How much does metal roofing cost?

However, for this article, we explore the 2 key factors that go into the initial cost of installing your roof. In this article, you will learn to calculate your own roof coverage area and subsequent cost. Then you will educate yourself on cost altering variables like materials, coatings, and custom features.

And with this information, you can accurately estimate what you pay up front. Getting you prepared for your journey into metal roofing.

1. Your Home | Business

2. Your Material Choice

Square Footage: Getting the right number

The first step, and often the first mistake, is when one begins to estimate the square footage of your home. For you newcomers, this square footage is actually different the then the flat square footage of your home. However, calculating the actual number is not difficult in most situations. Every roof has a pitch, or angle at which it is installed. And this pitch, is taken into consideration no matter the roof you wish to have installed, metal or shingle. So, how do you calculate area, then pitch into your metal roofing cost estimates? Easy…

Basic Homes

The first thing you must do is calculate the base area of land that the metal roof will cover. Area can be figured by multiplying the length and width of a box, aka your roof as seen from above. Simple, if you have a square or rectangular home. Just measure one side of your home then multiply it by the perpendicular side. Metal Roofing Cost made easy.

More Complicated Homes

However, more complicated homes will need to be broken down into smaller areas, and then added together. Even overhanging roof, or eaves must be added to get the most accurate number. Still not so tough, though.

The Easy Approach

However, to get a pretty close estimate, you can simply use the square footage of your home. Just remember that added floors do not equal more roof. A 2500 sq foot two story home, will only need a roof that covers 1250 sq feet, for example.

Calculating Your Roof Pitch

We then need to consider the pitch, mentioned above. This is a key factor in metal roofing cost. In order to calculate pitch, you measure how much your roof increases in height for every foot of length. For example, your roof raises 8 inches for every foot it goes toward the highest peak. That leaves you with a 8/12 pitch.

The We Combine the Two: Area | Pitch

And finally, you multiply your area with your pitch multiplier value. The pitch multiplier value is a number given to different pitches by individual manufacturers. However, they usually only vary slightly, so your metal roofing cost estimate will be fairly accurate. For this case, we will use 1.202 for the 8/12 pitch, based pitch value chart we provided below.

Square Feet = Area x Pitch Multiplier

Sq Ft = 1250 x 1.202

Sq Ft = 1502.5 sq ft.

Variables that Alter Sq Ft Costs

Now those previous calculations were done with the most simplified roof you could imagine. However, chances are that you have one, or many other factors that play into pricing. Some costs alterations may occur due to having multiple pitches for different sections of your roof. Also, if your roof has any small protruding shapes, you may need more metal to cover those extended elements. These variables lead us into the next consideration for your metal roof cost, customization.

Customization and Cost

As metal roofing is becoming more standard, there is less and less price increase from customized metal work. Good news in Roof Repair Guys’s case, we do all of our own custom work, reducing those costs further. However, those of you with very complicated roofing structures will require extra skilled hours for installation.

When it comes to custom, get it done once and get it done right!

Location, Location, Location… and Cost

Even though it is far less likely, for homes or businesses in very remote locations to cost more to install. This can also be said for any urban areas that carry additional permits, applications and other costly paperwork before installing a new metal roof. Although, Roof Repair Guys was built around the remote forests of Pennsylvania. So, we have made connections that have almost entirely eliminated these cost variables.

Skilled Labor

When exploring your new metal roofing cost, your materials play a major role. First, you are already upgrading to a higher class contractor with metal roofing. By nature, metal work is a more challenging trade, and therefore, you need better skilled laborers for installation. However, in our opinion, it is never a bad idea to get a higher tier of workers. Especially when you install something as important as your roof. However, it still adds initial installation cost over shingle roofing.

Top Roofing Mistakes by Amateurs.

Metal Type

The first thing to consider is the type of metal. There?s Galvalume (bare and painted), Painted Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Copper, and Zinc as your standards. Each one carries its own inherent price point, with Galvalume usually being the cheapest and Copper the most expensive.

Learn more about each metal type and how they help protect your home.

See the growth of metal roofing across history.

Metal Type Cosiderations

Thickness, Pitch, Factory Standards, Paints and Treatments

The required thickness for certain metals can also alter the cost. Especially if you are doing industrial sized panels for business. Their are even certain instances where a specific metal should be used or avoided. A very high or low pitch, can alter choices and effect price, for example. However, these variables are usually reserved for the most premium metals and are fairly rare.

Style: Standing Seam, Exposed Fastener and more…

Get in-depth with our Standing Seam Vs Exposed Fastener comparison.

Specific metals may also have a set of standard colors or paint type, all influencing cost. Maybe you want the best paint available on the market, but none will agree to put it on your exposed fastener style. Or maybe you need to match a color to another portion of your home, but one seller does not offer it. These are actually fairly common, and often used to upsell potential clients. But, that?s not a problem with Roof Repair Guys. We have connections in place to get more options on more metals than anyone else.

Treatments and Paints

Dive further into paints and treatments.

One also considers the type of treatment and paint you want on your metal roof. Their are only a handful of metal treatment facilities across the United States. This results in somewhat limited availability for special combinations. While you can ultimately order and combination you would like (as opposed to shingle roofing), it may take some time to manufacture. However all readily available, as well as custom possibilities, will be made available to you. It?s about your needs, not ours.

Installation Materials

Then you also have to consider the types of seams and accessories you may be using to install your roof. Just like any business, there are the cheap parts and the quality parts. One company may charge you 200 less, but use inferior screws that cause lasting damage to your roof. Another company then makes promises of using the best metal, but then shorts you on paint. This leaves that metal more exposed, causing premature wear. Between fasteners, trim, boots, clips?. there are thousands of pieces that go into your home. And Roof Repair Guys knows, you need to rely on all of them. But it is an area where inferior metal roofers try to hide poor work.

Here we simplified two main factors that go into your metal roofing costs. On one hand we gave you the calculations to accurately measure your home or business. Then we showed you how to use those numbers with a choice metal to estimate a basic price.

On the other we gave you a list of variables that can alter those standard numbers. We dove into your contractor crew, location, metals, paints and other components to get you familiar with what you need to know for your metal roof contracting job.