How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost in Detroit, MI?

A metal roof in Detroit costs an average of $12,141, and most projects total between $4,554 and $30,000. The square footage of roof you need to install and the type of metal you choose will affect your total the most, but the roof style and thickness also play a role. Given the extreme winters and hot summers in the city, many homeowners opt to add insulation under their metal roofs for an additional $1,000 to $1,500, on average.

Metal Roof Cost Factors

Metal roof costs in Detroit can sit as low as $1,100 and can reach as high as $21,625. The wide cost range is a result of a few key factors that influence your total.

Home Size

Metal roofing costs an average of $11 per square foot of roof you need to install, so bigger projects will always cost more. A 1,235 square foot home in Detroit will need about 1,500 square feet of roofing, accounting for slopes and overhang. 

Covering the average roof in the city with metal roofing would cost an average of $16,500. Many residents pay less because they use metal as an accent on smaller sections of the roof to boost curb appeal.

Type of Metal

Even when you choose a metal roof for your home, you have several options for the specific material. Coated steel is the most common metal roof material in Detroit, and it costs an average of $11 per square foot to install.

Tin and aluminum roofs can cost half what you’d pay for coated steel, making them more affordable options up front. However, they won’t last as long in Detroit’s climate, as they expand and contract more readily with changes in temperature from the frigid winters to the moderately hot summers. They can also rust over time with exposure to moisture, and since Detroit sees 1.5 times the national average amount of snowfall, they have a below-average lifespan.

Copper is the most expensive material at up to $30 per square foot, but it lasts the longest and will resist the local climate well.

Roof Style

You’ll also have some options for the style of metal roof you install. Standing seam metal roofs are the most popular option, so most metal roofers work with this style, and they stand up the best to the above-average snowfall in Detroit.

They consist of large panels with few seams, limiting the risk of roof leaks compared to metal shingles. However, standing seam metal roofs are the most expensive. Corrugated metal is the most affordable, but it doesn’t offer great curb appeal, so most homeowners don’t use the style on their main structure.

Metal Gauge

Metal roofing is available in a few different thicknesses, called gauges. Metal roofs for homes are usually 26-gauge or 24-gauge, but some homeowners upgrade to an even thicker 22-gauge.

Despite increasing material costs, a 24- or 22-gauge metal roof is your best option in Detroit. Thicker metal—indicated by lower gauges—will resist expansion and contraction better, which will increase your roof’s lifespan in an area like Detroit, which sees extreme temperature swings through the seasons.

The city also sees some thunderstorm activity that can bring strong winds and blown debris, and thicker roofing is less likely to dent and detract from your home’s curb appeal.

Insulation

Metal roofs help boost your home’s energy efficiency in the summer because they reflect sunlight well and reduce solar heat gain. However, they don’t add as much insulation as asphalt shingles and other roofing materials, so many residents in Detroit add insulation under their metal roofing.

This adds between $1,000 and $1,500 to your total, depending on roof size, but it will help reduce heating costs in the city's cold winters. Insulation also reduces interior noise during rainfall.

Roofing Pro Costs

Hiring a roofer in Detroit will cost an average of $6,075, which usually includes the removal of your old roof in addition to installation of the new metal roof. The cost of living in Detroit is nearly 3% lower than the national average, which helps bring down labor costs a bit.

The roofer you hire will need to pull a permit for roof replacement, and while the pro will handle filing and inspection scheduling, you’ll have to pay the permit fee. The City of Detroit charges a flat rate of $150 for a general building permit plus $20 per $1,000 worth of work after the first $2,000. Given the average cost of a metal roof in Detroit, your permit will cost an average of $330.

Does a Metal Roof Increase Home Value?

A metal roof will increase your home value, both because it improves curb appeal and because it will give buyers confidence that they won’t need to carry out roof repairs shortly after closing. You should see a value increase of at least $6,000 from a metal roof in Detroit.

However, many residents see even larger returns on investment. This is because metal roofing is desirable in the area due to the above-average snowfall and the high risk of roof leaks, which metal roofs are less prone to than asphalt shingles. Metal roofs also last twice as long and provide better value, so buyers are often willing to pay more for a home fitted with metal roofing.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.