Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What is a standing seam metal roof?

A standing seam metal roof may be a strong, durable, safe choice when you’re considering metal roofing installation options. A standing seam refers to the raised seam where the sheet metal roofing panels join. Traditionally, shingles and roof panels lie flush to the roof, making them more prone to rust or penetration by water at their seams. In a standing seam metal roof, the raised (or standing) seams run vertically from the roof ridge to the eaves, with no horizontal seams. In addition, the fasteners joining the metal panels together are concealed, providing even fewer opportunities for water or moisture to build up. The cost to install a standing seam metal roof will depend on the type of metal you select, the size of your roof, and the cost of roofing labor in your region. Materials will play a major role in your metal roofing installation costs. If you select standard galvanized steel, the cost per square (100 square feet) might be in the $150-$300 range, while a high-end choice such as copper or zinc could be between $1,000 and $1,500 per square. Here is one example of cost:

Standing seam metal roof: $300 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $9,000 or more.

Can a metal roof be installed over shingles?

Metal roofs are durable, environmentally friendly, safe and budget-friendly. If you’re considering an update, metal roofing installation doesn’t have to mean completely removing your old roof. In many cases, metal roofing can be installed over your existing shingles. Research building codes in your state, as many require that after two roofs have been installed, all roofing materials must be completely removed before a third roof can be put on. This protects your home’s structural integrity and your family’s safety. Carefully read contractor reviews and choose someone with extensive experience with metal roofing installation. One concern when installing metal over shingles is that over time, condensation can build on the shingles and cause the metal to rust. This will lead to rust around the panels, making them more likely to come loose in a storm. Nationally, the average cost for metal roofing installation ranges from $6,000 to $20,000. The wide price range represents different roof sizes, different types of metal, and the cost of labor in different parts of the country — and can also include the cost of removing an old shingle roof prior to installing the metal. As a line item, the average cost of removing an old roof to prepare for installing a new roof, plus adding new roof decking, costs on average about $45-$75 per square (the pro roofer’s term for 100 square feet), depending on the pitch of the roof. Always make sure you have a clearly written contract and a warranty on both the labor and the metal.

How much does it cost for a metal roof?

Metal roofing installation is an attractive option thanks to metal’s long lifespan, hardiness and fire-retardant properties. Nationally, the average cost for metal roofing installation ranges from $6,000 to $20,000.There are different types of metal roofs, each with their own installation needs and materials costs. Roof size also affects your metal roofing installation costs, as do regional labor rates. Roof size is measured in squares; one square equals 100 square feet. Here are some examples of the average cost for a metal roof:

Standard metal roof: $120-$150 per square to start, including materials and labor

A 30-square roof (a 3,000-square-foot roof) could cost between $3,600 and $4,500 for a typical three-bedroom home.

Snap-Loc metal roof: $200-$225 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $6,000-$6,750.

Standing seam metal roof: $300 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $9,000 or more.

Tuff-Rib metal roof: $250-$350 per square to start, including materials and labor.

A 30-square roof could cost $7,500-$10,500.

Mid-range metal roof package, including all accessories: $300-$500 per square.

A 30-square roof could cost $9,000-$15,000.

High-end metal roof package — such as zinc or copper — and all accessories: $1,000-$1,500 per square.

A 30-square roof could cost $30,000-$45,000.

Mary R.

Verified review

Jason was very responsive to our concerns. He first came to our house within hours of our first request. We had had 2 well-known companies fail to follow through on estimates and visits so this was very refreshing. He quickly had an estimate to us, and then to our insurance company. Within 10 days of our first contact, we had our roof on. His crew arrived about 7 AM and had the old roof stripped by 2 PM. Jason had told us they would be finished by 6 PM but I was dubious at this point. But sure enough, the team of 4 conscientious and polite guys had the roof finished by 7 PM. They worked very well together. They were courteous and did a great job of cleaning up! I've found very few nails and just a few bits of the old sheeting that blew off the roof. By contrast, neighbors are now on Day 5 of having their similarly sized roof repaired with a different roofing company. We love the result! Jason also changed what the insurance company had planned for, upgrading the felt underlayment and adding some rain/snow guard sheeting, which the insurance company agreed to pay for after he discussed with them. His crew also completely refurnished the flashing around our two 105 year old chimneys. We had lost a good number of shingles during a major windstorm in July, then had a torrential rain just before the new roof went on. Fortunately, only the front porch roof leaked that day. I am very glad I didn't play the calling and waiting game with another roofer. I have great peace of mind knowing that our house is once again safe from water damage. Thanks to Jason and his crew that I can enjoy the sound of rain on my roof again!

Arnold O.

John from Paragon Roofing was very professional, courteous, and explained scope of work clearly regarding leaks on my roof and siding repair. The job was completed in a timely manner and John has assured me that should there be any problems with any of the work performed, he will address it. Arnold O.

Forrest G.

Kelley and Kingdom did an outstanding job and I will not hesitate to use him again if I need that service. Also, I recommend him and his company unequivocally to anyone who might be interested and ask about Kelley and Kingdom Roofing. He came out, inspected the roof, clearly explained what his crew would do, and answered my detailed questions clearly and concisely. His price was lower that the others that I received because he listened to me and considered my input carefully and applied what he learned to his quote. When the old materials were removed, they were just piled up around the perimeter of my house. As a result, ingress and egress were somewhat restricted for about 24 hours but I reminded myself that this is a construction zone temporarily and the trailer showed up the 2nd day and the mess was thoroughly cleaned up. So, my concern was resolved before I had a chance to complain to Kelley. The crew knows what they are doing. I have waited a few weeks to log my comments to be sure I was still happy after the job was done for a while. Well, I am still happy! If you need a new roof or a repair, contact Kingdom and Kelley. You will be glad that you did! I certainly am! Thank you Kelley!

Melissa H.

Corey and his team were excellent. They cleaned out our gutter clog, and then went on to help uncover a few additional problems on the roof, and fixed them for a small additional fee. He also quoted a new roof for us while he was there. We will be calling Corey the next time we have a roofing or gutter repair need!

Dane M.

Hands down the best experience I've had with a contractor for gutter cleaning. Tony was able to squeeze me in same day as my request, and Tim went above and beyond cleaning my gutters, fixing popped nails, and making sure everything was in good shape. Great price too.

Janet M.

Tom came out and was able to make the minor repairs of sealing around the vent that was leaking. I was happy it could all be done in the same trip. He inspected the roof and chimney to make certain no other issues were present.

Gail M.

Mr.Reyes was always at my house when he said he'd be there. He told me due to the 90+ heat it might take them 2 days to do the house. However they took a long break at 12 noon came back and worked on a Saturday until after 6PM to complete the roof. Their clean up job I would rate at a 99%, their is little flake of material that just couldn't be picked up; otherwise their clean up was very good. I was outside working in the yard and one the young guys was down on the ground saw me struggling with a cart and he came running up to me and took it to were I was going to work in the flower beds. All Mr. Reyes workers were very nice and kind to me. Mr. Reyes and his roofing group are great workers.

Randy F.

Excellent customer service. From the time we decided to look for a roofing company to the point Titan finished the project, we were treated like we were the most important customer in town. Have recommended Titan and will continue to do so in the future!

Dennis A.

Rick did a kitchen floor for us and we could not be more pleased with the result. He worked by himself and finished in a timely manner at way less than the big box store contractors.....D.M.A.

Scott M.

Brad and his staff delivered as promised and we couldn't be more satisfied with their work. Our basement was completely and professionally remodeled and Brad worked with us every step of the way including changes that we wanted to make during the process. They also made it a point to clean up each day and respected our home which is a nice touch if you have had other contractors that didn't do this in the past. I would highly recommend Brad and Alhi to anyone for any construction needs. Easy and professional to work with and there are no surprises.

Rachel F.

I had hired four other roofing crews before Jon Mckinney. He was the last, he got it right and came back the very next day when the wind got ahold of a tarp. We will be using his company in the future.

Ken J.

Paramount and their agent Kendrick were very responsive to our request for service. They provided what certainly appears to be a quality product in a timely manner and delivered on their promise of completion date. On a job that many companies though was not large enough to warrant immediate attention, Paramount was there. Great experience and I would use them again if needed.

Tyler C.

I did an entire roof repair with American Roofing and the quality from start to finish was top notch. The team gave me one of the best bids that we received, they walked us through the entire process, and everything was completed as they said it would be. They were always on time, worked their butts off, and even refused water or lunch. I will be shocked if they do not become the go to roofing company in Ohio. I am beyond impressed and thankful.

Samantha C.

The best roofing company we received bids from by far. They quickly installed our beautiful new roof and explained every step of the process. They were able to get us more money from the insurance company too!!!

Billie M.

Very thankful for the work HTC Roofing did on replacing our siding and the stone upgrade on the garage section of our home. Our insurance covered the siding replacement due to hail damage (original siding was aluminum), HTC was extremely helpful in getting this processed. They worked closely with us and our insurance company which made for efficient and timely approval. The crew was hard-working and professional! We love the new look of our home too!

Weston M.

Paramount, I am impressed with the work you did. Very professional and timely, and did incredible work! I will recommend this company to anyone who needs work done on a roof. You won't go wrong with these guys!

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