A metal roof in the Lower Mainland costs about $13 to $22 per square foot installed for standing seam steel, $12 to $22 for metal shingles and $8 to $14 for ribbed exposed-fastener panels, before GST. On a typical 2,000 sq ft roof that's $24,000 to $40,000 for standing seam. Here's what's behind those numbers and why quotes vary so much.
What does a metal roof cost per square foot?
The ranges below overlap the prices published by Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley roofers in 2025 and 2026. Where companies disagreed, the range stayed wide.
| Metal roof type | Installed, per sq ft | 2,000 sq ft roof |
|---|---|---|
| Standing seam, steel, PVDF finish | $13 to $22 | $24,000 to $40,000 |
| Standing seam, aluminum | $18 to $28 | $36,000 to $56,000 |
| Metal shingles and interlocking panels | $12 to $22 | $24,000 to $44,000 |
| Exposed-fastener ribbed panels | $8 to $14 | $16,000 to $28,000 |
| Complex roofs, mechanically seamed low slopes | $25 to $40 or more | Quote required |
One BC metal shingle installer that publishes its own contract data reported a 2025 to 2026 median around $18.50 per sq ft for aluminum shingles, with the middle half of jobs between about $16.60 and $21.40, and a median whole-roof contract near $48,700 on roofs averaging about 2,800 sq ft. That's a useful reality check: premium aluminum shingles sit at the top of the metal shingle range.
Why is the range so wide?
Five things, roughly in order of impact:
- Panel type. Standing seam hides the fasteners and costs the most; exposed-fastener panels are the budget option. See the metal roofing page for the differences.
- Roof complexity. Standing seam on a simple gable is efficient. Every hip, valley, dormer and skylight adds cutting, flashing and time, and a cut-up roof can cost 50% more per square foot than a plain one.
- Metal and gauge. Aluminum costs more than steel and is worth it near the ocean. 24 gauge steel is the residential standard; 26 gauge is cheaper and more prone to oil-canning.
- Finish. PVDF (Kynar 500 type) paint systems carry long fade and chalk warranties and cost more than SMP (silicone-modified polyester), whose "40-year" warranty mostly covers peeling. Ask which is quoted.
- What's underneath. Tear-off ($1 to $3 per sq ft for shingles, $3 to $5 for cedar), plywood ($80 to $150 per sheet), a continuous self-adhered membrane on low slopes, and ventilation all add up. The cost guide lists them.
Standing seam, metal shingles or ribbed panels?
Standing seam is the premium choice: concealed clips, raised seams, no screws through the panel, 50 years or more. It suits simple to moderately complex roofs and anyone who wants the cleanest look. The standing seam page covers snap-lock versus mechanical seams and gauges.
Metal shingles (stamped steel or aluminum panels that interlock, often pressed to look like shakes or slate) cost about the same as standing seam but handle cut-up roofs better, because small panels wrap around hips and valleys without expensive custom flashing. They're the usual choice for replacing cedar on a complex roof.
Exposed-fastener ribbed panels are what you see on barns, shops and some budget homes: wide steel sheets screwed through the face with gasketed screws. Cheapest to buy and install, fast on big simple roofs, but the screws and rubber washers age and need checking. Fine for an outbuilding; a compromise on a house you plan to keep.
What about metal over existing shingles?
Installing metal over one layer of flat-lying shingles saves the tear-off and is allowed by industry guidance where the municipality and the panel manufacturer permit it, usually with an underlayment or furring. Many Lower Mainland roofers still recommend a tear-off, because the deck and flashing can't be checked otherwise. If you're quoted a layover, ask how they'll know the plywood is sound. See roofing over existing shingles.
How metal prices compare across the region
Vancouver and the North Shore run highest, with surcharges for steep sites and access. Surrey publishes prices about 5 to 10% below Vancouver, and no roofer publishes metal rates for Abbotsford, Chilliwack or Mission, where quotes generally come in at or a little below Surrey. The valley has its own metal panel suppliers, including Fraser Valley Metal Rolling in Abbotsford, which keeps material lead times short.
Is metal worth the premium?
If you'll own the house 15 years or more, usually yes: a standing seam roof outlasts two shingle roofs, sheds moss and snow, carries a Class A fire rating and takes solar panels without roof penetrations. If you may sell within a decade, a good architectural shingle roof costs $15,000 to $25,000 less today and buyers accept it without question. The metal versus shingles guide walks through the decision.
Getting a fair metal quote
Metal has fewer qualified installers than shingles, so quotes vary more and the details at hips, valleys and walls are where cheap jobs fail. Ask each roofer for the panel profile, metal, gauge and finish by name, the manufacturer's finish warranty document, how they handle valleys and wall flashing, whether snow guards are included over doors and walkways, and their workmanship warranty. Three quotes from companies that do metal every week, compared line by line, is the only way to see what a fair price looks like for your roof. The quote comparison guide has the checklist.
Common questions
What's the cheapest kind of metal roof?
Exposed-fastener ribbed panels, at about $8 to $14 per sq ft installed. They suit shops, barns and simple roofs; the screws and washers need checking over the years.
Why do metal quotes vary so much?
Panel type, gauge, finish (PVDF or SMP), the complexity of the roof, tear-off, underlayment and the installer's experience. A simple gable in snap-lock steel and a cut-up roof in mechanically seamed aluminum can be $15 per sq ft apart.