Metal vs Asphalt 50-Year Cost Calculator
Compare what each roof costs over 50 years, not just on install day.
50-year cost, asphalt vs metal
$86,722 vs $23,696
3 asphalt roofs vs one metal roof
Asphalt pricing is the middle of our published range; the 1.8x stone-coated figure comes from two published Berkley jobs and the higher multiples from the tiers on our roof replacement page. The metal figure assumes the roof lasts the full 50 years, which Tilcor stone-coated steel is warranted for. The comparison leaves out resale, insurance discounts and repairs, all of which favor metal.
A metal roof in Michigan typically costs $26,000 to $53,000 installed, the middle half of the quotes we have actually written. Tilcor stone-coated steel usually lands between $26,000 and $45,000, standing seam between $30,000 and $53,000. The system you pick, the size and pitch of your roof, and whether it is a tear-off move the number from there. Use the calculator above to see how that stacks up against asphalt over the life of the roof. Written by Aaron Scott, licensed Michigan residential builder and owner of Roofing Army, which installs both asphalt and metal roofs.
How much does a metal roof cost in Michigan?
We quote metal roofs every week, and the numbers below are pulled from those actual quotes, not a national estimate. Across 134 Tilcor stone-coated steel quotes we have written, the middle half fall between $26,000 and $45,000. Across 12 standing seam quotes, the middle half fall between $30,000 and $53,000. Put the two systems together and the overall middle-half range for a metal roof here is $26,000 to $53,000.
| System | Middle-half quote range | Typical multiple vs. asphalt |
|---|---|---|
| Tilcor stone-coated steel | $26,000 to $45,000 | 1.8 to 2.5 times |
| Standing seam | $30,000 to $53,000 | About 3 times |
Only one metal job is in our public job gallery so far: 1957 Edgewood Boulevard in Berkley, a 2,713 square foot Tilcor stone-coated steel roof in Charcoal Blend, for $43,262.52. That price sits inside the middle-half Tilcor range above, on a roof that is larger than most of the homes we work on, which is exactly why ranges matter more than a single number.
Notice the sample sizes behind those two ranges are not close: 134 Tilcor quotes against 12 standing seam quotes. Standing seam is the system fewer homeowners choose, usually because of the higher upfront number, so its range is built on a smaller set of quotes and can shift more as new jobs come in. The Tilcor range is steadier simply because we have written more of them.
How much does a metal roof cost per square foot?
On the Berkley job, $43,262.52 for 2,713 square feet works out to $15.95 per square foot of roof, not the home's floor area. That single real number is more useful than most online metal roof cost calculators, which tend to quote wide, generic per-square-foot ranges that are not anchored to an actual installed project. We would rather show you one real roof than a guess.
Fifty-eight calls to our office in a recent stretch were homeowners asking specifically about metal roofing, more than any other material question besides shingle brand and color. The question we hear most after "what does it cost" is "why is the quote across the street so different from mine," and the answer is almost always one of the factors below.
Why do metal roof quotes vary so much?
A quarter of the quotes we write span 100 percent or more between the cheapest and priciest option on the same roof, and metal is usually the reason; asphalt-to-metal is the widest spread we quote. These are the factors that actually move a metal roof number:
- Which system. Tilcor CF Shingle, Tilcor CF Shake, and standing seam all price differently for the same roof, with standing seam at the top. Barn metal on a pole barn or outbuilding is priced per building, separate from these ranges.
- Size of the roof. Metal is priced by the square, the same as asphalt, so more roof area is the single biggest driver.
- How steep and cut up the roof is. Valleys, dormers, and steep pitches take more labor and more trim on a metal roof than on a simple gable.
- Over one layer, or a full tear-off. Tilcor and standing seam can go over one sound layer of existing shingles on most homes, which costs less than a full tear-off. Two existing layers, soft decking, or an active leak mean a tear-off either way.
- Trim, flashing, and snow guards. Chimney and valley flashing, ridge caps, and snow guards above doors, walkways, and gas meters add up differently depending on the home's layout.
We run a ventilation analysis on every estimate regardless of material, and every metal quote is written line by line so you can see exactly which of these factors is driving your own number.
If you already have a quote in hand, the Berkley job's $15.95 per square foot is a useful reference point for a sanity check, not a promise. Multiply your own roof's square footage by that figure and see where it lands against the $26,000 to $45,000 Tilcor range or the $30,000 to $53,000 standing seam range above. A number far outside those bands in either direction is worth a second look, the same way it is on an asphalt quote.
Is the extra cost of a metal roof worth it?
That depends on how long you plan to stay in the home, and it is the question the calculator above is built to answer. We walk through lifespan, warranties, snow and ice behavior, resale, and insurance in full in our metal vs. asphalt lifetime cost guide, and we will not repeat that math here. For the two systems themselves, Tilcor stone-coated steel is our middle tier, and standing seam is the longest-life, highest-cost system we sell. Both are explained in full, with colors and specs, on the metal roofing page.
What should be in a metal roof quote?
Part of what you are paying for in a metal roof's higher price is the warranty behind it. Tilcor's own lifetime limited warranty is transferable to a future owner, and covers wind to 120 mph and hail to 2.5 inches. Ask any contractor quoting metal roofing to put the manufacturer's actual warranty terms in writing rather than a verbal "lifetime" promise, and compare that against the price before deciding a lower quote is the better deal.
Whether you get a quote from us or someone else, a real metal roof quote should spell out every item below. A one-page quote with a single number on it is not enough information to compare against anything.
- Exact system and color, such as Tilcor CF Shingle in Charcoal Blend or a specific standing seam panel and gauge, not just "metal roof."
- Over one layer or full tear-off, stated plainly, and what happens if more than one layer is found once the old roof comes off.
- Snow guard placement, if the roof has standing seam over any entry, walkway, deck, or gas meter.
- Ventilation plan, since a metal roof does not fix a poorly vented attic by itself.
- Manufacturer warranty terms in writing, including whether it is transferable, plus the contractor's own workmanship warranty.
- Payment terms. We do not take deposits on metal roofs any more than we do on asphalt. You pay when the job is done and you are satisfied.
Paying for a metal roof
A metal roof's higher upfront price is where financing tends to matter most; spreading $30,000 to $53,000 over a term can make the standing seam number workable even when the lifetime math already favors it. We also give every customer five quotes at different price points, asphalt and metal side by side, so the decision is based on real numbers rather than a single take-it-or-leave-it bid.
Get a Real Metal Roof Number for Your Home
Ranges are a starting point, but your roof has an exact price once we see it. We serve Southeast Michigan from offices in Oxford, Ferndale, and Rochester Hills, including Berkley, where our one published metal job sits. Schedule a free inspection and get five written quotes, with no deposit required, through our roof replacement page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a metal roof cost in Michigan?
The middle half of the metal roof quotes we have written falls between $26,000 and $53,000. Tilcor stone-coated steel usually runs $26,000 to $45,000, and standing seam $30,000 to $53,000. Our one published metal job, a 2,713 sq ft Tilcor roof in Berkley, cost $43,262.52.
How much does a metal roof cost per square foot?
On our published Berkley job, a 2,713 sq ft Tilcor stone-coated steel roof cost $43,262.52, or about $15.95 per square foot of roof area. Stone-coated steel typically runs 1.8 to 2.5 times the asphalt price for the same house, and standing seam about 3 times.
Why do metal roof quotes vary so much?
A quarter of the quotes we write span 100 percent or more between the cheapest and priciest option on the same roof, and metal is usually why. The system you choose, roof size and pitch, whether it is a tear-off or goes over one existing layer, and trim and snow guards all move the number.
Is a metal roof worth the extra cost over asphalt?
It depends mainly on how long you plan to stay in the home. Our metal vs. asphalt lifetime cost guide walks through the full comparison, including lifespan, warranties, and resale, with a calculator that runs the numbers for your own roof size and time horizon.
Can I finance a metal roof in Michigan?
Yes. We offer financing on metal roofs the same as asphalt, which can turn a $30,000 to $53,000 standing seam project into a monthly payment. We do not require a deposit on any roof, metal or asphalt; you pay when the work is done.
What warranty comes with a metal roof?
On Tilcor stone-coated steel, the manufacturer backs the tiles with a lifetime limited warranty that is transferable to a future owner, covering wind to 120 mph and hail to 2.5 inches. Get the manufacturer's actual warranty terms in writing, plus the contractor's own workmanship warranty, before you sign.
