At some point in their lives, most homeowners find themselves asking the question, “How much does a new roof cost?”
The answer, unfortunately, is nowhere near straightforward. Many considerations go into calculating the cost of a new roof:
- Roofing material
- Geographic location
- Size of your home
- Complexity of your roof
- Accessibility of your roof
Take into account that you may also need to replace your roof deck, underlayment, or other parts of your roof structure, and you can see why the online estimates of roof replacement costs vary so widely!
That’s why it’s good to get informed when you’re wanting to get your roof replaced.
Here, we’ll break down the materials and installation cost per square foot of some of the most popular roofing materials in use today.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles continue to be a popular choice for American homeowners because of their low cost, high availability, and easy installation. You can expect an asphalt shingle roof to last anywhere from 15-30 years, depending on your climate and the kind of asphalt shingles you use.
The most basic asphalt shingles, 3-tab shingles, are the least expensive on the market, but they also have the shortest lifespan: around 15 years. They also provide little protection against extreme weather and high winds.
Architectural shingles are slightly hardier, with more layers of materials to provide extra weight against rain and hail. This shingle type will likely last you 20-25 years.
Luxury shingles are the most expensive of the bunch, but they also most closely mimic the appearance of natural slate and wood shingles. You should get a 30-year lifespan out of this type of roof.
- 3-tab: $8/sq. ft.
- Architectural: $12/sq. ft.
- Luxury: $15/sq. ft.
Metal Roofs
With so many options on the market, the costs of metal roofs vary widely based on style and material. As a general rule of thumb, the more complex the shape and the higher the weight of the metal, the higher the final costs of your roof will be.
Since standing seam metal panels are the most popular choice for residential metal roofing, we’ve used this style to estimate the costs in the comparison below:
- Galvanized steel: $17/sq. ft. (50-yr lifespan)
- Aluminum: $20/sq. ft. (40-yr lifespan)
- Copper: $35/sq. ft. (100-yr lifespan)
- Zinc: $37/sq. ft. (80-yr lifespan)
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles have been used as roofing material for centuries, and for good reason. While these tiles are fragile during the installation process, they hold up incredibly well against most forms of impact once installed, and you can expect a clay tile roof to last for decades (75 years or more) when well-maintained. This roof type works best for homes in arid and coastal climates.
With labor and materials, you’ll pay about $27 per square foot for a clay tile roof.
Slate Tiles
For even more robust protection, slate tiles will get the job done. You’ll have to ensure that your foundation can hold the weight of these tiles, or you’ll need to strengthen your foundation, significantly increasing your total roofing costs. Assuming that your foundation is already sufficient, don’t be surprised if you spend $30 per square foot on materials and labor.
A slate tile roof has a lifespan of about 50 years.
Cedar Shakes
The least durable but most eco-friendly option on this list, cedar shakes have long been in use to provide protection, insulation, and beauty to homes. Cedar shingles and shakes cost around $20 per square foot. At most, cedar shakes have a usable lifespan of 40-50 years.
Also, keep in mind that to extend the lifespan of a natural cedar roof, you’ll need regular cleaning and preservation services, adding to its total lifetime cost.
Decking, Underlayment, and Other Considerations
The prices listed above only account for the material and labor costs associated with the roofing material itself. If your roof replacement project includes replacing the underlayment, expect to add an additional $4 per square foot in total project costs.
Getting new roof decking will add even more, and any special considerations (a particularly high roof pitch, a hard-to-access roof, and other things of this nature) will also inflate the overall price of the project.
How Much Does a New Roof Cost?
Now that we’ve thrown a bunch of figures your way, you might still be left wondering just how much it’s going to cost you to get a roof replacement. How do you directly compare the costs of all these types of roofs when they have different labor needs and lifespans?
To help you sort through the practical considerations and prep for your financing needs, we’ve put together a comparison chart. It compares the cost for a 1,000-square-foot (plus underlayment and labor costs) across material types. Then, to help you more directly compare the cost of materials, we’ve divided the upfront costs across the average lifespan of each material to give you a “per year” amount.
| Material Type | Total Estimated Upfront Cost for 1,000 sq. ft. roof | Cost Per Year Across Lifespan of Roof |
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | $12,000 | $800 |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $16,000 | $640 |
| Luxury asphalt shingles | $19,000 | $633.33 |
| Galvanized steel | $21,000 | $420 |
| Aluminum | $24,000 | $600 |
| Copper | $39,000 | $390 |
| Zinc | $41,000 | $512.50 |
| Clay tiles | $31,000 | $413.33 |
| Slate tiles | $34,000 | $680 |
| Cedar shakes | $24,000 | $480 |
As you can see, even though the up-front cost of a new metal roof is much higher than that of a 3-tab shingle roof, the cost per year of the roof’s lifespan is much lower. This figure excludes any potential replacement costs, of course, but hopefully, it can help you see that a higher upfront investment might help you save in the long run.
Get a Great Roof on Your Budget
Use these material costs to calculate the estimated cost to replace your entire roof. Soon, you’ll be the one helping your friends answer the question, “How much does a new roof cost?”
As a GAF Master Elite Contractor, we have tons of experience installing a variety of roof types, and we believe that no matter what, you deserve the best. Let us help you figure out your roof costs and deliver a roof you’ll love! Contact Monarch Roofing today to begin!
