How much do roofing materials cost?
How much do roofing materials cost?
$80 – $250 asphalt shingle materials cost per square (100 SF)
$100 – $800 metal roof materials cost per square (100 SF)
$2,000 – $16,500 average total cost of roofing materials
Roofing material prices
Roofing material prices are $80 to $800 per roofing square (100 SF) or $2,000 to $16,500 on average. The cost of roofing materials depends on the type and quality. Asphalt 3-tab shingles are the cheapest and most common option at $80 to $130 per square, while metal, slate, and tile cost the most.
| Roof size (square foot) | Material cost for shingle roof* | Material cost for metal roof* |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $800 – $2,500 | $1,000 – $8,000 |
| 1,500 | $1,200 – $3,750 | $1,500 – $12,000 |
| 2,000 | $1,600 – $5,000 | $2,000 – $16,000 |
| 2,500 | $2,000 – $6,250 | $2,500 – $20,000 |
| 3,000 | $2,400 – $7,500 | $3,000 – $24,000 |
| 3,500 | $2,800 – $8,750 | $3,500 – $28,000 |
Roofing contractors estimate installation and replacement costs by the square. One square covers 100 square feet of roof area.
Roofing materials cost breakdown
Materials make up about 25% of the cost to install a new roof:
| Factor | Cost per square (100 SF) |
|---|---|
| Old roof removal cost* | $100 – $300 |
| Roofing materials cost | $100 – $250 |
| Roofing labor cost | $200 – $350 |
| Total cost to replace | $400 – $900 |
*Not required for roof-over or overlay installations.
Average cost of roofing materials by type
Roofing material prices are $15 to $2,500 per square, depending on the type. Flat roof materials and asphalt shingles cost the least. Metal, tile, and slate are the most expensive roof materials but last longer than cheaper alternatives.
| Type | Material cost per square* | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | $80 – $130 | 15 – 20 |
| Architectural / dimensional shingles | $100 – $250 | 20 – 30 |
| Metal | $100 – $800 | 30 – 80 |
| Tile | $300 – $2,500 | 30 – 200 |
| Wood shakes | $300 – $700 | 25 – 30 |
| Slate / stone | $600 – $1,600 | 50 – 200 |
| Flat / rolled / built-up | $15 – $800 | 5 – 60 |
*Not including installation.
Shingle roof material cost
Materials for shingle roofs cost $80 to $2,500 per square or $27 to $850 per bundle. One bundle of shingles is 32 to 33 square feet or one third of a roofing square (100 SF). Asphalt shingles last 15 to 20 years on average.
| Roof type | Material cost per square* | Material cost per bundle* |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt 3-tab shingle roof cost | $80 – $130 | $27 – $45 |
| Architectural shingle roof cost | $100 – $250 | $33 – $85 |
| Composite shingle roof cost | $300 – $700 | $75 – $140 |
| Metal shingle roof cost | $300 – $600 | $100 – $200 |
| Solar shingle roof cost | $1,000 – $2,500 | $330 – $850 |
*Not including installation.
Metal roof material prices
Materials for metal roofs cost $100 to $800 per square on average or up to $2,000 per square for premium metals like copper. Metal roofs are often more expensive than other materials but are one of the most durable and weatherproof options available, lasting 30 to 80+ years.
| Material | Material price per square* |
|---|---|
| Aluminum roof cost | $300 – $900 |
| Copper roof cost | $900 – $2,000 |
| Galvalume metal roof cost | $100 – $450 |
| Galvanized steel roof cost | $100 – $500 |
| Metal slate roof cost | $300 – $500 |
| Rusted (Corten) roof cost | $200 – $300 |
| Stainless steel roof cost | $550 – $1,300 |
| Stone-coated steel roof cost | $350 – $600 |
| Tin (Terne) roof cost | $300 – $1,100 |
| Zinc roof cost | $500 – $1,000 |
*Not including installation.
Tile roof material costs
Materials for tile roofs cost $3 to $25 per square foot. Concrete tile is the most affordable option but may require sealing to protect against leaks, UV damage, and severe weather. Slate tile roofs have the highest price but the longest lifespan.
| Type | Material price per square foot* |
|---|---|
| Concrete tile roof cost | $3 – $5 |
| Clay tile roof cost | $3 – $11 |
| Terracotta tile roof cost | $4 – $13 |
| Solar roof cost | $10 – $25 |
| Slate roof cost | $6 – $16 |
*Not including installation.
Wood shake roof material prices
Wood shake roof prices are $200 to $900 per square or $50 to $300 per bundle for materials alone. Wood shakes cost more than shingles due to their labor-intensive manufacturing process. Composite shakes cost more but are simpler to install and last longer than natural wood.
| Type | Material cost per square* | Material cost per bundle* |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar / wood shingles | $200 – $375 | $50 – $95 |
| Cedar / wood shakes | $300 – $700 | $75 – $175 |
| Composite shakes | $400 – $900 | $130 – $300 |
*Not including installation.
One bundle of cedar shakes or wood shingles covers approximately 25 square feet. A shake roof requires 4 bundles per square (100 SF).
Flat roof material costs
Flat roof prices are $0.15 to $8.00 per square foot for materials alone. Rolled asphalt is the cheapest flat roof material, while metal and concrete roofing are the most expensive and durable options.
| Material | Material cost per square foot* |
|---|---|
| Tar & gravel roof cost | $1.50 – $2.70 |
| EPDM rubber membrane roof cost | $0.50 – $2.50 |
| TPO membrane roof cost | $1.00 – $2.50 |
| PVC membrane roof cost | $1.50 – $3.00 |
| Fiberglass / GRP roof cost | $0.20 – $2.40 |
| Modified bitumen roof cost | $0.70 – $2.20 |
| Rolled asphalt roof cost | $0.15 – $0.50 |
| Spray foam roof cost | $1.50 – $3.00 |
| Metal roof cost | $1.00 – $8.00 |
| Concrete roof cost | $2.00 – $4.00 |
*Not including installation.
Additional roof material costs & factors
| Factor | Average cost for materials | Average cost installed* |
|---|---|---|
| Underlayment | $0.10 –$0.80 per square foot | $0.75 – $4.00 per square foot |
| Decking / plywood / sheathing | $0.30 –$2.60 per square foot | $2.00 – $5.00 per square foot |
| Nails / fasteners | $0.03 – $0.40 per square foot | $50 – $1,000 (total) |
| Truss / rafters | $60 –$700 per truss | $5.00 – $14.00 per square foot |
| Flashing | $1.00 – $2.00 per linear foot | $200 – $1,000 (total) |
| Ridge vent | $2.00 – $3.00 per linear foot | $7.00 – $15.00 per linear foot |
| Drip edge | $0.50 – $1.00 per linear foot | $1.50 – $3.00 per linear foot |
| Soffit and fascia | $1.00 – $10.00 per linear foot | $4.00 – $22.00 per linear foot |
| Removing old roof material | – | $1.00 – $3.00 per square foot |
*Including labor and materials.
The following factors also affect roofing materials prices:
Roof slope / size / accessibility – Multiple stories, pitches over 6:12, and complex roofs increase costs.
Structural issues – Dry rot, storm damage, and sagging indicate structural issues and may require replacing the trusses and decking.
Repairs – Roof repairs cost $150 to $1,000 for small leaks or $3,000 to $6,000 for major structural damage.
Reroofing vs. replacement – Reroofing, also called a roof-over or overlay, saves on removal costs but may reduce the roof's lifespan. Most cities limit roofs to a maximum of two layers.
Geographic location – Labor charges vary by location and demand. Replacing a roof in or near a big city may cost more.
Warranty – A roofing warranty is typically 25 to 30 years, but some manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty for high-end products.
Off-season – The peak season for roofing is late spring to fall. Roofing done during the off-season is typically cheaper but may take longer due to inclement weather.
Permits – A roofing permit costs $150 to $500 for replacement and $70 to $250 for repairs. Contractors often cover permits in their estimate.
Inspections – A roof inspection costs $100 to $400. An inspector can determine whether the roof needs new decking, rafters, or other repairs.
Cost of roofing nails / fasteners
Roofing nails and fasteners cost $0.03 to $0.40 per square foot, not including labor. Shingles, shakes, and composite roofs are nailed down, while metal roofs are fastened to the decking with screws, nails, or clips. Clay roof tiles are either nailed down or attached with wire or special clips.
Roof underlayment prices
Roof underlayment costs $0.75 to $4.00 per square foot installed or $0.10 to $0.80 per square foot for materials only. Underlayment protects the roof decking from damage and lasts 20 to 30 years.
Roof decking plywood prices
Roof decking costs $2 to $5 per square foot installed or $0.30 to $2.60 per square foot for materials, depending on type and quality. Decking, or sheathing, is commonly made of plywood and supports the weight of the roofing material.
Roof truss / rafter replacement
Roof trusses cost $5 to $14 per square foot installed. Truss prices are $60 to $500 per truss for wood or $150 to $700 per truss for steel, not including labor. Most residential roofs use wood trusses, which form the roof’s support structure and create its shape.
Other roofing materials and prices
Soffit and fascia / rake board – Soffit and fascia replacement costs $4 to $22 per linear foot. Soffits and fascia boards, or eaves, protect the attic against water and pests.
Ridge vent – Ridge vent installation costs $7 to $15 per linear foot or $350 to $600 total. A roof vent allows rising hot air to flow out of the home, preventing moisture buildup and improving energy efficiency.
Gutters and downspouts – New gutters cost $4 to $8 per linear foot installed or $600 to $1,600 total.
Skylight – A skylight costs $1,600 to $4,200 installed or $150 to $1,100 for the unit alone.
Flashing – Completely replacing flashing costs $400 to $1,000, while flashing repair costs $200 to $500. Flashing prevents leaks around joints and penetrations.
Drip edge – Drip edges cost $1.50 to $3.00 per linear foot installed or $150 to $600 on average. The best time to replace the drip edges or flashing is during a roof replacement.
What is the cheapest roofing material?
Asphalt 3-tab shingles are the cheapest roofing material for sloped roofs at $80 to $130 per square, not including labor. Rolled asphalt is the cheapest roofing material for flat roofs at $15 to $50 per square.
Getting estimates from roofing contractors
Before hiring a roofing company near you, be sure to:
Get three or more quotes to compare.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Look for companies certified by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).
Select a licensed, insured, bonded company with five or more years’ experience.
Be wary of extremely low or high estimates.
Beware of companies who recommend a full roof replacement if only repairs are needed.
Verify the roofing contractor has experience with your roof type.
Ask for a written estimate, contract, 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 in business?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Can you provide references for past work?
Are you a member of the NRCA? What certifications do you have?
Does your quote include waste disposal or taxes?
What additional costs should I expect?
How long will the project take?
What will you do in the event of bad weather?
How will you access my roof? What safety precautions will you take?
Will you obtain any necessary permits?
What does your warranty include?
Do you offer financing?