ROOFING
Metal Roof Cost: Per Square Foot in 2026
Estimate metal roof installation cost per square foot — with the free roofing calculator.
Metal roofs last 40-70 years, survive storms and cut cooling bills — at 2-3× the price of shingles. Here's the real 2026 cost per square foot.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Metal roofs run $10–$16 per sq ft installed in 2026 (corrugated $7–$12, standing seam $9–$16). Most homeowners pay $15–$20. A 2,000 sq ft roof runs $20,000–$32,000. Copper runs $15–$30+ per sq ft.
What it costs
Corrugated metal runs $7–$12 per sq ft installed. Standing seam runs $9–$16. Materials alone run $1.50–$5 per sq ft (steel), $3.50–$6.50 (aluminum). Copper runs $15–$30+. Removal of the old roof adds $1–$3 per sq ft.
- Corrugated: $7–$12 per sq ft
- Standing seam: $9–$16 per sq ft
- Typical installed: $15–$20
- 2,000 sq ft roof: $20,000–$32,000
Metal vs shingles
Metal costs 2-3× asphalt ($4–$8 per sq ft) but lasts 40-70 years vs 15-25, survives hail and high wind, and cuts cooling costs with reflective coatings. Insurance discounts are common. The payback is at the second roof replacement.
Try the roofing calculator
Enter the area, material and labor per sq ft to see the total.