Shingles are a necessity for covering your roof, plus they’re a strong exterior design statement. On average, most homeowners pay between $15,000 and $30,000 to install new shingles, with low costs in the $5,000s and high costs pushing into the $40,000 and higher.
These costs are for asphalt shingles, the most economical shingle you can buy. Composite, wood, clay or metal shingles may cost several times more but can add a unique look to your home.
Average Cost to Shingle a Roof
Average Cost
$15,000
Highest Cost
$40,000
Lowest Cost
$5,500
*Costs per square foot
$4.50
Price of Roofing Shingles Per Square Foot
Asphalt Archatectural shingles cost around $1 to $2 per square foot.
The cost of roofing shingles is often expressed in terms of “squares.” A square is 100 square feet of shingles. A bundle of roofing shingles averages around 33.3 square feet. So, three bundles comprise one roofing square.
You’ll also need to add 10% to 15% to account for waste. Felt or synthetic underlayment is another cost, along with fasteners.
Roof Area
Cost of Shingles
750 square feet
$825-$1125
1,000 square feet
$1100 - $1500
1,500 square feet
$1650- $2250
1,750 square feet
$1925 - $2625
2,000 square feet
$2200 - $3,000
Prices are based on a cost of around $37-$50 per bundle of asphalt architectural shingles or about $110-$150 per square.
Shingle Roof Cost Per Material
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles, often called architectural shingles, are large shingles with a variational pattern made of multiple layers of material, asphalt, and granules. They typically have a 130 mph wind rating. Architectural Asphalt shingles cost around $110-$150 per square.
Composite Shingles
Composite shingles are composed of a variety of materials such as rubber or plastics, which can create the illusion of wood or slate. Some composite shingles are comparably priced with asphalt shingles. But you can expect to pay as much as $900 per square for quality composite shingles.
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles milled from softwoods such as pine, cedar or spruce lend a natural look to a home. Wood shingles cost more than asphalt shingles and less than clay shingles, at around$350 to $500 per square.
Clay Shingles
Clay shingles are popular in sunny, warm areas because they stand up well to heat and promote airflow. Clay shingles cost between $300 and $1,000 per square.
Metal Shingles
Metal shingles are durable, with lifespans of up to 75 years. They’re fireproof and cooler than other roofs since they reflect light. Expect to pay between $275 and $400 per square for a metal-shingled roof.
Roof Area
Cost of Shingles
Asphalt
$110-$150
Composite
$400-$900
Wood
$350 - $500
Clay
$300 - $1,000
Metal
$275 - $400
Solar
$2,200
Asphalt Shingles Cost
Architectural shingles cost around $1.10 to $1.50 per square foot for basic gray, brown, or black shingles. A few asphalt shingles can cost even slightly less. Usually, though, the cost of asphalt shingles is higher, with fluctuating oil prices sometimes playing into the cost.
Composite Shingles
Composite shingles that duplicate the look and texture of plain asphalt shingles are often priced within the range of asphalt shingles. But most buyers of composite shingles are looking for something other than the old look since asphalt cannot be textured or successfully colored.
Composite shingles are very design-flexible and can adapt to a wide range of looks. Among other factors, this accounts for the $400-$900 or more per square you may pay for premium composite shingles.
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles that cost from $350 to $500 per square come in the form of either true shingles or shakes. Shingles are uniformly flat and all have the same size. They lay flat and look much like asphalt or composite shingles. Wood shakes are irregular in size and thickness, for a more rustic look.
Clay Shingles
Clay shingles’ high cost of between $300 and $1,000 per square means that this type of roofing material is better for long-term installations. Owners who expect to be in their homes for more than just a few years may find this higher cost amortized over the long run, since clay roofing can last as long as 100 years.
Metal Shingles
Metal shingles differ from another, popular metal roofing product: standing seam metal roofing. Standing seam metal is installed in large sheets attached side-to-side. The seams, called legs, literally are standing higher than the flat horizontal roofing surface to prevent water infiltration.
Metal shingles, which cost around $400 per square, are more expensive than standing seam metal roofs. Because metal shingles are smaller than standing seam’s large panels, they look more like traditional shingles. A premium stamped metal shingle roof that mimics the look of wood can cost up to $1,100 to $1,200 per square, installation included.
Shingle Roof Installation Cost
The total cost of installing a shingle roof consists of both material and labor costs. Labor is a significant factor and can comprise as much as 60% or more of the total project cost. So, for a job that ends up costing $12,000, at least $7,600 of that goes toward labor costs.
With labor, you may need to pay to tear off and dispose of the old shingles and underlayment. In some cases, it may be possible to leave the existing shingles in place and to install the new shingles on top.
The bottom line is a new roof is expensive. We offer free no obligation inspections to see if insurance should cover the cost of your roof repair or roof replacement. Contact us today for a free consultation.