Aluminum Shingle Pricing

The Costs

• Minimum: $6 per square foot
• Maximum: $15 per square foot

Just like with any roofing material, the majority of the costs associated with aluminum shingles comes from the shingles themselves. Aluminum shingles typically run between $2 and $6 per square foot, so the overall cost of the project is going to vary greatly, depending on the square footage of a homeowner's roof.

The other cost to consider comes from the installation. Once again, the cost of installation is going to vary from one contractor to the next. However, due to the ease of installing aluminum shingles, most contractors only charge between $4 and $9 per square foot. Other contractors will charge by the hour. It is important to contact a wide range of contractors to find out who has the best prices and most experience installing aluminum shingles.

Materials

There are not many materials needed to install aluminum shingles. Since most shingles lock together, the material costs are rather low after factoring in the cost of the shingles themselves. The contractors that homeowners hire should provide most, if not all, of the tools and materials needed. Homeowners might be able to save a bit of money by buying the materials themselves.

• Aluminum Shingles
• Level
• Roofing Nails
• Ladder
• Hammer
• Safety Rope
• Felt Roofing (for insulation)
• Roofing Cement

Advantages and Disadvantages of Aluminum Shingles

There are advantages and disadvantages of an aluminum shingle roof, just like with any other roofing system. The homeowners' job is to determine if the pros outweigh the cons and if aluminum shingles are the right fit for their properties.

Pros

First of all, aluminum shingles are simply beautiful and add a lot of personality to a house. Another great thing is the fact that they are lightweight but still strong. They are strong enough to walk on and are not damaged by inclement weather such as hail. Also, unlike wood and clay shingles, aluminum shingles do not dry, crack or curl. Since aluminum is extremely tolerant to weather and does not rust, this type of shingles stands up well to all weather conditions.

Aluminum shingles are considered energy efficient because they reflect sun away from the house on which they are installed. This can help the homeowner save money during the summer months. Over the long term, aluminum shingles will even pay for themselves thanks to the money that the homeowners will be saving on their power bills.

If felt roofing material is installed under the aluminum shingles, the sound of rain hitting the shingles is muffled. It should also be noted that the felt will help the house hold in heat during the winter months. Aluminum shingles can also be purchased in a wide variety of colors. The coloring on most aluminum shingles is determined to last about 40 years. Last but not least, aluminum shingles add a lot of value to a house.

Cons

Compared to asphalt roofing, aluminum shingles are slightly more expensive. Also, aluminum shingles do not last as long as other forms of metal roofing. On average, aluminum shingles are expected to last around 12 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the aluminum. Although the coloring on aluminum shingles is estimated to last around 40 years, most shingles will wear out or break down before that 40-year lifespan is ever met.

Since aluminum shingles have a smooth, slick surface, they can be extremely slippery when wet. This can make it dangerous for homeowners to work on their roofs after it rains. Also, despite the fact that aluminum shingles do not rust, they can start to dull overtime. This takes away from the natural beauty of the aluminum, which is often one of the biggest draws to installing an aluminum roof.

Caring for an Aluminum Roof

Just like any other type of roof, aluminum shingles require a bit of maintenance from time to time. How often you have to care for the aluminum roof depends on the quality of the aluminum itself. There are some sealants that are approved for aluminum roofing. Just remember that these sealants make the roof slick for a while. This helps keep water and other material from building up on the roof, but it also makes it extremely dangerous to walk on. If done correctly, these sealants can protect the aluminum from corrosion and weathering.

Aluminum roofing also needs to be inspected for loose shingles and screws that are coming out. With a shingle roof, once one shingle becomes loose, it is easy for the others to work themselves loose. Sure, this makes shingle roofs easier to install, but it also means that they can be easily undone. Every few months, check to make sure that the shingles are still firmly in place.

Despite the fact that aluminum roofs can be walked on, homeowners should do their best to reduce foot traffic. The less that the aluminum shingles are walked on, the better. Walking on aluminum shingles is not only dangerous but can really reduce the life of the shingles. Most manufacturers give warnings about the wear of too much foot traffic on aluminum roofing.

Last but not least, trees should be kept from rubbing against the aluminum shingles. Although aluminum shingles are strong, the abrasion caused by tree limbs rubbing against them can damage the finish; this is true for any metal roof. Sometimes, it can puncture a hole in the roof, which could cause leakage. If branches of surrounding trees are getting too close to the roof, cut back those branches as soon as possible.

Last updated on May 5, 2016