How much does roll roofing cost?
How much does roll roofing cost?
$2.00 – $5.50 cost per square foot installed
$3,200 – $12,000 average total cost to install
Roll roofing cost
Roll roofing costs $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot installed or $3,200 to $12,000 on average. Roll roofing material prices are $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, plus $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot for installation labor. Old roof removal adds $1 to $2 per square foot.
| Roof size (square feet) | Total cost to install |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $2,000 – $5,500 |
| 1,200 | $2,400 – $6,600 |
| 1,500 | $3,000 – $8,300 |
| 1,700 | $3,400 – $9,400 |
| 2,000 | $4,000 – $11,000 |
| 2,500 | $5,000 – $13,800 |
| 3,000 | $6,000 – $16,500 |
| 3,500 | $7,000 – $19,300 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Rolled roofing is made of asphalt, rubber, or plastic and is for flat or low-sloped roofs. Common types of flat roofing replacement costs include:
TPO roofing costs $4 to $10 per square foot installed.
EPDM or rubber roofing costs $4 to $10 per square foot installed.
Modified bitumen roofing costs $4 to $7.50 per square foot installed.
Torch down roofing costs $3.50 to $7 per square foot installed.
Average cost to install roll roofing
The following table shows the average cost to install or replace a rolled roof.
| National average cost | $8,800 |
| Minimum cost | $1,500 |
| Maximum cost | $17,500 |
| Average cost range | $3,000 to $12,500 |
Rolled roofing cost per square foot
Rolled roofing costs $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot installed, depending on the roof size, material, and installation complexity. Old roof removal adds $1 to $2 per square foot.
| Factor | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Old roof removal | $1.00 – $2.00 |
| Materials | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| Installation labor | $1.50 – $4.00 |
| Total cost | $3.00 – $7.50 |
Labor – Multiple stories, vents, skylights, chimneys, and complex roof shapes increase labor costs.
Roof size, slope, and pitch – Rolled roofing is only suited for flat and low-sloped roofs. Large roofs and roofs higher than 15 feet cost more.
Old roof removal & disposal – Removing an existing rolled roof costs $1 to $2 per square foot on average.
Vents – Installing a roof vent costs $200 to $700.
Permits – Roof replacement permits cost $150 to $500.
Sealing – Roof sealing costs $500 to $2,000, depending on roof size. Sealing or coating rolled roofing prevents leaking at the seams.
Underlayment – Roof underlayment costs $0.10 to $0.80 per square foot for materials. Roll roofing does not typically require underlayment, which raises costs but provides an extra layer of protection.
Roll roofing prices by type
Roll roofing material prices are $50 to $150 per roll on average, depending on the type, brand, and quality. Roll roofing comes in 3'x33' to 3'x36' rolls or roughly 100 square feet. The rolls can be cut to size as needed.
| Type | Average price per roll* | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Saturated felt | $15 – $30 | Paper or wood chip base mixed with asphalt, commonly used as underlayment |
| Smooth finish | $15 – $30 | Saturated felt coated with talc |
| Mineral-surfaced roofing (MSR) | $40 – $50 | Saturated felt or fiberglass mat with rock granules on one side |
| Modified Bitumen | $70 – $220 | Asphalt reinforced with plastic or rubber; more durable than felt |
| Rubber (EPDM) | $50 – $350 | Made with recycled rubber material, durable, UV-resistant |
| Thermoplastic (TPO) | $100 – $250 | Made with plastic and rubber, durable |
*Not including installation.
To estimate the number of rolls or squares needed, divide the roof’s square footage by 100.
Pros and cons of roll roofing
Rolled roofing is cheaper and easier to install than other roof types but typically has a shorter lifespan. Rolled roofing is often considered unattractive for homes and may decrease resale values.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
What is roll roofing?
Roll roofing is made of sheets of asphalt, rubber, or plastic that are cut into long strips and applied to the surface horizontally. Each roll is 3x33 to 3x36 feet or 100 square feet and weighs approximately 75 pounds. Roll roofing is cheaper but thinner and less durable than asphalt shingles.
When and where to use roll roofing?
Roll roofing is only suitable for flat and low-sloped roofs. Roll roofing may be used for homes but is more common for garages, outbuildings, sheds, barns, or treehouses.
How long does a rolled roof last?
Rolled roofs last 5 to 20 years on average, depending on the material type, underlayment, and weather. Felt and MSR sheets last 5-10 years, while bitumen, rubber, and TPO last 10 to 25 years. Underlayment is optional but may prevent damage from heavy snow or rain.
Can you put rolled roofing over old rolled roofing?
Yes, you can put rolled roofing over an existing roof. Clear away any gravel or debris before adding the new roofing to prevent damage.
Can you patch rolled roofing?
Rolled roofing patch kits are common and cost $10 to $20 on average. To repair rolled roofing, remove the damaged section and use a patch larger than the affected area.
Finding and hiring a roofing contractor
Before hiring a roofing contractor, be sure to:
Get three or more quotes to compare.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Look for companies with a state contractor license and a National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) certification.
Select a certified, insured, bonded company with five or more years’ experience.
Be careful with extremely low or high price quotes.
Beware of companies who recommend a full roof replacement if only repairs are needed.
Verify that the roofing contractor has experience installing rolled roofing.
Ask for a clear written estimate and warranty before work begins.
Avoid large upfront payments. Instead, negotiate a payment schedule and save receipts.
Questions to ask
How long have you been installing rolled roofs?
How many rolled roofs have you installed in the past year?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Can you provide references of past work?
Are you part of professional roofing organizations like the NRCA?
Can you provide a detailed quote?
Does your quote include waste disposal or taxes?
How long will the project take?
Which sealant or coating do you recommend for my roof type, if any?
What will you do in the event of unexpected bad weather?
How will you access my roof? What safety precautions will you take?
What additional costs should I expect?
Will you obtain any necessary permits?
What does your warranty include?
Do you offer financing?