Calculators/ Roofing/Metal Roof Cost Calculator
Metal Roof Cost Calculator
Panels, trim and total cost for a metal roof.
Metal roofing is quoted per square foot of roof, not of building, and the difference is the pitch. A 6/12 roof is 11.8% larger than the footprint it covers; a 12/12 is 41% larger. Trim and fasteners usually add 15 to 25% on top of the panel price, which is where most estimates fall short.
How this is calculated
- Roof area = footprint × the pitch multiplier √(1 + (rise÷12)²), plus a waste allowance.
- Panels are counted on coverage width, not sheet width: a 38 inch sheet typically covers 36 inches once the rib overlaps.
- Trim is the ridge, both eaves and both rakes. Exposed-fastener roofs use roughly 80 screws per roofing square.
- This is material only. Labour, underlayment, tear-off and disposal are not included and often exceed the material cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a metal roof cost per square foot?
Material alone typically runs $3 to $6 per square foot for exposed-fastener panels and $7 to $14 for standing seam. Installed costs are usually two to three times the material.
Is standing seam worth the extra cost?
It lasts longer and has no exposed fasteners to back out and leak, but costs roughly double and needs specialist installation. On a roof you plan to keep 40 years, the maths usually favours it.
What is not included in this estimate?
Underlayment, labour, tear-off, disposal, pipe boots, snow guards and any structural work. Material is often under half the installed price.