Installed ranges from the Metal Roofing Alliance. The total is that range times 2,000 square feet of roof surface, not a quote.
Metal roofing cost in 2026 usually lands between $11 and $19 per square foot installed, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance. Asphalt shingles run $4 to $8 by the same measure. So metal costs roughly two to three times as much up front, but it can last two to three times longer. Where your roof falls in that range depends on the panel type, the shape and pitch of the roof, and what has to come off first.
We are the Afford-A-Pro team in Jasper, and we install both standing seam and ribbed panel metal roofing across the Sequatchie Valley and North Alabama. This guide lays out what the national sources say, why their numbers disagree, and what goes into a real quote.
In this guide
- What the national price guides say
- Standing seam vs. ribbed panel, steel vs. aluminum
- Metal roofing vs. shingles price
- Cost for a 2,000 sq ft house or a 20x20 roof
- What drives the price in the Tennessee Valley
- What goes into a quote from us
- Frequently asked questions
What the national price guides say about metal roofing pricing
Ask three sources what a metal roof costs and you will get three answers. Here is where the big guides land right now, with the date each one was last updated.
| Source (updated) | Metal roofing price |
|---|---|
| Metal Roofing Alliance | $11–$19 per sq ft installed |
| This Old House (Mar. 30, 2026) | $4–$26 per sq ft for exposed fastener, $9–$30 for standing seam |
| This Old House (Sept. 10, 2026) | $29 per sq ft average; about $57,661 for 2,000 sq ft |
| Bob Vila (July 19, 2022) | $5,659–$17,314 for a typical project |
Why such a wide spread? Each guide counts different things. Some quote the panels alone, some include labor, and some average in copper and zinc, which cost far more than steel.
The September 2026 This Old House guide is built on Homewyse data and lists steel at about $20 per square foot against $35 for copper. Bob Vila's figure is older and reflects a typical project, not a large roof. Treat any single number as a starting point, not a price.
The price of metal roofing right now also moves with steel prices and local labor. Labor is a big share of the bill. This Old House puts installation by local contractors at $7 to $14 per square foot on its own, so the cost of roofing metal itself is only part of the story.
Standing seam vs. ribbed panel, steel vs. aluminum
Exposed fastener (ribbed panel)
Ribbed panel, also called exposed fastener, is screwed through the face of the panel into the deck or purlins. It is the lower-cost metal system and goes on faster. The tradeoff is that the screws and their rubber washers age, so they need checking and tightening over the years. It is a sturdy, practical choice for ranch houses, cabins, garages, barns and shops.
How expensive is a standing seam metal roof?
Standing seam panels join at raised seams that run from ridge to eave, with the fasteners hidden underneath. Nothing pierces the face of the roof, which is why it is the most durable residential metal system.
It also costs more: the panels themselves cost more, and a concealed-fastener install takes more labor. Bob Vila lists standing seam material at $200 to $1,000 per roofing square (100 square feet), against $75 to $600 for sheet metal panels. This Old House's 2026 range for standing seam is $9 to $30 per square foot.
Steel vs. aluminum
Steel is the budget-friendly metal. Bob Vila's material ranges per square run $75 to $350 for basic steel, $75 to $200 for Galvalume (steel with an aluminum-zinc coating) and $150 to $600 for aluminum.
Aluminum resists corrosion well, which matters most near salt water. Inland, steel usually gives more roof for the money. Thicker panels (a lower gauge number) cost more and stand up better to dents.
Metal roofing vs. shingles price
On price alone, shingles win at the start. The Metal Roofing Alliance FAQ says a metal roof costs roughly two to three times what an asphalt shingle roof costs. The question is how long each one lasts.
| Comparison | Asphalt shingles | Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Installed price per sq ft (MRA) | $4–$8 | $11–$19 |
| Average per sq ft (This Old House, Oct. 2026) | $7 architectural | $28 |
| Expected life (MRA) | 15–25 years | 40–70+ years |
| 2,000 sq ft of roof at MRA rates | $8,000–$16,000 | $22,000–$38,000 |
Sources: Metal Roofing Alliance; This Old House, shingles vs. metal (updated Oct. 2, 2026).
Spread over its life, metal can cost less per year than shingles, because a homeowner who stays put may replace shingles once or twice in the time one metal roof lasts. If you plan to sell in a few years, shingles often make more sense. That is why our estimates can include both options side by side.
How much does a metal roof cost for a 2,000 sq ft house?
Roof pricing is per square foot of roof, not of floor space. A 2,000 square foot one-story house can have well over 2,000 square feet of roof once the pitch and overhangs are counted. A two-story house with the same living space has a much smaller roof. That is why one house can cost twice as much as another of the same size.
As a rough guide using the Metal Roofing Alliance's $11 to $19 installed range:
- 2,000 sq ft of roof: about $22,000 to $38,000.
- 2,500 sq ft of roof: about $27,500 to $47,500.
- A 20x20 roof (400 sq ft), like a garage or shed: about $4,400 to $7,600. Small jobs often carry a minimum charge, so the per-foot price can run higher.
What about a single 3 ft by 12 ft metal roofing panel? Home centers sell exposed fastener panels by the sheet, and the shelf price is easy to check. Keep in mind that the panels are only one line on the bill. Trim, closures, screws, underlayment, flashing and labor add up quickly, which is why a metal roofing price calculator built on panel prices alone comes in low.
What drives the price in the Tennessee Valley
The Metal Roofing Alliance says the shape and pitch of a roof affect the installation cost more than the style of metal you choose. Here is what moves the number on homes around here.
- Size and pitch. More roof means more material and labor. A steep roof takes more time and safety gear than a low one.
- Complexity. Every valley, hip, dormer, chimney and skylight needs custom trim and flashing.
- Tear-off and decking. Removing the old roof adds labor and disposal; Bob Vila puts tear-off at $1,000 to $1,500. Any rotted decking found underneath has to be replaced before metal goes on.
- Weather. Spring storms here bring high wind and hail, and summers are hot and humid. On the Cumberland Plateau in Tracy City and Monteagle, homes sit around 1,800 feet up and face more ice, heavier snow and stronger wind than the valley. Thicker panels and extra attention to fastening add cost, and they earn it.
- Access. Hillside lots, long drives and wooded yards take more time to stage materials and set up safely, as on many of the hillside homes on Signal Mountain.
- Permits and timing. Required building permits are part of the job, and busy storm seasons can stretch schedules.
One cost that is no longer an offset: the federal energy efficient home improvement credit. The IRS lists it for property placed in service from 2023 through 2025, and roofing is not among the categories on that page (reviewed April 28, 2026). Do not count on a tax credit for a new metal roof in 2026.
What goes into a quote from us
We do not publish a price list, because no two roofs are the same. Here is what happens when you ask us for a number.
- A free inspection. We look at the roof and check the decking at every inspection, so soft or rotted boards are in the quote, not a surprise later.
- Overlay or tear-off. Sometimes metal can go over existing shingles. It depends on how many layers are there, the decking and the local code. We tell you honestly which one fits your roof.
- Panel choices. Standing seam and ribbed panel, with the colors and finishes laid out so you can compare.
- Metal and shingles side by side if you want to compare both.
- A written quote with transparent pricing and no hidden fees, including cleanup and disposal of the old material.
- Financing options are available.
We are licensed and insured, and we have been roofing in this area for 15+ years. Our home base is Jasper, and we work across Marion County, including South Pittsburg and Kimball. We also serve Winchester and, in North Alabama, Bridgeport, Scottsboro and Huntsville.
Want a real number for your home? See our metal roofing page, or start with a free roof inspection. If the old roof has to come off, our roof replacement page walks through how a tear-off works.
Metal roofing cost: frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to put on a metal roof or shingles?
Shingles are cheaper to install. The Metal Roofing Alliance puts asphalt shingles at $4 to $8 per square foot installed and metal at $11 to $19, or roughly two to three times as much. Metal can cost less over time because it lasts 40 to 70 years or more, against 15 to 25 years for asphalt, by the same source.
How much do asphalt shingles cost per square foot?
About $4 to $8 per square foot installed, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance. This Old House's October 2026 guide averages about $7 per square foot for architectural shingles. Basic three-tab shingles cost less than architectural ones.
How much does a standing seam metal roof cost?
This Old House lists standing seam at $9 to $30 per square foot in its March 2026 guide. It costs more than ribbed or exposed fastener panel because the panels cost more and the hidden-fastener install takes more labor.
How much does a metal roof cost for a 2,000 square foot house?
It depends on the roof area, not the floor area. At the Metal Roofing Alliance's $11 to $19 per square foot installed, 2,000 square feet of roof comes to about $22,000 to $38,000. A one-story house usually has more roof than a two-story house with the same living space.
What is the biggest problem with metal roofs?
The upfront cost is the biggest hurdle for most homeowners. On exposed fastener roofs, the screws and rubber washers age and need checking over the years. Very large hail can dent metal, especially thinner panels. Correct flashing and sealed fasteners are what keep water out, so installation quality matters as much as the panel.
Can I save money buying metal panels at a home center?
Home centers sell exposed fastener panels by the sheet, and the shelf price is easy to check. Panels are only part of the cost, though. Trim, closures, fasteners, underlayment, flashing, tear-off and labor make up much of the bill, and labor alone can run $7 to $14 per square foot, per This Old House.
Is there a tax credit for a metal roof in 2026?
Not under the federal energy efficient home improvement credit. The IRS lists that credit for property placed in service from 2023 through 2025, and roofing is not among the categories on its page. Check with a tax professional about your own situation.