What Is the Cost for Roof Installation?

Asphalt Shingles

• Asphalt shingles, available as organic or fiberglass shingles, are the most common roofing materials in the United States because they are relatively inexpensive and are not difficult to install. At the time of publication, materials to install an asphalt shingle roof on a home with a sloping roof of 1,700 to 2,100 square feet costs between $680 to over $3,500. The cost for a professional to remove old roofing materials and installing new asphalt shingles at the time of publication is about $1,500 to $8,000.

Wood Shingles or Shakes

• Natural wood shingles, which are machine-cut, and shakes, which are are handmade, are made from cedar, redwood, southern pine and other woods. Wood shingles and shakes are prone to fire and mold, need frequent maintenance and don't last as long as other roofing materials. At the time of publication, installing wood shingles or shakes on a home with a sloping roof of 1,700 to 2,100 square feet costs about $6,500 to over $20,000. However, installing fire-resistant roofing made of plastic or recycled materials molded to look like wood can cost about $12,500 to over $18,000.

Tiles

• Tiles, made of clay or concrete, are durable, fire-resistant, available in a variety of colors and finishes and are not penetrable by insects. At the time of publication, the cost of installing a concrete tile roof for a basic roof on a home is about $7,600 to over $20,000. The installation of standard ceramic clay tiles costs about $12,000 to $2,000 and the installation of custom-shaped and colored ceramic tiles is about $17,000 to $60,000.

Metal

• Metal roofing, available in panels and shingles, is lightweight, durable, fire-resistant, resistant to adverse weather and doesn't rot. At the time of publication, having a steel roof professionally installed on a simple one-story house costs about $5,000 to $22,000. Installing an aluminum roof costs about $12,000 to over $24,000 and installing a copper roof costs about $25,500 to $40,000.

Slate

• Slate, available in different colors and grades, is more expensive than other roofing materials because it is nearly indestructible and requires special skill and experience to install. At the time of publication, installing slate tiles on a 1,700 to 2,100 square foot roof costs about $17,000 to $84,000 or $27,000 to $120,000 for a 3,000-square-foot roof. Roofing made of fire-resistant plastic or recycled materials molded to look like slate tiles on a house with a 1,700 to 2,100 square foot roof costs about $12,000 to $19,000 and about $20,000 to $27,000 for a 3,000-square-foot roof.