Metal shingles cost $7 to $14 per square foot installed for the most common steel and aluminum systems, with stone-coated steel landing in the same broad range and premium copper running higher. That works out to roughly $700 to $1,400 per roofing square (100 square feet) for standard metal shingle systems, materials and labor combined — about two to three times the installed cost of asphalt shingles, for a roof that typically lasts two to three times as long. If you want to see how that compares to an asphalt bundle count for your own roof, run your measurements through our shingle bundle calculator first, then read the metal numbers below as the upgrade comparison.
The single biggest misunderstanding about metal shingles is the unit they are sold in. Asphalt shingles come in bundles — three bundles cover one square. Metal shingles do not. They are sold as individual panels or interlocking shingle units, priced by the square or by the panel, and the crew orders them by roof area plus a cutting allowance. Anyone quoting you metal shingles “per bundle” is either confused or converting an asphalt number, and that is the first sign to get a second bid.
What Metal Shingles Actually Are
A metal shingle is a small, rigid roofing unit stamped or formed from sheet metal and installed in overlapping courses, just like an asphalt shingle. From the street, most metal shingles are designed to look like something else: a standing-seam panel, a wood shake, a slate tile, or a classic asphalt shingle profile. Up close, the giveaway is the material itself — a hard, coated metal surface with crisp formed edges and concealed fasteners on the better systems.
Four metals dominate the market. Galvanized or Galvalume steel is the workhorse: strong, affordable, and the most common metal shingle material in the Midwest. Aluminum is lighter, naturally rust-proof, and the right call near salt air, though it dents more easily under a heavy hailstone than steel. Stone-coated steel is a steel shingle pressed with a stone-granule coating, so it reads as a thick architectural shingle while keeping the metal core. Copper is the premium outlier — beautiful, extremely long-lived, and priced accordingly, so it usually appears as an accent roof rather than a whole-house system in Lake County.
Metal Shingle Cost Per Square, by Material
The ranges below are typical installed prices per roofing square (100 square feet), covering materials, labor, underlayment, and trim on a straightforward roof. Treat them as planning ranges, not quotes — pitch, tear-off layers, and flashing work move the final number.
| Metal shingle type | Installed price per square | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Steel shingles | $700–$1,200 | 40–70 years |
| Aluminum shingles | $900–$1,400 | 50 years or more |
| Stone-coated steel shingles | $800–$1,300 | 40–70 years |
| Copper shingles | $1,500–$2,500 | 70 years or more |
| Asphalt shingles (for comparison) | $350–$550 | 15–30 years |
The honest way to read that table is cost per year of service, not cost on day one. A steel shingle roof at $1,000 per square that lasts 50 years costs about $20 per square per year. An asphalt roof at $450 per square replaced every 20 years costs about $22.50 per square per year — plus the cost and disruption of a second tear-off. Metal wins the long math on most homes that plan to stay put, and it loses the short math if you plan to sell within a few years, since you will not recoup the premium that fast.
Panels Versus Bundles: How Metal Is Ordered
An asphalt bundle is a wrapped pack of shingles covering 33.3 square feet, and three bundles make a square. Metal has no equivalent pack. A metal shingle order is calculated from the roof area in squares, plus a waste allowance of 5 to 10 percent for straight roofs and 10 to 15 percent for cut-up roofs with dormers, valleys, and hips. The supplier then ships panels or shingle units, ridge caps, valley flashing, and trim in matching profiles and colors.
That difference matters when you compare bids. An asphalt bid lists bundles; a metal bid lists squares, panels, or units. If a metal quote shows a bundle count, ask the contractor to restate it in squares so you can compare it against other metal bids and against our shingle bundle calculator output for the asphalt alternative. Our guide to how many square feet are in a bundle of shingles explains the asphalt side of that conversion in full.
Metal Shingles Versus Asphalt Bundles, Side by Side
Beyond price and lifespan, the two systems behave differently on an Illinois roof. Metal sheds snow and ice far faster than granular asphalt, which is a real advantage in a Waukegan or Lake County winter: less snow load sitting on the roof, and fewer ice dams forming at the eaves when meltwater can run off instead of refreezing under a shingle edge. That same slick surface means a metal roof needs proper snow guards above walkways and entrances, or sliding snow becomes its own hazard.
Metal is also lighter than most people expect — a steel shingle roof typically weighs 100 to 150 pounds per square, against 200 to 400 pounds for asphalt. On older homes, that lighter load is a genuine structural plus. What metal is not is silent: rain on a metal roof is louder than rain on asphalt unless the system is installed over solid decking with proper underlayment, which is the standard residential detail and tames the noise to near-asphalt levels. And while asphalt shingles are a commodity any crew can install, metal shingle systems are profile-specific — the crew must know that manufacturer’s locking and flashing details, so installer experience matters more than it does with asphalt.
Illinois Notes: Snow, Ice, and Hail
Three Lake County realities should shape a metal shingle decision. First, snow and ice: metal’s slick surface is your friend for shedding, but only with snow guards and ice-and-water shield at the eaves, valleys, and penetrations — the same shield asphalt roofs need, just more important here because meltwater moves faster. Second, hail: steel holds up well against typical Midwest hail, and most steel systems carry a Class 4 impact rating, the highest available. Aluminum dents more readily, so if your neighborhood takes regular hail, steel or stone-coated steel is the safer metal pick. Third, temperature swings: metal expands and contracts, so fasteners and clips must be installed to allow movement. A crew that nails metal shingles tight like asphalt shingles will create oil-canning and fastener problems within a few seasons.
Compared with a standard asphalt system, metal shingles make the most sense when you plan to stay in the home at least 15 years, when your roof has a moderate to steep pitch that sheds snow well, or when you want the longest interval between replacements. They make less sense for a quick pre-sale reroof, where asphalt’s lower upfront cost is the rational pick. Our comparison of 3-tab shingles covers the budget end of the asphalt side if that is where your numbers land.
How to Read a Metal Shingle Bid
A fair metal bid names the metal and gauge (26-gauge steel is the common residential standard, 24-gauge is heavier), the profile and manufacturer, the underlayment type, the snow-guard plan, and whether tear-off and disposal are included. Red flags: a bundle count instead of squares, no gauge listed, no mention of snow guards on a Lake County home, or a price at asphalt levels — that usually means a thinner panel, an exposed-fastener system being sold as a shingle system, or corners on flashing. Get the profile, gauge, and warranty in writing, and compare at least two metal bids against one asphalt bid before you sign.
Get an Exact Price for Your Home
Every roof is different — size, pitch, material, and condition all move the number. Call Zuniga Roofing Inc. for a free inspection and an exact quote with no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do metal shingles cost?
Metal shingles typically cost $7 to $14 per square foot installed for steel and aluminum systems, or roughly $700 to $1,400 per roofing square (100 square feet), materials and labor included. Stone-coated steel lands in the same broad range, while copper runs $1,500 to $2,500 per square. That is about two to three times the installed cost of asphalt shingles, for a roof that typically lasts two to three times as long.
Are metal shingles sold by the bundle?
No. Metal shingles are not sold by the bundle the way asphalt shingles are. Asphalt comes in bundles covering 33.3 square feet, with three bundles per square. Metal shingles are sold as individual panels or interlocking units, priced by the square or by the panel, and ordered by roof area plus a waste allowance of 5 to 15 percent depending on roof complexity. A metal quote showing a bundle count should be restated in squares before you compare it.
How long do metal shingles last?
Steel and stone-coated steel shingles typically last 40 to 70 years, aluminum shingles last 50 years or more, and copper shingles last 70 years or more. Asphalt shingles, by comparison, typically last 15 to 30 years. Measured as cost per year of service, a metal roof often matches or beats asphalt over its full life, even though the upfront price is two to three times higher.
Are metal shingles good for Illinois snow and ice?
Yes, with the right details. Metal sheds snow and ice faster than asphalt, which reduces snow load and ice dam risk on Lake County roofs. The system still needs ice-and-water shield at the eaves, valleys, and penetrations, plus snow guards above walkways and entrances so sliding snow does not become a hazard. Steel systems also commonly carry a Class 4 impact rating for hail, the highest available.
Are metal shingles better than asphalt shingles?
Metal shingles are better on lifespan, weight, snow shedding, and long-term cost per year, and asphalt shingles are better on upfront price, installer availability, and short-term value if you plan to sell soon. Metal makes the most sense if you plan to stay in the home at least 15 years; asphalt makes more sense for a quick pre-sale reroof. Compare a metal bid in squares against an asphalt bid in bundles before deciding.
Zayn Robert is a content specialist focused on roofing, construction, and home improvement topics. He creates easy-to-understand guides that help homeowners learn about roof measurements, materials, maintenance, and repair decisions. His work combines detailed research with practical insights from roofing professionals at Zuniga Roofing Inc.