How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Metal Roof by Square Foot?
You can expect to pay around $2 per square foot to paint your metal roof. Although this cost fluctuates, it comes down to how much paint is needed to cover the roof completely. So you should prepare to pay anywhere from $1.20 to $2.80 per square foot when requesting price quotes from local roof painters.
In certain instances, you may also be charged per square rather than per square foot. Per square simply means per 100 square feet. Some roofing materials, such as metal shingles, are sold per square. Expect to pay around $200 per square on average, with prices fluctuating between $120 to $280 per square.
Metal Roof Painting Cost Breakdown
Beyond square footage, roof painters will need to take into account the pitch of your roof, the amount of necessary prep work, and whether or not your roof or roof paint is under warranty.
Pitch of Roof
If you look down your neighborhood street, there’s a good chance that you’ll see a wide variety of roof pitches. These pitches can fall anywhere from a four-twelfths pitch to a nine-twelfths pitch. The first number refers to the “rise” of the roof from the middle of the soffit. The second number refers to the “run” of the roof, which is the distance between the edge of the roof and its middle.
If you have a roof with a pitch of six-twelfths and up, you should be prepared to pay an increased price. These roofs typically require special equipment to work on, so expect a price increase of around 5% to 20%, depending on the steepness of the pitch.
Prepping the Roof
Your roof will need a little TLC before it can get a fresh coat of paint. This prep work includes power washing away any grime, moss, and other debris that are on the roof. Power washing a roof will cost around $0.50 to $1 per square foot.
You’ll also likely need to reseal the roof before painting. Sealing is used to prevent any paint from damaging the roofing material. It also helps keep paint on the roof and protect it from the great outdoors. The cost of coating your roof in a sealant averages about $1,750.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Metal Roof by Type?
There are two main types of metal roof paint you should consider. The majority of homeowners will pick silicone-modified polyester (SMP) paint, but people living in sunny areas such as southern California or Florida may want to consider polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) paint.
Regardless of which type of paint you choose, you will need about 1 gallon of paint per 100 square feet of roof.
Silicone-Modified Polyester (SMP) Paint
This type of paint is by far the more popular option for residential metal roof painting thanks to its high durability against Mother Nature and anything she throws at your roof.
The downside is that it doesn’t have as many color options as PVDF paint, though. So while your metal roof paint may be able to weather a storm, it might not match your ideal color shade. On average, SMP paint costs around 25% less than PVDF paint.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Paint
PVDF paint may not be as durable as SMP paint, but it’s certainly more stylish. You can often get the more “premium” colors that you typically can’t find with SMP paint, including reds, greens, and blues rather than only grays, silvers, and browns.
PVDF also takes the top spot in the category of UV exposure. Over time, SMP paint is more likely to fade, whereas PVDF paint holds its own against the sun.
If you decide to use PVDF paint, expect to pay about 25% more than SMP paint. If you’re interested in one of the premium colors, you should expect to tack on another 10% to the total.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Metal Roof Yourself?
Anytime you get on your roof, you’re taking a risk that you really shouldn’t. Painting a metal roof is no exception, and that’s why this project is best left to a local metal roofer.
Not only will you avoid the risk of falling, but you can also be certain that the pros won’t miss a spot. If something goes awry, they’ll handle the work while you sit back and admire the new paint.
