Metal Roofing Cost Breakdown: Materials, Labor, and Lifespan

She’s listening—waiting for the drip.

Her kids sing along to Frozen on the couch, but she barely hears them.

Her asphalt roof is 22 years old. And lately, every storm feels like rolling the dice.

She’s patched leaks, replaced shingles. But deep down, she knows the next repair won’t be the last.

What if the next roof she buys could be the last roof she ever buys?

That’s exactly what a metal roof delivers.

Metal Roofing Materials: What Are Your Options?

Not all metal roofs are the same. The material you choose affects cost, lifespan, appearance, and how the roof handles our local weather.

Materials also vary widely by price range.

Keep in mind that the ranges below could be up to $5 less or more depending on geographic area and current market conditions.

Here’s how the main options stack up:

Aluminum: Lightweight and Corrosion-Resistant

Aluminum is a natural fit for Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

But for most homes, aluminum hits the sweet spot between performance and price, lasting 40 years or more.

Galvanized Steel: Strong and Budget-Friendly

Steel is the workhorse of metal roofing. It’s strong, affordable, and when galvanized, it fights off rust for decades. 

The cost lands on the lower end of the metal spectrum—roughly $8–$14 per square foot installed.

Steel does weigh more than aluminum, so your roof structure needs to be able to handle it. But for the price, you get serious durability and a 40- to 60-year lifespan with basic maintenance.

Zinc: The Self-Healer

But for homeowners planning to stay put for decades, the minimal upkeep and 100-year potential make it worth a look.

Copper: The Investment Tier

Copper is the roof that generations fight over when the house sells. It starts bright and shiny, then weathers to that iconic green patina. 

Why Labor Costs More for Metal

Metal roofing isn’t just about different materials. It’s a different skill set.

Asphalt shingles get nailed down. Metal panels get engineered. Flashing, fasteners, expansion gaps, seam placement—every detail matters. One mistake and your warranty is toast.

That’s why labor runs higher. You’re paying for muscle and expertise. 

When the work is done right, the roof doesn’t leak, doesn’t lift, and doesn’t ask for much ever again.

What Affects Longevity

• Climate: PA throws everything at a roof—humid summers, freezing winters, nor’easters in between. Metal handles it. 
• Coatings: A good coating is like sunscreen for your roof. It reflects UV, resists fading, and stops rust before it starts. Cheap coating means early aging.
• Maintenance: Metal roofs aren’t zero-maintenance. They’re low-maintenance. If you clear debris from valleys, and check fasteners after big storms, you’re pretty much set. Do that, and your roof outlasts you. If you’d like a more in depth breakdown of the upkeep your metal roof needs, check out our blog: Best Practices for Metal Roof Maintenance.
• Warranty: Life happens, and when things out of your control impact your roof, you need a strong comprehensive warranty that includes both a workmanship and a manufacturer warranty. This way, your wallet and your roof are protected from errors during installation, as well as normal wear and tear, and many other issues. Here at GP Martini, we stand behind every metal roof with our “for the LIFE of your roof” guarantee. That’s a promise.

We have more information about the different types of roofing warranties and what they cover in our blog: Not All Roof Warranties Are Created Equal: Why the Company Behind the Warranty Matters Most.

The Financial Benefits

Let’s talk numbers.

An asphalt roof costs less upfront—maybe $6–$9 per square foot. But you replace it every 20 years, which is about three times in a 60-year homeownership span. Those replacements and repairs add up fast. 

This is how the price works out for a simple roof on a one story home:

• Shingle roof: $8,737 x 3 (3, 20-year lifespans) = $26,211
• Metal roof: $19,201 x 1 (1, 60-year lifespan) = $19,201

A metal roof costs more now, but you buy it once.

And if the upfront cost still feels high, financing options are available. You don’t have to drain savings to build long-term value.

Get Your Free Metal Roof Estimate

You don’t need to guess what your home needs or worry about hidden costs.

We’ll walk you through material options, explain what fits your budget, and give you a price that stays the price—no surprises.

Contact GP Martini Roofing today for your free estimate.

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