Shingle roofs are a popular option for many homeowners because of their distinct design and necessary protection purposes. However, many people are concerned about the cost of installing a shingle roof. Taking on a home renovation project can be a costly task. Therefore, it’s vital to budget and have an idea of the cost.
On average, the cost to install new asphalt shingles ranges between $8,000 and $9,000. However, this depends on your particular property, as prices can also hit around the $12,000 mark or higher or even be as little as $5,000. Other materials like metal, wood, or clay will also have different prices. If you want to know more about the cost of installing a shingle roof, keep reading!
How Much Does Shingle Roof Installation Cost?
The Average Cost
The cost of installing a shingle roof depends on a wide range of factors, such as materials, size, complexity, and more. Labor is another crucial factor to consider, as roofing contractors charge different rates. However, in general, the average costs of installing a shingle are:
- Low cost: $5,500
- Average cost: S8,500
- High cost: $12,000
Average Cost Per Square Foot
The size of your roof is one of the major determinants when it comes to the cost of installing shingles. Size is often calculated in square feet or squares (1 square = 100 square feet). As you may expect, the more square feet your roof is, the higher the cost. Keep in mind that the cost per square foot also differs based on your chosen shingle material. Asphalt shingles, for example, usually cost between $1 and $2 per square foot.
In general, you can expect to pay the following based on the size of your roof:
- 750 square feet: $700 – $800
- 1,000 square feet: $910 – $1,100
- 1,500 square feet: $1,400 – $1,600
- 1,750 square feet: $1,600 – $1,850
- 2,000 square feet: $1,810 – $2,110
Average Cost Per Material
Materials are probably the biggest factor contributing to your roof installation’s cost. Based on the material, you can expect to pay the following prices per square of shingles:
- Asphalt: $90
- Wood: $350 – $500
- Composite: $400
- Metal: $275 – $400
- Clay: $300 – $1,000
- Solar: $2,200
Let’s look at these materials in further detail:
Asphalt Shingles
If you’re looking at black, brown, or gray three-tab asphalt shingles, you can expect to pay approximately $90 per square. In fact, some asphalt shingles cost even less than this, making asphalt shingles your most affordable option overall. However, this is not to be mistaken for poor quality. Asphalt shingles are still strong and durable. They’re also easy to find, so you shouldn’t experience any problems with sourcing materials.
Another reason why asphalt shingles are so popular is because they’re easy to work with, regardless of whether you’re repairing or replacing them. When it comes to repairs, you should be able to easily find something that blends in seamlessly with the existing shingles.
Wood Shingles
There are two types of wood shingles, namely shakes and true shingles. You can expect to pay between $350 and $500 per square for these options.
Wood shakes usually vary in thickness and size; therefore, they’re not ideal if you’re going for uniformity. However, if you prefer a more rustic and lived-in look, shakes might be your ideal option. Shingles, on the other hand, come in the same size and are flat. Therefore, shingles are the way to go if you’re looking for a clean look.
Composite Shingles
If you’re in the market for premium, high-quality composite shingles, you can expect to pay $400 and above per square. Many people consider this price worth it as composite shingles are versatile, design-flexible, and can be used to create almost any look you’re after.
Nevertheless, there is still a more affordable option when it comes to composite shingles. These options are similar to asphalt shingles in that they mimic the texture and look. Therefore, they are also priced quite similarly to asphalt shingles.
Get ahead with our 2023 guide on shingle roof installation costs. Stay informed about the latest expenses to make your roofing decisions smart and budget-friendly. #HomeUpgrade #RoofingCostshttps://t.co/6PZktWn9Nm pic.twitter.com/z7DC0aD9BN
— Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR (@WDRofAustin) November 21, 2023
Metal Shingles
Metal shingles are distinct from standing seam metal roofing, another common metal roofing option. When installing standing seam metal, a roofing contractor will use large sheets attached side-by-side. To stop water from leaking through, the seams, also known as the legs, are raised above the horizontal, flat roofing surface.
Metal shingles are more expensive than standing seam metal roofs, costing around $400 per square. Metal shingles have a more conventional appearance than standing seam’s big panels since they are smaller. Installing a high-quality wood-like stamped metal shingle roof can range from $1,100 to $1,200 per square.
Clay Shingles
Clay shingles can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per square, landing them on the pricier end of the scale. However, this is considered an effective, long-lasting option that can justify this price.
In fact, this is probably one of the most durable roofing materials and can last for as long as 100 years. Therefore, anyone planning to live on their property for many years could benefit from opting for clay shingles.
Solar Shingles
Topping the list as the most expensive material is solar shingles. The cost of solar shingles ranges between $15,000 and $20,000. However, much like the other materials mentioned above, the overall cost depends on a number of factors, including:
- The size of your roof
- The manufacturer of the solar shingles
- Your energy consumption
- Your chosen installer
Also referred to as solar roof tiles, they overlay or replace your existing shingles. They are made from photovoltaic sheets and absorb and transform sunlight into electricity. It’s important to keep in mind that this roofing option is more expensive than installing solar panels because of the wide range of materials required.
What Factors Affect The Cost Of Roof Shingle Installation?
It’s normal for the cost of roof shingle installation to consist of a wide range of factors. A few of the most common elements that make up the total cost include materials, the nature of the job (repair vs. replacement), labor, sealant, pitch and height, warranties, brands, and additional services.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with these components so that you can create a useful budget when estimating the cost of your installation.
Shingle Roofing Materials
Despite asphalt shingles being the most widely used roofing material because of their affordability, you may choose a different type of material if you have a specific design in mind. In this instance, the final cost will depend on the shingle type you select.
The price of other materials, such as roof deck replacement or repair, underlayment, metal flashing, caulk, nails, ridge vent, etc., are extra expenses to take into account. Ridge cap shingles are also something that needs to be considered. These are shingles that cover your roof’s ridge. You can expect to find all of these items listed in your quote.
Repair vs. Replacement
The cost of roof replacement varies largely from repairing your roof. Minor repairs, such as replacing a few broken shingles, are usually affordable and quick. However, when you do a full roof replacement, you increase the square footage of the space that needs to be worked on, resulting in a more expensive quote.
Labor
You need a professional to install roofing shingles. Therefore, you must expect to pay a labor cost for the services. Different roofing companies have different labor rates.
Roofing Sealant
Many people overlook sealant; however, this is a vital material used to stick the shingles to the roof. The price will vary depending on the type of sealant the contractor uses.
Pitch and Height
The height and pitch of your roof are taken into account when estimating the cost to shingle it. Both these factors affect how many shingles are needed for your roofing project. If you have a high roof, you can expect to pay more for shingles, which will ultimately increase your final cost.
Warranties
Warranties are a significant aspect that can impact how much roofing shingles cost. Comprehensive and longer warranties are often more expensive up front, depending on the warranty’s terms, coverage, and duration.
Longer warranties, for instance, give homeowners more assurance and often indicate the use of premium components and production techniques. Due to the increased value and protection that lengthier warranties offer, shingles tend to cost more upfront. The price of roof shingles may also vary depending on the warranty’s exact conditions and coverage.
Brands
The price tag isn’t the only factor you should consider when looking for roof shingles. The price of roof shingles can be significantly impacted by a brand’s reputation. Several brands of roof shingles are available on the market, each with a distinctive offering. Prices for well-known brands with a solid track record of creating high-quality goods are generally higher.
Additional Services
You should take into account additional roof services that may affect the overall cost of your project. To further minimize water infiltration, flashing can be installed around roof penetrations, including vents, chimneys, and skylights. The current flashing needs to be repaired or replaced to maintain a watertight seal and safeguard your roof.
Another crucial consideration when you install roof shingles is your chimney. When you’re installing a new roof, it is crucial to fix any gaps or cracks in the mortar and brickwork around your chimney since this area is susceptible to water damage and could eventually cause structural problems.
Lastly, you also want to consider your gutters. Gutters are essential when it comes to preventing water damage and protecting your roof’s foundation. Thus, you might also have to consider gutter repair or replacement when undertaking your roof project.
Should You Hire A Professional Roofing Contractor For Shingle Installation?
Trying to install roof shingles by yourself comes with greater risks. While it might seem like the more affordable option, you don’t have the necessary skills, tools, equipment, and experience to complete the job the same way a professional would. This could result in a low-quality and unappealing result. Plus, if you installed anything incorrectly, this could lead to further issues down the line. If you do make mistakes, this would result in wasted time and money and cause more frustration for you. You might even end up spending more money than you would’ve by hiring a professional in the first place, as you would need to reverse the damage, buy new materials, and get the job done again.
Signs You Need To Replace Your Roof Shingles
It can be difficult to determine when it’s time for new shingles. Look out for the following signs indicating you need to install new roof shingles:
- Visible wear and tear – rusting
- Broken shingles
- Water damage
- Granule buildup
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there’s no cookie-cutter answer when it comes to determining the cost of shingle roof installation. There are a number of variables to consider, which have different impacts on the final cost depending on your unique circumstances. However, by considering these factors, you’ll be able to determine an appropriate budget and decide whether your contractor is giving you a fair and reasonable quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to install roof shingles, you should hire a professional to do the job. This is a labor-intensive and precise job that requires skills, knowledge, and experience. Therefore, attempting to install new shingles by yourself could lead to major errors that could cost more to fix than hiring a professional in the first place
The basic steps to shingle a roof are:
- Prepare the roof deck by smoothing it, filling in any holes or gaps, ensuring it’s properly fastened to the roof trusses, and cleaning it.
- Install the drip edge of the roof, which is the foundation.
- Install an ice protection membrane at the eaves and over the drip edge.
- Install the roof underlayment.
- Cover all the joints and valleys with a flashing material.
- Install the shingles.
- Install the hip and ridge cap shingles.
The exact timeframe for installing asphalt shingles differs depending on a range of factors, such as the size of the roof, the number of people working on the project, weather conditions, additional services, and more. However, on average, it takes approximately one to three days to install asphalt shingles.
Roofing contractors install roofing underlayment underneath the shingles. This provides a layer of protection against any water or other possible risks of damage. The underlayment is often also referred to as roofing felt.