EA | $33 – $77 |
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What drives metal roofing cost
The system matters more than the metal. Exposed-fastener corrugated panels are the cheapest way to get a metal roof and run $4 to $9 per square foot installed, but the gaskets under those exposed screws are a maintenance item every 10 to 20 years. Standing seam hides its fasteners under the seam and runs $12 to $18, with nothing to re-torque later.
Gauge and coating change the number too. 26-gauge steel is standard residential; 24-gauge is stiffer and costs more. A Kynar 500 (PVDF) finish holds colour far longer than a polyester coating and is worth the premium on any roof you intend to keep.
Metal versus asphalt over time
Metal costs about two to three times asphalt up front and lasts about three times as long, 40 to 70 years against 15 to 25. On cost per year of service the two are close, and metal wins outright if you stay in the house long enough to avoid a second asphalt replacement.
The secondary benefits are real but harder to price: metal reflects solar gain and can cut cooling load in hot climates, it is non-combustible in wildfire zones, and many insurers discount for it. It is also considerably louder in rain unless installed over solid decking with underlayment, which is standard practice on homes.