Metal roof cost is the first question we hear from Pittsburgh homeowners who are tired of replacing shingles every twenty years. The honest answer is that there is no single number. Two houses on the same street in Ross Township can come in far apart because panel type, gauge, roof shape and what is under the old roof all move the price. This guide explains what actually drives the cost of metal roofing in Pittsburgh, how metal compares with asphalt shingles over the life of the roof, and how we price a job so you can compare estimates with confidence.
We are Malick Brothers Exteriors, a family owned roofing company founded in 2022 by Ryan Malick, with our shop at 500 Perry Highway in West View. We have installed standing seam metal roofs across the North Hills and the city since early 2023, and we install asphalt shingle roofs every week as an AtlasPro+ Platinum Select contractor. We see both systems side by side on real jobs.
Why we do not publish a one size fits all metal roof cost
Many pages online quote a flat cost for every 100 square feet of metal roofing. We do not, because the number is almost never right for your house. A low slope ranch in McCandless with two planes and no penetrations and a steep Victorian in Bellevue with four dormers, two chimneys and a dozen valleys use the same panel, but the second roof needs far more trim, flashing, custom bending and labor hours. A flat figure hides all of that.
What we do instead is measure the roof, inspect the decking and the existing layers, talk through panel options, and give you a free written estimate that lists every line item. That way you know exactly what you are paying for and can compare it to any other bid on equal terms.
What drives metal roof cost in Pittsburgh
These are the factors that change the number on your estimate, roughly in order of how much they matter.
Panel type: standing seam versus exposed fastener
Standing seam panels lock together at raised seams and are fastened to the deck with hidden clips, so no screw heads are exposed to weather. Exposed fastener panels (often called ag panel, R panel or corrugated) are screwed straight through the face of the metal with rubber washered screws. Standing seam costs more because the panels are often formed to length for your roof, the seams take more skill to install, and the clip system is more involved. Exposed fastener is less expensive up front, but those washers age and the screw holes are the first place a metal roof leaks, usually 10 to 15 years in. On a house we almost always recommend standing seam. On a detached garage, a barn or a porch roof, exposed fastener can be a reasonable choice.
Metal, gauge and finish
Most residential metal roofs in our area are painted steel. Gauge is the thickness of the steel, and a lower number means thicker metal: 24 gauge is heavier and more rigid than 26 gauge, and 29 gauge is the thin stock used on pole barns. Thicker panels cost more but resist oil canning (the wavy look you sometimes see on cheap metal roofs) and hold up better under Pittsburgh ice and wind. The paint system matters as well. A Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 PVDF finish costs more than a polyester paint but keeps its color for decades, which is why premium standing seam products carry long finish warranties. Aluminum, copper and zinc are options for certain homes and all cost more than steel.
Roof size and pitch
More roof area means more panels, more underlayment and more labor. Pitch matters too: a steep roof is slower and needs more fall protection and staging, and a very low slope roof may need a mechanically seamed panel instead of a snap lock panel to stay watertight.
Roof complexity
This is the factor that surprises people most. Every valley, hip, dormer, chimney, skylight and pipe boot on a metal roof needs custom formed flashing and careful panel cuts. Many of the older homes we work on in Bellevue, Ben Avon, Mt. Washington and the city neighborhoods have exactly this kind of roof. A simple gable roof on a newer Cranberry Township colonial might take a fraction of the trim work of a 1920s brick home with the same square footage.
Tear off and decking
Pennsylvania allows a maximum of two layers of roofing. If your house already has two layers of shingles, they come off. Even with one layer, we tear off before installing metal in nearly every case, because the deck needs to be inspected and because metal installed over old shingles can telegraph the shingle lines through the panels. Tear off adds labor and disposal cost. If we find rotted plywood or old plank decking with wide gaps once the shingles are off, that sheathing has to be replaced before panels go on, and we price that per sheet so you only pay for what is actually needed.
Underlayment and ice barrier
A metal roof is only as good as what is under it. We use a high temperature synthetic underlayment rated for metal, plus ice and water shield at the eaves, in the valleys and around penetrations. Pittsburgh winters produce ice dams on many homes, so we often extend ice barrier farther up the roof than code minimum. Better underlayment costs more than felt but it is a small part of the total and protects the whole investment.
Trim, flashing and accessories
Ridge cap, eave drip, gable trim, sidewall and endwall flashing, chimney flashing, pipe boots, snow guards and closure strips are all separate line items on a metal roof, and on a complex roof they can be a large share of the material cost. Snow guards deserve a mention: metal sheds snow in sheets, so we recommend snow retention above doors, walkways and lower roofs on most Pittsburgh homes.
Labor and who is on your roof
Metal roofing takes more hours than shingles and a crew that knows how to hem panels, form flashing and handle long panels without scratching the finish. That skill shows up in the labor line. It also shows up in whether your roof leaks at the chimney in year three. Our own crews install our metal roofs with a project manager on site.
Gutters, soffit and fascia
A new metal roof often goes on with new seamless gutters, because the old gutters are usually at the end of their life and the eave trim and gutter need to work together. If the fascia is rotted or the soffit needs replacing, that is priced separately.
Metal roof versus asphalt shingles: the cost comparison that matters
The question behind most metal roof searches is really "is metal worth it compared to shingles?" Here is how the two compare on the things that affect what you spend over the time you own the house.
| Factor | Standing seam metal | Architectural asphalt shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Higher. Material and labor are both more. | Lower. The most affordable full roof replacement. |
| Expected service life | 40 to 60 or more years with a PVDF finish. | Roughly 20 to 30 years in Pittsburgh conditions. |
| Replacements over 50 years | Usually none. | Typically two. |
| Maintenance | Occasional inspection of flashing and sealant. | Periodic repairs for lifted, cracked or missing shingles. |
| Wind and ice | Interlocking panels and hidden clips resist uplift; sheds snow. | Good when installed correctly; shingles can lift in high wind. |
| Energy | Reflective finishes reduce summer attic heat. | Dark shingles absorb heat; ventilation does most of the work. |
| Resale | A selling point, especially to buyers who never want to reroof. | Neutral if newer, a negative if near end of life. |
| Warranty | Long finish and panel warranties from the manufacturer. | Atlas 50 year warranty on complete Atlas systems we install. |
The honest summary: asphalt shingles win on the up front check. Metal wins on cost per year of service, because one metal roof usually outlasts two shingle roofs, and each of those shingle replacements includes its own tear off, disposal and labor at future prices. If you plan to be in the house for a long time, or you want the roof to be the last one you buy, metal is the stronger value. If you plan to sell within a few years, or the budget is fixed, a quality asphalt shingle roof with a full system warranty is still a smart choice, and we install them every week. You can compare every system we install on our roofing materials page.
How Pittsburgh weather changes the math
Our climate is hard on roofs. Freeze and thaw cycles through the winter, heavy wet snow, spring wind storms and humid summers all shorten the life of asphalt. Metal does not absorb water, so it does not crack when it freezes, and the slick surface sheds snow before it can pile up and form ice dams at the eaves.
What is included in a Malick Brothers metal roof estimate
Every written estimate we give for a metal roof includes:
- Roof measurements and a diagram of the planes, with the panel type, gauge, color and finish spelled out.
- Tear off and disposal of the existing roofing, with the number of layers noted.
- Decking inspection and a stated per sheet price for any replacement plywood, so there is no open ended allowance.
- High temperature synthetic underlayment and ice and water shield, with the coverage area listed.
- All trim, flashing, pipe boots, ridge, closures and snow retention.
- Gutters, downspouts, soffit and fascia if they are part of the project.
- Our PA Home Improvement Contractor registration, PA174918, which you can confirm on the Pennsylvania Attorney General contractor search.
The estimate is free and there is no pressure. We would rather you compare it line by line against another bid than sign on the spot.
Financing a metal roof
Because metal costs more up front, many of our customers spread the cost over time. We offer roof financing with monthly payment options, and we can walk you through the plans when we present the estimate. For homeowners who plan to stay put, a financed metal roof that never needs replacing can be easier on the budget over 30 years than paying for two shingle roofs outright.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to put on a metal roof or shingles?
Shingles are cheaper on the day of installation. Metal is usually cheaper per year of service because a standing seam roof typically lasts two to three times as long as an architectural shingle roof and skips the second and third tear off. Which one is cheaper for you depends on how long you plan to own the home.
What is the biggest problem with metal roofs?
Poor installation. Most metal roof failures we see are leaks at chimneys, sidewalls and screw holes on exposed fastener panels, all of which trace back to flashing and fastening work. Both are avoided with a heavier gauge standing seam system and a crew experienced with metal.
Does a metal roof increase home value in Pittsburgh?
Buyers notice a roof they will never have to replace, and home inspectors flag an aging shingle roof as a negotiating point. A metal roof removes that objection. The exact effect on sale price varies by neighborhood and buyer, so we do not quote a resale percentage, but it is consistently a plus in listings across the North Hills.
Can you install a metal roof over existing shingles?
It is possible on some roofs, but we recommend tearing off in nearly every case. Tear off lets us inspect and repair the decking, install proper underlayment and ice barrier, and avoid shingle lines showing through the panels. Pennsylvania also limits a roof to two layers, so a house with two layers of shingles must be torn off regardless.
Are metal roofs loud when it rains?
Not on a house. A metal roof installed over solid decking with underlayment, an attic and insulation sounds about the same as shingles from inside. The drumming people remember comes from open framed barns and sheds where panels are screwed straight to purlins with nothing beneath them.
Get a written metal roof estimate
If you are weighing metal against shingles for a home in Pittsburgh or the North Hills, we will measure the roof, explain the panel options, and give you a free written estimate for either system so you can compare them on paper. Contact Malick Brothers Exteriors or call (412) 616-0191 to schedule a visit.
