When asking the average person and you mention the subject roofing or even their own roof, generally two things come back as answers, if it is steep-slope the comments typically focus on its appearance or curb appeal such as looks great and matches the house so well. If it is a low-slope roof, people tend to have the out-of-sight, out-of-mind opinion, what they can’t see in general they give little thought to. Keeping that in mind, not giving your roof the thought it should get could cost more money throughout its lifetime.
Your roof does more than just sit there above your head. It shields you from all the elements that Mother Nature throws your way. Quality roofing doesn’t come cheap, and it does not take care of itself. If you are planning to replace your roof in 2025, it’s time to start thinking beyond writing a check for the work. A high-quality roof is an investment, and like any investment, it needs proper thought and attention so you get the return on your investment that everyone covets.
In this post, you will have a better understanding of what to expect to pay for a roofing replacement and why those numbers might look the way they do. We will also discuss how the upcoming industry trends might impact these figures.
Factors That Can Affect Your Roofing Replacement Cost
According to the latest report from The Freedonia Group, the total money spent on residential roofing is projected to rise at an 8.2% annual rate reaching $15 billion by 2025. Even though the amount of roofing work, in terms of size or area may not be increasing much, the cost of roofing services and materials is expected to rise, in some areas, significantly.
If you’re planning to get a new roof, expect to pay anywhere from $4 to $13 per square foot depending on some of the following factors:
Size of the Roof
One “square” of a roof equals 100 square feet, which is roughly a 10-foot by 10-foot area. If your roof is 2,000 square feet, that translates to 20 squares. Historically, most roofing materials are priced per square rather than per square foot. The average cost to replace a roof with asphalt shingles ranges from $400 to $900 per square. For 20 squares, the material costs alone could range from $8,000 to $18,000. Why the wide range in costs? There are many types, styles, and configurations of asphalt shingles. Additionally, traditional secondary products such as underlayment and edge metal come in various styles and quality levels, further influencing the total roof cost.
Labor and waste disposal costs also go up with size. Obviously, a larger roof takes more time to install, more man-hours are needed to complete the job. On top of this, the removal of an existing roof that is larger creates more waste and debris to be hauled away. Remember, the volume of underlayment, nails, flashings, etc. are all priced based on the roof’s total size or area.
Low-Slope Roofs (pitches <2/12) vs Steep-Slope Roofs (Pitches >2/12)
It is often believed that roofs that have a steeper slope usually cost more than flat roofs because their angular shape means workers work at an increased angle. Having a greater slope to work on makes it harder to balance and they may spend time setting up safety harnesses, scaffolding, and ladders. Historically, the more increase in the pitch angle, the greater the labor cost may be. The greater the pitch angle can also increase labor hours as workers freedom of movement is more limited.
That said, even though some low-slope roof types appear easier to install, they need a well-designed drainage system to avoid water pooling and shed water at a lesser rate, so installed quality is a must to avoid leaks. The more drains, gutters, or slopes you add to channel water away, can add costs. The material types for Low-Slope roofs are materials designed to perform under these building conditions, such as greater sun exposure and surface water exposure. The greatest of roof types with a long historical record of success is modified bitumen membranes do both. They are made of polymer-modified asphalts with resilient reinforcements, so they don’t tear or crack easily.
Types of Roofing Materials
2025 is shaping up to be a year where material choices matter more than ever. Ever-increasing prices for raw materials and the push for eco-friendly options make it imperative to plan.
Asphalt shingles will likely always be a great go-to for most homeowners with a steep-slope roof. They are affordable, reliable, and easily available. How much you pay per square foot will depend on the grade you choose. Three-tab shingles due to their simplistic design and lighter weight are traditionally the least costly and last 15 years or more depending on the quality of the shingle. This period exceeds the average ownership of a home at 7 years between buying and selling a home. Replacing and/or installing an asphalt shingle roof is not overly difficult; in fact, it’s the go-to choice for most DIYers as well as qualified roofing installers.
If you don’t like the flat and uniform look of the 3-tab shingle, architectural or dimensional shingles offer a textured, high-end appearance. The greater 25-40 years of lifespan is reflected in the greater cost for this product type. Another option for asphalt shingles is shingles that mimic the look of slate or cedar shakes while still being made of asphalt. These can easily last 30–50 years. That is why homeowners need to plan and have a vision for the look of the roof on their home. The roof should compliment the house, not take away from it.
The shift toward sustainability has made some metal roofing types more desirable to a limited percentage of the market. If you want to mount solar panels or boast of having a roof that is 100% recyclable at the end of its life, a steel or aluminum roof panel may be an option to consider, however, various panels may have limitations such as minimum slope, ability to have solar panels and color fade.
Another roof type and style option is roof tiles. Available in concrete or clay this roof covering type can be a highly desirable option for those seeking a specific look such as clay tile having a classic Mediterranean, Spanish, or Southwestern-style look. Concrete roof tiles offer curb appeal and can offer greater durability to clay, these generally can last 40–100 years or more.
If you have a low-slope roof, there are a variety of material types, styles, and appearances to choose from. Often a unique challenge with low-slope roofs is they are commonly insulated above the structural roof deck, whereas steep-slope roofs are insulated within the attic space. The ever-increasing Energy Code requirements see an increase in the required R-value needed for a structure be it a house or commercial building. There are many product choices from; asphaltic Modified Bitumen membranes (APP and SBS Mod-Bit), Thermoplastic membranes (TPO, PVC), and Thermoset membranes (EPDM) being the most common choices. The best product choice can be impacted by performance characteristics such as puncture, tear, and durability, as well as budget constraints.
Additional Considerations about Materials
Some roofing installations require specialized tools that a non-professional typically won’t have on hand or may not be available to retail consumers. For example, cutting concrete and clay roof tiles requires masonry or diamond saw blades. Installing metal panels involves the use of brakes and shearing tools, along with the specialized skills needed to operate them. Similarly, many low-sloped membrane systems demand tools that are not readily accessible to the average consumer.
In the steep-slope roof side, Slate and Copper panels sit at the top as the priciest options. Next in line are other metals like aluminum, Galvalume, and Zinc. Overlapping systems such as cedar shakes and Cedar shingles are imported to the US adding cost. Asphalt shingles in various types and styles are plenty and can be confusing but traditionally are the most budget-friendly choice.
If your heart is set on a high-end look but you don’t have the budget for it, there are a lot of options. Many premium roofing styles are now replicated in more reasonably priced materials. You can find metal roof products that look like slate, and some asphalt shingles that are made to look like wood shakes. There are always pros and cons to all choices so investigate all the information for each material type.
Labor and Installation Costs
Roofing is no exception to the ongoing shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry, unfortunately, this challenge shows no signs of improving anytime soon. As a result, most ever roof types are likely to rise in cost even more. Stricter safety regulations create a situation in which contractors are required to take more precautions, thereby slowing the installation and adding costs, which are passed on to the consumer. If your roof has a steeper slope or complex design, expect the cost to be higher than for a basic installation.
On the low-slope roof side, you can often offset regulatory and labor costs, sometimes to a substantial degree, by using advanced materials like Polyglass self-adhering roofing products. The ADESO® technology combines a polymer-modified bitumen upper layer with a self-adhesive bottom layer, so there is no need for torches, hot asphalt, or solvent adhesives. This not only speeds up the process but also enhances safety on the job site.
Location and Permitting
In areas with a high cost of living, such as California or New York, labor costs tend to be higher than in other areas. If roof replacement costs in Los Angeles are $300–$400 per square for labor, the same job in a smaller Midwest town could be closer to half those rates.
Factors such as local building codes are important to pay attention to and can often be overlooked by unprofessional contractors. To ensure the roof choice and installation can withstand weather extremes as they are designed, it is important to choose the correct system and installer. In regions prone to hurricanes or heavy snow, stringent regulations require certain materials or roof installation methods. For instance, the Florida Building Code mandates roofing and most building systems perform to a higher level of performance versus other regions. This will add cost to any residential or commercial project.
Trust Polyglass for All Your Roofing Material Needs
When investing in a project, it is important to think about more than just how much it will cost you upfront. You don’t want to sacrifice quality to stay within a budget. There is good news, Polyglass delivers on both counts; we make innovative products that make durable, premium roofing achievable without an elevated price point.
Polyglass’ ADESO® self-adhering roofing membranes stick firmly in place, withstand extreme weather, and still manage to cut down installation time. If you have a steep-slope roof, the Polyanchor® synthetic anchor sheet gives you a sturdy base that resists UV breakdown, wrinkling, and slipping. If you want extra moisture protection, all Polystick self-adhesive underlayments have you covered. For those circumstances where added fire protection is needed Polystick XFR overs a solution. Check out Polystick® underlayments to fortify your steep-slope roof for decades to come.
For all low-slope roof conditions, Polyglass offers the evolution of an extensive line of self-adhesive base, interply and cap sheet membranes to fit any roof design or condition. For those who choose to stay with more traditional membrane types, Polyglass offers a full line of traditional modified bitumen membrane systems that can be installed with traditional hot asphalt, cold adhesives, or heat-fusing.
Reach out today to find the perfect Polyglass products tailored to your roofing project.