Cost of Steel Roofing for Homes

Nov 9, 2011
James Vassallo

house - wikimedia commons

Steel roofing can be expensive but it can last much longer than normal roofing products used on most homes today.

When people move to a new home they either purchase a home that is already built or they decide to build a brand new home, making all of the decisions and making it their dream home. Not many homeowners realize the true cost of steel roofing for homes, which can come into play when deciding what type of material to use for the new roof. Steel roofs can be installed as a replacement roof for a home or as a new roof for a brand new home. Steel roofing has been popular on commercial buildings for decades but is just entering the residential market in recent years. There are quite a few factors that affect the pricing of steel roofing but in the end, it will be the most expensive option on the market.

Pricing Steel Roofing

If you cannot decide what type of material to use for a brand new roof on your home, looking into steel might not be such a bad idea. You will, without a doubt, spend a lot more money up front when purchasing the steel and having it installed compared to traditional roofing materials. However, over the course of the steel roof's life, you will wind up saving money. A roof made of traditional materials will only last 10-15 years and will need to be replaced completely. A steel roof can last anywhere from 40 to 50 years before needing to be replaced, which means you will save thousands of dollars over the life of a steel roof compared to a traditional roof.

An interlocking steel roof shingle will cost anywhere from $3-$7.50 per square foot and this price typically includes labor and materials needed for the installation process. When you multiply this individual shingle cost for a roof you arrive at $5,100-$16,500 to cover an entire roof of a home that measures 1,700-2,100 square feet.

There is a special type of steel roofing shingle that can be purchased, corrosion resistant coated shingles, known as standing seam roofing. This steel roof could cost anywhere from $7-$10 per shingle, amounting to $11,900-$22,000 for an entire roof.

If your home has a lot of slope to it, an extreme slope, a lot of skylights or other extra architectural features the project could become incredibly costly. The steel shingles for a roof of this type could cost anywhere from $12-$15 per square foot or even more.

The National average for a steel roof installation is $16,453. The National average for the resale value is $14,141 and the cost recouped has a National average of 85.9 percent for a steel roof installation on a residential property.

Making the Decision

Deciding to use steel for the roof of your home all comes down to how much money you are willing to spend upfront while knowing how much money you will save in the future. The cost of steel roofing for homes will be higher upfront but will save you money on future repairs and replacements since it lasts 40-50 years.