How Much Does a Tin Roof Cost? [2025 Data]

Tin roofs are extremely durable and will usually last for twice as long as standard asphalt shingle roofs, or even longer. Tin roofs resist uplift from intense winds better than asphalt shingles, they shed snow and rain more efficiently, and they’re less likely to leak in most cases, especially if you choose a standing-seam metal roof with fewer seams and hidden fasteners. Overall, they provide better protection for your home than many other roofing types, while also offering greater value. They are also fire resistance and generally low maintenance.

Tin roof replacement costs an average of $19,250, and most homeowners pay between $6,600 and $33,000. This price range is for re-roofing the average home in the U.S., which is 1,850 square feet and needs around 2,200 square feet of roofing. Tin roofing prices vary based on the roof style, material thickness, roof complexity, and local labor costs.

Tin Roof Cost Per Square Foot

A tin roof costs an average of $8.75 per square foot, and prices range from $3 to $15 per square foot. Most roofers will price out the overall cost of a tin roof replacement based on the square footage or the number of roofing squares you need, with a square equaling 100 square feet. Larger homes will need more roofing for full coverage, which will drive up your costs. Steeper roof pitches will also require more material for a given home size, leading to higher prices.

Roof square footage can vary for a given home size due to differences in roof design, roof slope, and the number of stories your home has, but you can use the table below to get a general idea of the average cost of a tin roof based on your home’s living space.

Tin Roof Prices by Type

There are a few different styles of tin roof you can choose from: corrugated, standing seam, and metal shingles. These styles vary widely in cost, both because of differences in material costs and because of how easy or challenging it is to install them. For example, a corrugated tin roof or “exposed fastener” tin roof is easiest to adhere, while standing seam tin roofs have hidden fasteners that are more challenging to access for installation.

In addition to the cost differences between these roofing options, you should also consider the pros and cons of the different designs and how they’ll affect your costs, roof longevity, and home protection.

Corrugated Tin Roof Cost

A corrugated tin roof has a wavy appearance and exposed fasteners that your installer will drive right through the metal and into your roof decking. Corrugated metal roofing is the most budget-friendly option at just $3 to $12 per square foot, but it has a shorter lifespan than most other types, it’s more likely to leak due to the exposed fasteners, and it provides the least curb appeal. Most homeowners choose this for outbuildings like sheds and garages rather than their main structures.

Tin Metal Shingles Cost

Metal shingles, sometimes called stamped panels, come in small sections of what look like shingles or shakes. They have more seams than standing seam metal roofs, although the overlap between shingles during installation does keep the fasteners hidden. Metal shingles can provide a stunning curb appeal and a unique appearance, especially if you choose shingles that resemble other materials, like wood or clay tiles. Tin shingle installation costs between $5 and $14 per square foot.

Standing Seam Tin Roof Cost

Standing seam tin roofs are the most common. They consist of large panels that span your roof slopes top to bottom. They mostly sit flat on your roof decking, but there are raised ridges along the seams that hide the fasteners. This makes for a cleaner-looking roof for boosted curb appeal, and it also adds protection from leaks where the fasteners penetrate the material. Standing seam metal roofs last longer than corrugated roofs, but they’re the most expensive at between $6 and $15 per square foot.

Labor Cost to Install a Tin Roof

The average labor cost to install a tin roof is between $7,700 and $11,550, which means labor accounts for between 40% and 60% of your total tin roof installation cost. The labor cost per square of roofing (100 square feet) is between $120 and $900. For smaller homes with simple roof designs and a corrugated tin roof, labor costs could fall as low as $1,440, while larger homes with harder-to-install standing seam metal roofs and a complex roof design could push labor costs up to $32,400.

When calculating your labor cost, your roofing company will consider a few key things:

• The roof’s square footage

• The slope of the roof and how safe it is to walk on without scaffolding or additional safety equipment

• The complexity of the roof design and how much custom fitting they need to do

• The type of metal roof you choose and how complicated and time-consuming it is to install

• The local cost of living

Tin Roof vs. Shingles Cost

Asphalt roofing shingles are, by far, the most common roofing material in the U.S., so many homeowners will naturally want to compare asphalt shingles to a tin roof if they’re considering the metal alternative. Tin roofs cost twice as much, on average, but they last more than twice as long, so they provide more value. They also stand up better to heavy rain and extreme weather conditions.

Additional Cost Factors

Roof size and style are the most important cost factors to consider when installing a tin roof, but there are other factors that can bring your total cost above or below the average. Be sure to think about the following additional factors and the role they’ll play in your roof costs.

• Roof pitch and complexity: Steeper roofs have larger planes that require more material for adequate coverage, even for a given home size. Since metal roofs are especially popular in colder climates where steep roofs help avoid heavy snow accumulation, this is an important consideration. In areas that see excessive snowfall and require very steep roofs, you may pay higher labor costs since your pros will most likely need to work around additional safety equipment.

• Roof removal and disposal: In most cases, you’ll need to remove your existing roof before you install the new one. Some contractors include this fee in their labor costs, while others may charge anywhere from $1,000 to $7,400. You’re more likely to pay toward the higher end of that range if you have a heavy material installed, like clay tiles or slate, or if you have multiple layers of roofing to remove.

• Repairs: If your old roof leaked at any point, you could have water damage and potential rotting on your roof decking and the rafters below. These damages are challenging to prepare for, and fixing them can range widely in cost. Expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot for any necessary roof repairs.

• Geographic location: The local labor costs in your area can influence your tin roof installation. For example, the local cost of living in California and New York will drive up your total as opposed to installation in a more affordable state, like North Dakota or Missouri. Local material availability and even the popularity of metal roofs in your area can also affect your total.

• Permits and inspections: Most municipalities require permits for re-roofing projects, so you’ll need to account for permit and inspection fees. These usually range from $100 to $500. Your permit costs could increase if you need structural repairs due to unexpected damage, though.

• Gutters and gutter guards: Many homeowners also replace their gutters when they carry out a roof replacement, which can add between $2,300 and $4,400 to the total. If you live in an area that sees a lot of snow, snow guards or snow rails can help prevent avalanches that damage your car or landscaping features. These will add between $1,000 and $4,000 for the average-size home.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

With tin roof replacement averaging $19,250 and up to 60% of that going toward labor, some handy homeowners will wonder if they can save by completing the work themselves. This is not a good idea for a few key reasons.

• Safety: Most importantly, working on your roof is always dangerous and puts you at risk of serious injury. Even if you’re comfortable getting on your home and working with safety equipment, it’s best to leave the work to a professional, especially if you have a multi-story home or an unusually steep roof.

• Installation mistakes: It’s easy to make mistakes during roof installation if you don’t have experience, and errors can be very costly when it comes to your roof, which is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Even minor mistakes can end up costing you more than you’d save on labor.

• Curb appeal: Hiring a professional roofing contractor will more likely lead to a beautiful roof with no obvious errors from the street. DIYing can result in imperfections that detract from your curb appeal.

• Warranty issues: Most metal roofing manufacturers will void their product warranties if the roofing isn’t installed by a professional. Hiring a pro will give you the greatest peace of mind and the longest coverage for the materials, and many will also offer a labor warranty, which you’d never get with a DIY installation.

• Homeowner’s insurance coverage: Finally, if something goes wrong with your roof that leads to water damage or some other issue, your homeowner’s insurance provider may not cover the damage if they find out you didn’t have your roof installed by a pro.

Ways to Save on Your Tin Roof Installation

DIYing your tin roof installation isn’t the best option to save money, but there are other ways to help keep costs down.

• Choose a simpler roof design: Going with a corrugated tin roof will help keep your costs as low as possible, but even choosing tin shingles over a standing seam tin roof will save you some money without compromising on curb appeal.

• Install over your old roof if possible: You could save as much as $5,000 on your project if you avoid removing your old roof. It’s possible to install metal roofing over asphalt shingles, but always consult with your roofer before going this route. If there’s any risk of water damage to your decking, it’s not a good idea.

• Take advantage of tax credits and incentives: Tin roofs naturally reflect sunlight and prevent solar heat gain, so they can boost energy efficiency in hotter climates, especially if you choose a light-colored material. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for incentives, tax credits, and rebates for cool roofs.

• Get at least three quotes: Finally, shop around and get at least three estimates for your roof installation. Compare them based on cost and company reviews to find the best value.

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