The Average Cost of Roofing Per Square Foot

Asphalt

• Asphalt shingles are appropriate in any part of the country because they are able to withstand extremes in temperature and moisture conditions. You can also purchase asphalt shingles in a variety of colors to help your home color scheme. The average cost for asphalt shingles is between 80 cents and $1.20 per square foot, according to the Cost Owl website. The difference in cost is usually an indicator of how long your shingles last. Less-expensive asphalt shingles last an average of 15 to 20 years while the more expensive shingles can last up to 30 years.

Wood

• The price of wood roofing shingles can vary depending on the quality of the wood. Wood shingles are all cut to a uniform thickness, but the width may vary depending on the shingle designs. More common wood shingles are made from cedar and can cost between $3.75 to $4.25 per square foot, according to the Home Wyse website. A higher quality wood shingle would be made from pine and can cost anywhere between $4.75 and $5.25 per square foot. The cedar roofs last approximately 30 years, while a pine roof can last up to 50 years.

Metal

• Galvanized metal roofing is popular because it can be stamped and painted to look like asphalt or wood shingles and can last up to 30 years without any maintenance. Metal roofs come in 100-square-foot sections that cost an average of $350 to $650 per square, according to the New England Metal Roof website. At $3.50 to $6.50 per square foot, metal roofing prices are comparable to wood but slightly more expensive than asphalt.

Considerations

• When you are comparing prices of installation costs on your roof, remember to include the pitch of your roof in your estimates. The steeper your roof pitch, the more the roof will cost to be installed. According to the Cost Helper website, the average asphalt shingle roof installation can cost between $1 and $4 per square foot for a medium pitch. If you have a steeper pitch, then expect to pay a premium of at least 15 percent on your installation costs.