Home Cost Report

Metal roof cost in Chicago

Metal roof in Chicago costs about $15,400 to $46,200 (typically $28,600) — local prices run about 10% above the national average.

These figures adjust our national metal roof range to Chicago's local cost level — see the method and sources below.

Low
$15,400
Typical
$28,600
High
$46,200

About $7.70 – $23.10 per sq ft of roof, installed

How we localized this

We start from our national metal roof range of $14,000–$42,000 and adjust it for Chicago, where costs run about 10% above the national average. Chicago construction costs run modestly above the national average — high union labor rates are the main driver, partly offset by a deep, competitive contractor market that keeps bids in check. Recent cost increases have tracked at or slightly below the national pace. Materials are priced roughly nationally, so treat this as an approximation — your actual price depends on your home, contractor, and project specifics.

Chicago cost sources (2)

Chicago's strong union labor presence raises wage rates above the national average, though a deep, competitive contractor market keeps bids from running away. Harsh winters are hard on roofs and make furnace reliability critical, and the short building season concentrates demand from spring through fall. Older housing stock means more electrical-panel upgrades and sewer-line work than in newer metros.

Estimate your Chicago metal roof

Estimate by roof size and metal type. The estimate starts from our published per-square-foot range.

Adjusts the estimate to local cost levels. Pick a metro or leave on national.

Steeper, taller, or more cut-up roofs cost more to work on.

Metal is one of the few roof types that can sometimes go over one existing layer, where code and roof condition allow it.

Estimated cost for your options in Chicago
$15,400 – $46,200
Typical: $28,600
Adjusted for Chicago — costs there run about 10% above the national average.

How we got this

Starts from our published metal roof range (per sq ft of roof × 2,000), adjusted for:

  • Metal type: Standing seam steel or aluminum (most common)×1
  • Roof complexity: Simple (1 story, low slope)×1
  • Tear-off: Full tear-off (standard)×1
  • Area: Chicago×1.1

These figures are planning estimates compiled from public cost data on the dates shown — not quotes, bids, or guarantees. Real prices vary widely with your home, location, materials, permits, and contractor. Always get itemized written quotes from licensed local pros before budgeting or hiring.

What changes the price

  • Metal type — Raises cost

    Steel and aluminum are the mainstream choice. Copper and zinc cost roughly twice as much for the material alone.

  • Panel style — Raises cost

    Standing seam (hidden fasteners, higher-end look) costs more than corrugated or exposed-fastener panels, which are the budget option.

  • Roof pitch & complexity — Raises cost

    Steep roofs and many valleys, dormers, or facets slow the job and raise cost.

  • Tear-off vs. overlay — Raises cost

    A full tear-off costs more than installing over a single existing layer of shingles with furring strips, when the roof and local code allow it.

  • Gauge & finish — Raises cost

    Thicker metal gauge and premium factory finishes (like Kynar/PVDF) hold color longer but cost more than standard paint.

  • Roof size — Raises cost

    Roofers price by area; bigger roofs cost more in total, though the per-square-foot rate often drops slightly on larger jobs.

Get real quotes for your Chicago metal roof

Our ranges are for planning. The only way to know your real price is itemized quotes from licensed local pros — always get at least three before you hire.

Tip: search for licensed, insured Chicago metal roof contractors in your area, check reviews and references, and compare written itemized bids — not just bottom-line numbers.

Metal roof cost — FAQ

How much does a metal roof cost?
Most homeowners spend about $14,000–$42,000 to install a metal roof on a typical 2,000 sq ft roof, averaging around $26,000. Installed, that's roughly $7–$21 per square foot depending on the metal and panel style you choose.
Standing seam vs. corrugated metal roofing — what's the cost difference?
Standing seam is the most common style for a full metal roof replacement, with hidden fasteners and a cleaner look. Corrugated (exposed-fastener) panels are the budget option — roughly a third cheaper — because the panels are simpler to produce and install, though the exposed screws need periodic resealing over the roof's life, an upkeep step standing seam avoids.
Is a metal roof worth the extra cost over asphalt shingles?
A metal roof typically costs 2–3x an asphalt shingle roof upfront, but it usually lasts 40–70 years versus 15–30 years for asphalt — often one metal roof for every two or three shingle roofs over a home's life. Lower maintenance and, in many areas, a homeowners-insurance discount for impact resistance narrow the lifetime cost gap even though the sticker price is higher.
Can a metal roof go over my existing shingle roof?
Sometimes. If the existing shingles are a single layer in good condition and the decking underneath is sound, installers can run furring strips over the old roof and screw metal panels to those, skipping the tear-off and disposal cost. It isn't always allowed by local code or a manufacturer's warranty, and standing seam panels generally still need a full tear-off since they require a flat, solid surface underneath.
Does a metal roof lower my homeowners insurance?
Often, yes — many insurers offer a discount for metal roofing because of its resistance to hail, wind, and fire, though the discount typically applies only to part of your premium and varies by carrier and state. Ask your insurer for their specific metal-roof discount before you factor the payback into your decision.

Cost data compiled July 26, 2026.

Sources (5)

Ranges synthesize several public 2026 cost guides into a low–typical–high band rather than reproducing any single source's table. Flag for verification: This Old House's own top-line 'national average' ($57,661 for a 2,000 sq ft roof, ~$13–$45/sq ft) runs 2–3x above its own by-material breakdown table on the same page (steel/aluminum ~$16–$25/sq ft) and well above the HomeGuide/Angi/Fixr cluster (~$5–$16/sq ft installed, per-sq-ft averages of $11–$13 across all three) — treated as an outlier per the sourcing policy rather than anchored on. The published band centers on standing-seam steel/aluminum (the most common residential choice), with corrugated/exposed-fastener as the budget estimator option and copper/zinc as the premium option (roughly 2x standing seam, consistent across HomeGuide, This Old House, and Fixr). Metro-level breakdowns are coming as we verify local data.

Compare other locations

See all Chicago roofing costs on the Chicago roofing page.

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