Cost of Metal Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles

Cost Formulas:

\[ C_m = Q \times P_{square\_m} + C_{labor\_m} \] \[ C_a = Q \times P_{square\_a} + C_{labor\_a} \]

Roof Size (Q):

squares

Metal Price:

$/square

Asphalt Price:

$/square

Metal Labor Cost:

Asphalt Labor Cost:

Metal Roofing Cost (C_m):

Asphalt Shingles Cost (C_a):

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1. What is this Roofing Cost Comparison Calculator?

Definition: This calculator compares the total costs of installing metal roofing versus asphalt shingles for a given roof size.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and contractors make informed decisions about roofing materials based on cost considerations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

\[ C_m = Q \times P_{square\_m} + C_{labor\_m} \] \[ C_a = Q \times P_{square\_a} + C_{labor\_a} \]

Where:

$ C_m $ — Total cost of metal roofing ($)
$ C_a $ — Total cost of asphalt shingles ($)
$ Q $ — Roof size in squares (1 square = 100 sq ft)
$ P_{square\_m} $ — Metal roofing price per square ($/square)
$ P_{square\_a} $ — Asphalt shingles price per square ($/square)
$ C_{labor\_m} $ — Metal roofing labor cost ($)
$ C_{labor\_a} $ — Asphalt shingles labor cost ($)

Explanation: The calculator computes material costs by multiplying roof size by price per square, then adds labor costs for each option.

3. Importance of Roofing Cost Comparison

Details: Comparing costs helps budget for roofing projects and understand the price difference between premium (metal) and standard (asphalt) options.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your roof size in squares (divide total sq ft by 100), material prices per square, and estimated labor costs for each option.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical price range for metal roofing?
A: Metal roofing typically costs $100-$300 per square, depending on material type (steel, aluminum, copper).

Q2: What's a typical price range for asphalt shingles?
A: Asphalt shingles typically cost $80-$120 per square, depending on quality and warranty.

Q3: Why is metal roofing labor more expensive?
A: Metal requires specialized installation techniques and tools, often taking longer to install properly.

Q4: How do I measure my roof in squares?
A: Calculate your roof's total square footage (length × width for each plane) and divide by 100.

Q5: Which lasts longer, metal or asphalt?
A: Metal roofs typically last 40-70 years, while asphalt lasts 15-30 years, making metal more cost-effective long-term.