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How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Metal Roof? (2024)
In this cost guide, we’ll cover:
- What factors go into the cost of roof painting?
- How much you can expect to pay for roof painting?
- Can I paint my roof myself?
- What’s covered under a roof paint warranty?
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Painting your roof is a cost-friendly alternative to getting a metal new roof. On average, the total cost of a roof painting job is between $1,000 and $3,000, far less than the average metal roof replacement cost of $10,000 or more.
Roof painting is also more eco-friendly than replacing your roof altogether. Reflective roof paint can make your home more energy efficient, and a roof coating can help seal cracks and leaks, extending the lifespan of your roof.
And of course, painting your roof eliminates the waste created when removing and disposing of your old roof.
Ready to start your roofing project? Select one of our top providers below to get connected with a roofing professional and get a free quote.
Metal Roof Painting Cost Factors
The total cost of painting your roof will include labor, cleaning, paint and other material costs. Here’s what you’ll need to consider:
Labor Costs
As with other roofing projects, labor will be one of the largest expenses when painting your roof.
In general, the hourly rates of roofers are between $40 and $90. The total cost of getting your roof painted by a professional will be around $1 to $3 per square foot.
Roof Cleaning Prices
Part of the necessary prep work before painting your roof is power washing and cleaning the area you want to paint. The national average cost of hiring a professional power washer to clean your roof is between $300 and $600.
Roofing experts also recommend cleaning your painted roof with a mild detergent twice a year to keep the paint looking like new.
Sealant Prices
Roof sealant helps protect your roof from leaks and damage, extending the life of your roof. When painting your roof, you must find a primer and sealer that is compatible with both your roofing material and roof paint.
The cost to have a professional seal or coat your roof can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.
Roof Paint Prices
Depending on which paint products you choose, the cost of roof paint will be between $0.25 and $0.35 per square foot.
If you’re DIYing your roof painting project, the size of the roof will determine how much paint you need to buy.
Once you know your roof’s square footage, you can calculate how much paint you need based on the instructions on the packaging of your paint.
A water-based acrylic latex paint specially made for roofs is ideal for metal roofs and even asphalt shingles. Oil-based paints made for roofs will also work. Just make sure to choose a paint that is compatible with the roof surface.
Cost of Other Supplies
If you’re painting your roof yourself, you’ll need to consider the cost of renting or buying additional supplies necessary to complete the project.
Professionals will use a power washer to clean your roof before painting, and will use a paint spray gun and pump to get the best paint application. Therefore, to achieve a professionally-painted look, you’ll need to rent this equipment.
That being said, it’s possible to clean your roof using mild detergent and a garden hose, and paint your roof by hand. However, this will take much longer to complete.
Either way, you’ll need an extension ladder and safety equipment like a harness to complete the job safely.
How Often Should You Paint a Metal Roof?
Over time, exposure to heat, cold and different weather conditions can cause the paint on your roof to fade and wear.
In general, you should repaint your metal roof about once every 10 years. However, some high-quality paints can last 30 years or more without needing repainting.
Do your research about the brand and type of paint you’re using so that you know how frequently your roof will need a new coat of paint.
Check out this video to learn more about the process of repainting a metal roof.
Professional Painting Contractor vs DIY Roof Painting
Although it’s possible to paint your roof yourself, professional painters have the best tools and equipment to complete the job.
For instance, painting a metal roof is best done with a paint sprayer instead of a paintbrush. If you choose to complete the painting project yourself, you’ll have to either rent a sprayer or paint by hand, which will take much longer.
Hiring a professional painting contractor is also safer than doing the job yourself. If you have a multi-story home, you shouldn’t attempt to paint your own roof unless you have prior roofing experience.
Professional painters can also find and complete any necessary roof repairs before they begin painting. If you know that your roof needs some repairs, it’s unwise to just try to paint over them.
A roof painter can complete repairs and painting in one visit, saving you time and money over paying for separate contractors.
Warranty Options on Roof Painting Services
Most roofing companies will offer a paint warranty for their roof painting services. A warranty is a great way for a company to guarantee a good job, but you should always read the fine print.
Most paint warranties will cover paint fading, chalking, peeling or cracking over time. A metal roof paint warranty typically does not cover fire or wind damage, faulty installation or damage from solar panels.
When you review your metal roof paint warranty, make sure to look out for how long the warranty lasts and the degree of damage or degradation that will activate the warranty (for instance, how much the paint has to fade).
FAQ: Roof Painting Costs
Look for a water- or oil-based acrylic paint that is specifically designed to be applied to the type of roof you’re painting. Eco-conscious homeowners will also want to look for paints that are formulated without volatile organic compounds.
Talk to your roofing contractor about roof painting financing. You may be able to finance your roof painting through a low-interest home improvement loan.
Painting roof tiles will cost between $4 and $10 per square foot. However, you should never paint terracotta tile roofs, because paint will not adhere to the glazing.
Painting your roof white or another light color can make your home more energy efficient, lowering your electricity use and environmental impact. Take it from David Snyder, CEO of Nova Home Buyers, LLC:
“A solar roof is a great and obvious way to reduce energy use and has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly. Other options include a metal roof that is painted white to reflect the sun’s rays and reduce the amount of heat that is absorbed by your home. ”
