How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Metal Roof? (2024)

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: 
Roof paint

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

5 signs you need a new roof

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. 

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Power Home

Best Overall

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Positive industry reputation
  • Lifetime or lengthy warranty
  • 10+ years of experience
  • Positive customer reviews
  • Uses eco-friendly materials
  • Well-trained, certified installers
  • Variety of roofing styles available

Cons

  • Limited variety of roofing materials
  • Short or nonexistent warranty
  • No financing information available
  • Expensive
  • Little information available on company website
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Erie Home

Best for New Roofs

Zero Down - 18 months same as cash with minimum monthly payment

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Lifetime or lengthy warranty
  • Widespread availability
  • 10+ years of experience
  • Positive customer reviews
  • Uses eco-friendly materials
  • Financing options available
  • Well-trained, certified installers
  • Uses durable materials meant to last
  • Variety of roofing styles available

Cons

  • Limited variety of roofing materials
  • Expensive
Badge icon

Aspen Contracting

Most Eco-Friendly

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Positive industry reputation
  • Lifetime or lengthy warranty
  • Widespread availability
  • 10+ years of experience
  • Positive customer reviews
  • Financing options available

Cons

  • Little information available on company website

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

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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). 

Curious about how much your roofing project will cost you? Select one of our top roofing providers below to get a free cost estimate. 

FAQ: Roof Painting Costs

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Article author
Faith is a writer based in North Carolina. She holds English and economics degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, and her background includes event management and technical publishing. Faith is passionate about the arts and loves exploring environmental issues through economic and artistic lenses. She also enjoys spending time in nature, collecting books and practicing her Spanish.
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Expert reviewer
Melissa is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainability studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a nonprofit that’s featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.