Homeowners are often surprised that a metal roof costs more than an asphalt shingle roof, and surprised again when two metal roof quotes come back far apart. The difference comes down to a handful of metal roof cost factors: the metal itself, the panel style, the finish, the parts you never see, the shape of your roof and the quality of the installation. Here is what each one means, and why the cheapest metal roof is rarely the best deal.
Metal roof cost factors: why quotes vary so much
Two quotes can both say "metal roof" and describe very different roofs. One may price a thin, lightly coated exposed fastener panel over old felt; another may price a heavier standing seam system with a premium finish, new underlayment and custom flashing. Neither number tells you much until you know what is inside it. The sections below are the questions worth asking.
The type of metal
Steel and aluminum are the most common metals in residential roofing. Copper and zinc are premium options that cost considerably more. Each metal has its own installation requirements, and some take more time and skill to work with than others. Softer metals such as aluminum and copper also dent more easily than steel, which matters under the hail and falling limbs we see across Middle and East Tennessee.
Panel style: exposed fastener, standing seam or metal shingles
The style you choose is one of the biggest metal roof cost factors. We install three residential systems:
- Exposed fastener panels are screwed through the face of the panel. They are the most affordable option and the most common metal roof on homes in Middle Tennessee, as well as on barns and outbuildings.
- Standing seam panels attach with concealed clips or fasteners that let the panels expand and contract with temperature changes. They use more material and take more labor, so they cost more.
- Metal shingles are formed to look like shingles, shake or slate, with pricing that varies by product.
The trade-off is upkeep. The screws on an exposed fastener roof have rubber washers that wear over the years and need checking, while a concealed fastener system has no exposed screws to loosen. Our standing seam metal roof page compares the three systems in more detail.
Paint and finish: where cheap metal cuts corners
When you compare similar styles, the metal is often close to the same gauge from one product to the next. The biggest difference is usually the paint and finish. A cheap finish can fade quickly and unevenly or turn chalky within a few years, and steel without a proper protective coating will rust. A quality finish is designed to resist fading, cracking, chalking and rust for many years. We explain more in our post on why cheap metal roofing will disappoint.
The parts you don't see
A metal roof is more than its panels. The underlayment, flashing, trim, closures and fasteners all affect how well the roof sheds water and how long it lasts. Flashing around chimneys, walls and skylights is where a lot of leaks start on any roof, and on metal it has to be formed to fit. Better components cost more up front, and they protect everything else you paid for.
Roof size, shape and what is underneath
The size and complexity of your roof matter as much as the material. A simple gable roof goes faster than one with several valleys, dormers, chimneys and skylights, and a steep pitch takes more care to work on safely. Whether the old roof has to be torn off, and the condition of the decking beneath it, also affect the total. When we find soft or damaged decking, we photograph it, and our written proposal states possible decking costs up front so there are no surprises on install day.
The quality of the installation
Manufacturers publish installation guidelines for their metal roofing products, but not every installer follows them. Poor installation can make a quality panel perform like cheap metal: leaks at the seams, oil-canning, loose trim and fasteners that back out. Make sure the company you hire has the experience, training and tools to install metal correctly, and ask how long they have been doing it. Mobley Brothers has installed roofs across Middle and East Tennessee since 2007.
How to compare metal roof quotes
Put the quotes side by side and ask each company the same questions:
- Which metal, gauge and panel style is included?
- What finish or paint system is on the panels?
- What underlayment goes under the metal, and is the old roof torn off?
- How is the flashing handled at chimneys, walls, valleys and skylights?
- What happens if the decking is damaged, and how is that priced?
- What warranty coverage comes with the panels and the installation, and where are the terms written?
A cheaper quote often reflects a lighter finish, cheaper components or shortcuts during installation. Metal is a long-term investment: InterNACHI's life expectancy chart estimates metal roofing at roughly 40 to 80 years, compared with around 30 for architectural shingles, so a few corners cut today can cost you for decades. For the bigger picture, see our comparison of a metal roof vs shingles.
Quality metal roofing, with financing available
We choose only quality products, from the metal panels to the underlayment and flashing. We won't sell cheap metal roofing, which is why our quote may be a bit more than some competitors'. We would rather you be happy with your roof for the long run. Financing is available upon credit approval; see our financing page for details. For a replacement, we measure your roof from satellite imagery, send a written proposal, and look at the roof in person before install day, or sooner on request. If you are near one of our offices, see our pages on metal roofing in Lebanon, TN and metal roofing in Hardin Valley. Call our Lebanon office at (615) 455-3131 for Middle Tennessee or our Knoxville office at (865) 205-0800 for East Tennessee, or request a free estimate online.
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