Thinking about cost of having a metal roof installed on your home? On average, you can expect metal roof cost to be between $5 and $15 per square foot. That means you could find yourself spending as much as $1,500 per square. A square in roofing terms refers to either 100 square feet of roofing or a roll that is designed to cover 100 square feet of roof.
Metal roof cost could vary depending on a few variables.
- Type of metal: Metal shingles will typically cost $7.50 to $11.00 per square foot, including installation. Meanwhile, a standing seam metal roof might be slightly more expensive, costing between $9.25 and $14.00 per square foot. Each type of metal comes with its own unique list of pros and cons.
- Underlayment and Accessories: A metal roof installation or replacement will require underlayment and other accessories, which can contribute a few dollars to every square foot.
- Profiles and finishes: If you require a certain architectural style or have skylights, those elements can increase the cost of your metal roof. You also need to choose a metal roof finish, or you can choose the bare metal look.
- Your Choice of Metal Roof Installation Company: Choose your roofing company wisely. Plan to get quotes from a few companies to keep your options open. Keep in mind that the company is also likely to charge you for the disposal of your old roof, if applicable. Be sure and include those fees when estimating your budget for the metal roof installation.
Because there are so many choices to make as a metal roof owner, your price can vary dramatically compared to a neighbor with a similar-sized home.
Determining the Metal Roof Materials
In the past, homeowners would choose the roofing materials to use based on cost 
versus performance.
Today, there are a host of other considerations to make, such as aesthetic appeal and responsible building practices.
These variations can contribute to higher metal roofing costs, but they may not add as much to the overall price of installation as you might think.
Here are some of the most common metal roof materials used by homeowners today.
Copper Roof
A copper roof can add aesthetic appeal to any style of home, but these roofs aren’t just known for their looks. Having a copper metal roof installed can pay off immensely in value and energy savings.
A copper roof can cost between $9.00 and $14.00 per square feet, which includes installation costs. That comes to around $900 to $1,400 per square (100 square feet of roof). These costs can increase by adding thickness to the copper panels or by adding intricate designs to the work itself (skylights, architectural details, and dormer windows, for example). With these elements, your cost could be as much as $20.00 per square foot. Still, copper roofs last a very long time and are sure to make your home stand out from others on the block.
Zinc Roofing
Zinc metal roofs cost between $10.00 and $12.00 per square foot, which includes the cost of installation. This comes to around $1,000 and $1,200 per square.
Both zinc roofs and zinc standing seam roofs tend to cost less than copper shingles and copper standing seam roofs. But don’t let the cheaper price fool you. Zinc can add the same level of aesthetic appeal to your home while offering similar levels of strength and durability.
Steel and Aluminum Metal Roofing
A steel or aluminum roof can cost between $3.00 and $9.00 per square foot. A steel shingle roof on a regular-sized home would cost $15,000 to $25,000 for the installation. Steel roofing is energy-efficient, recyclable, and eco-friendly. Steel roofs last between 15 and 30 years and stand up well to hail, snow, rain, and fire.
Aluminum roofing comes in the form of shingles and tiles instead of metal panels. Aluminum metal roofing can cost around $15,500 and $28,000 for the installation. Aluminum will typically last for 40 years or more. Aluminum metal roofs are also more resistant to rust and leaks than steel metal roofing panels.
Stone Coated Steel Roofing
Stone-coated steel roofs cost between $5 and $12 per square foot. That comes to around $21,000 for a 2,400 square foot home.
Homeowners tend to love the aesthetic offered by stone coated metal. Stone-coated steel roofing is also durable and long-lasting.
Metal Roof Underlayment
A new metal roof installed is going to require roofing underlayment and other accessories, which can contribute to higher installation costs. A successful metal roof installation can run you between $4.00 and $5.00 per square foot for the underlayment and other accessories. The quote offered by your installation company should include these costs as part of the overall estimate.
Profiles and Finishes
Metal Roof Color Options
Some homeowners find it difficult to choose just the right color for their metal roofs.
The main reason is that there are so many options available. If you are planning on a roof replacement, you will be happy to know that there is a wide range of different shades available. If you are not visually or architecturally inclined, your metal roofing company should be able to help you choose just the right shade for your style of home.
The color of your metal roof will depend on the style of your home, the overall look of the neighborhood, your climate, and your personal preferences. You can choose a bold look or go more subtle. Or you could just a color that matches your home’s siding for a sleek, modern aesthetic.
When choosing a color for your metal roof, pay some mind to that particular color’s longevity. Saturated and bright colors may fade quickly when baked by the sun and exposed to the elements. Neutral colors, on the other hand, tend to weather more naturally they age.
Of course, you could also go for the bare metal look. Copper, stainless steel, aluminum, and zinc roofing make for a bold look that can highlight your home on the block. Bare metal also tends to weather well, which is appealing to most buyers if you ever decide to sell your home in the future.
Metal Roof Finishes
Once you pick your metal roof’s color, you need to decide on a finish. The paint finish quality on a metal roof helps the roof stand up to the elements. For this reason, choose your finish carefully, as this is a critical aspect of the metal roof installation or replacement process.
There are two types of paint finishes typically applied to metal roofing: polyester and PVDF.
Polyester is not rated very high on account of its inability to withstand heavy amounts of sun and inclement weather.
PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) finishes are more popular. Referred to commercially as Hylar or Kynar, these finishes on metal roofs tend to withstand UV rays much better and aren’t as prone to fading as other metal finishes.
The finish you choose also contributes to the longevity of your roof. Paint fading can reduce the efficiency of your UV protection, thus reducing your roof’s value.
Ask your metal roof installer about metal finishes that last the longest and if it might be possible to repaint or refinish your roof in the future if fading does become an issue.
Your Choice of Metal Roof Installation Company
The company you choose to install your metal roof should have experience and a good track record of installing roofs in your area. Though it may be tempting to try and cut the cost of your installation by choosing a cheaper company, buyer beware. The quality of your installation will contribute to the longevity of your roof. The better skilled the team, the more your roof will hold up to storms, and the longer your roof will last.
That means that spending more on an experienced company now will save you costs for roof maintenance, roof repair, and roof replacement later on.
When it comes to labor costs, you can expect to pay the roofing company between $2.30 and $5.80 per square foot.
Metal Roofs Require Minimal Maintenance
There is another benefit of metal roofing that should be mentioned. Unlike asphalt shingles and other roofing materials that need to be regularly maintained, metal roofing is largely “set and forget.”
Most metal roofing components are coated with zinc or a mixture of aluminum and zinc at the factory. These galvanizing coats help your metal roof last longer. The coatings have varying levels of thickness. The thicker the coating, the longer the roof components will last. These coatings also contribute to a roof that protects your home without the need for constant maintenance, saving you even more as a homeowner every year.
The only maintenance required is the occasional cleaning to keep your roof free of debris. To wash your metal roof, simple soap and water will do. You can use the garden hose or a pressure washer but try to avoid abrasive tools like steel wool or wire brushes. This type of cleaning can help your roof last even longer.
Should You Invest in a Metal Roof?
A roof is a critical component of any home. A metal roof is expected to provide a tight seal against the elements to keep the internal areas of the home protected. A good metal roof will offer many decades of protection against things like inclement weather and hurricanes. Metal roofing is also impervious to fires and the resulting smoke damage. As such, you get what you pay for.
The average metal roof cost is around $6,000. With that cost comes a host of savings. For instance, you stand to save around 40% in cooling costs when you choose a reflective metal roof. Choosing metal roofing for your home can also raise the resale value of your home. That means you are likely to see a return on your investment when it comes time to sell your home, helping your metal roof essentially pay for itself.
Are You Ready for a Metal Roof Install or Replacement?
Metal roofs are durable, and they outperform shingles when Mother Nature turns 
scary. Metal roofing will also save you in energy and maintenance costs. What’s not to love?
Now that you know more about the costs that go into the installation or replacement of your metal roof, it’s time to call the experienced roofers near you.
Direct Metal Roofing, Inc. is the local leader in metal roofing installs and replacements. With experience and dedication to a job well done, we are your best bet for quality roofing in and near Cocoa, Florida. Call now for a free metal roofing estimate to get started.
