Metal roofing has gotten a lot more popular in Washington over the last few years. Part of it is the longevity (50 years isn't unusual), part of it is the low maintenance, and part of it is that people are just tired of replacing asphalt shingles every 25 years. But the first question everyone asks is the same one: how much?
Here's what metal roofing actually costs in Washington state right now, broken down by type so you can compare apples to apples.
## Standing seam: $12 to $18 per square foot installed
Standing seam is the premium option. Vertical panels with raised seams that lock together, no exposed fasteners, clean modern lines. It's what most people picture when they think "metal roof." The panels expand and contract with temperature changes without loosening because the clips allow movement. That's a real advantage over exposed-fastener systems where screws can back out over time.
Standing seam costs more because the material is pricier and the install takes more skill. A crew that does standing seam well is slower and more precise than one banging on corrugated panels. You're paying for that precision, and it shows in the finished product.
## Metal shingle and shake: $9 to $14 per square foot installed
Metal shingles are stamped to look like traditional shingles or cedar shake. From the street, most people can't tell the difference. They're lighter than standing seam, easier to install on complex rooflines with valleys and hips, and they give you the longevity of metal without the industrial look.
This is a solid middle ground for homeowners who want metal's durability but live in a neighborhood where standing seam would look out of place. A lot of the craftsman-style homes in Kirkland and Bellevue go this route.
## Corrugated and R-panel: $6 to $9 per square foot installed
Corrugated metal and R-panel (also called exposed-fastener panels) are the workhorse of agricultural and shop buildings. You see them on barns, detached garages, pole buildings, and occasionally on residential homes going for a farmhouse look. The panels are cheaper, the install is faster, and the screws go right through the face of the panel into the purlins.
The tradeoff is the exposed fasteners. Each screw has a rubber washer that seals it against the panel. Over 15 to 20 years, those washers dry out, crack, and start leaking. You'll need to re-screw the roof at some point, which adds a maintenance step that standing seam doesn't have. Still, for a shop or outbuilding, it's hard to beat the price.
## What's included in the price
A good quote for metal roofing should break out: materials (panels, trim, ridge cap, flashing), labor, tear-off of the old roof if you're replacing, underlayment, drip edge, and any structural work needed. Some homes need additional framing to handle the weight, though metal is actually lighter than most people expect. It's lighter than asphalt shingles in most cases.
## What moves the number
Roof complexity is the biggest one. A simple gable with two planes is fast. A hip roof with dormers, skylights, and multiple valleys takes twice the labor and generates more material waste. Pitch matters too. Anything over 8:12 requires extra safety rigging and slows the crew down.
Panel profile makes a difference. Standing seam costs more than exposed fastener. Gauge matters: 24-gauge steel is thicker and more durable (and more expensive) than 26-gauge. Color and finish are a factor too. Kynar/PVDF finishes hold their color for 30-plus years and cost more than standard acrylic paint finishes that start fading in 10 to 15.
Access is another one people forget. If the only way to get materials to your roof is hand-carrying panels up a ladder because there's no crane access, that adds labor hours.
## A real example
Here's a project we can use as a reference. An 1,800-square-foot footprint home in Bellevue, medium 6:12 pitch, standing seam metal at $14 per square foot. Total comes in around $25,200. That same house with architectural shingles would run about $16,000. So the metal premium on this house is roughly $9,000.
Is that worth it? Depends on your timeline. The shingle roof lasts 25 to 30 years. The metal roof lasts 50. If you plan to stay in the house for 20-plus years, the metal pays for itself because you skip an entire roof replacement cycle. You can dig into a full comparison in our metal vs shingles breakdown.
## When the premium makes sense
You plan to stay long-term (20 years or more). You don't want to think about your roof again. You want the 50-year warranty. You like the look. You're in an area with high wind exposure (metal handles wind better than shingles on exposed hilltop lots). You're tired of moss. Metal doesn't grow moss the way asphalt does, which is a real perk in the PNW.
## When it doesn't
You're selling the house in the next five years. Buyers appreciate a metal roof, but you won't recoup the full premium at resale. Your budget is tight and a quality shingle roof would serve the house well for the next 25 years. Your HOA restricts metal roofing (some neighborhoods in Sammamish and parts of Issaquah have restrictions on panel profiles or colors). In any of those cases, architectural shingles are the smarter spend.
## Washington-specific notes
Unlike the Midwest, we don't get regular hail here, so there's no insurance discount for impact-resistant metal panels. That removes one of the financial incentives that makes metal a no-brainer in places like Colorado or Texas.
Wind resistance does matter, though. Homes on ridgetops in the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island, or exposed hilltop lots around Enumclaw take serious wind. Standing seam with concealed clips handles sustained wind better than shingles or exposed-fastener metal. If you're in a high-wind zone, the upgrade to standing seam is worth the money.
For a more complete look at what every roofing material costs in the area, check our Seattle roof replacement cost guide and our rundown of the best roofing materials for the PNW.
## Get real numbers for your roof
Online calculators give you ranges. If you want an actual number for your house, use our roof cost estimator or request a quote. We'll measure the roof, talk through your options, and give you a written price you can compare.
