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Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost (Homeowners Guide 2024)
Average Asphalt Roof Cost: $8,000- $10,000
- Architectural shingles are the most durable type of asphalt roof
- Asphalt shingles are the most affordable and popular roofing material
- It takes 1 to 3 days on average to install a new asphalt roof
- Asphalt shingles cost between $3.50 and $5 per square foot
Nearly 80% of Americans have an asphalt shingle roof, making it the most popular roofing material by far.1 Asphalt shingles are widely available, extremely affordable, and can come in a variety of colors to match your home.
Asphalt shingles typically cost between $3.50 and $5 per square foot, with the national average cost of roof installation between $8,000 and $10,000. However, the total cost can range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on your roofing company, roof complexity, and several other factors that we’ll discuss in this article.
Asphalt shingles are typically made up of a mixture of the following ingredients: asphalt (a semi-solid form of petroleum), fiberglass, stone granules, sealant, and release film. But not all asphalt roofing options are equal. Some are cheaply made, while others are made up of a higher percentage of stone granules, making them more durable.
While asphalt shingles are not the most eco-friendly material, they are one of the best types of roofs for solar panels and can occasionally be recycled
Cost of Installing an Asphalt Roof
The cost of installing an asphalt roof is between $8,000 and $10,000 for the typical 1,700-square-foot roof.
Keep in mind that costs can vary by several thousand dollars depending on several factors, including:
- Type of asphalt shingle
- Roofing contractor
- Complexity and square footage of your roof
- The difficulty of removing your existing roof
On average, asphalt roofing material costs between $4 and $5 per square foot, with prices differing based on the type of shingle.
Cheaper three-tab shingles (also known as strip shingles) cost anywhere from $1 to $3.50 per square foot, while the average price for architectural asphalt shingles (also known as dimensional or composite shingles) lies between $4.50 to $7.
Then there are so-called “luxury” asphalt shingles that can replicate the look of wood or slate roofs at a much lower cost. While they’re still cheaper than the material they’re emulating, they’re on the high end for asphalt roof shingles, coming in around $8 to $12 per square foot.
How to Calculate the Cost of Your New Asphalt Roof
The only way to know exactly how much your new roof will cost is to get an estimate from a professional roofing company, which you can do for free. However, if you’d like to get a ballpark idea, follow these instructions to calculate a new roof installation.
First, if you know which type of asphalt shingle you’d like to install, check out the table below for the average cost estimates.
| Type of Asphalt Roof Shingle | Average Material Cost per Square Foot | Shingle Material Cost per Square
(100 sq. ft.) |
Estimated Price Range
for 1,700-Square-Foot Roof Installation |
| 3-tab shingles | $1 to $3 | $100 to $300 | $5,000 to $8,000 |
| Architectural Asphalt shingles | $4.50 to $7 | $450 to $700 | $8,000 to $12,000 |
| Luxury shingles | $8 to $12 | $800 to $950 | $10,000 to $16,000 |
Then, multiply the material cost per square foot (as determined by our table above) by your roof’s total square footage to get a price estimate for your new shingles.
Roofing material cost estimate = Roof size x Material cost per square foot
Again, we want to stress that this is just a rough estimate. Plus, these material costs only include the shingles, so you can expect to pay more for additional materials (like underlayment, roof deck, and fasteners).
Installation costs will also increase based on roof complexity, labor difficulty, and old roof removal costs.
Cost Factors for Asphalt Roofs
There are several factors that will affect the total installation cost of your new or replacement roof, including the brand of the roofing products. CertainTEED, GAF and Owens Corning are three of the most popular roofing manufacturers.
Below are some of the most common cost factors for asphalt roofs:
Type of Asphalt Material Pricing for Asphalt
As mentioned, there are different types of asphalt shingles, each with a different look and price tag.
The three main types of asphalt shingles are:
-
- 3-tab asphalt shingles: Cost $1 to $3 per square foot on average. They are thin, made from a single layer of asphalt, and offer a flat, slate look.
- Architectural asphalt shingles: Cost $4.50 to $7 on average. They have a multi-dimensional appearance, made from two or more layers of asphalt and can replicate wood shakes or natural slate roofing.
- Luxury asphalt shingles: Can cost between $8 and $12 per square foot. These are the highest-quality asphalt shingles, coated with laminate for durability and increased weather protection.
The best type of asphalt shingle for you will depend on where you live and what your priorities are. If budget is your top priority, 3-tab shingles may be best. However, keep in mind that investing in architectural or luxury shingles will boost your home’s value and will come with stronger warranties (sometimes even a lifetime warranty) because of their increased durability.
You can learn more about the types of asphalt shingles in this video.
Basic Labor Cost and Time to Complete an Asphalt Roof Installation
An asphalt shingle roof typically takes 1 to 3 days on average. But of course, the time of installation will vary based on your roof’s size and shape, plus how many roofers are able to come to your house for the job.
Labor costs will differ based on location and cost of living, as well as the difficulty of installation. If you have a really steep roof pitch or other obstructive features like roof dormers, it may take your roofers longer to complete your shingle installation, and therefore will be more expensive.
Removing Your Current Roof and Dump Fees
If you’re not installing a brand new roof on a newly built home, you’ll be charged a fee for having the roofers remove your old shingles and dispose of them.
Size and Complexity of your Roof
If you have a really steep roof pitch or other obstructive features (i.e. roof dormers, chimneys or skylights), you’ll likely face higher costs because the installation will be more challenging for the roofers to complete.
Pros and Cons of Installing Asphalt Roofs
Nearly all of the best roofing contractors install asphalt shingle roofs, which is why they’re such a popular roofing option.
However, like any other roofing material, there are advantages and disadvantages to installing an asphalt roof.
| Pros of an Asphalt Roof | Cons of an Asphalt Roof |
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Lifetime and Durability of Asphalt Roofs
Asphalt roofs last 10 to 30 years on average because they’re not as durable and weather-resistant as other roofing materials.
When comparing asphalt to metal shingles, you’ll find that metal shingles are much more durable and are less likely to tear off from strong winds. That’s why metal roofs have a lifespan between 40 and 75 years.
On the other hand, asphalt shingles are much more budget-friendly and come in a lot more colors. But if cost is your only deciding factor, consider that you’ll likely have to pay for roof repairs more often with asphalt shingles, as well as replace your roof sooner.
If you live in a mild climate that doesn’t see much severe weather, an asphalt roof might be a good choice.
Are Asphalt Roofs Environmentally Friendly?
We’re not going to sugarcoat that asphalt shingles are probably one of the worst types of roofing materials for the environment. There are several reasons why asphalt is not an eco-friendly material:
- An asphalt is a semi-solid form of petroleum, so it’s going to have a bigger environmental impact compared to a roof made from recycled metal shingles or solar shingles.
- An asphalt roof absorbs heat, leading to higher cooling costs and a less energy-efficient home.
- While asphalt shingles can be recycled in some areas, the service is not available in every area, which means a lot of old roofs may end up in landfills.
If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly roofing material, consider metal or solar shingles. But, if you’re considering installing solar panels on your new roof, asphalt roofs are a good option, as they’re very solar compatible.
Financing Your New Asphalt Roof
Asphalt may be the most inexpensive roofing material, but most homeowners can’t afford to shell out $8,000 to $10,000 out of pocket. Fortunately, most of the top roofing companies offer in-house or third-party loans to finance your new roof.
Ways to Save on Asphalt Shingle Roof Costs
Some people think the only way to save money on a roofing installation is to DIY, but that’s not true. It’s also not recommended, as DIY roofing installations can be extremely dangerous.
There are a few steps you can take to save money on a new roof, including:
- Choose the highest quality of asphalt shingles that your budget allows. The more you invest in your roof upfront, the more money you’ll save on repairs and replacement in the long run.
- Compare at least three quotes from the top roofing companies and find one that works best for your budget.
- See if it’s possible to replace your new roof over your existing roof to save on roof removal and disposal costs.
- Hire a roofing professional in the off-season (late fall or early spring) when they’re not as busy.
- Have your roof regularly cleaned and maintained to extend its lifespan.
The ROI of Your Asphalt Roof
If you’re planning to sell your house at some point, a new roof is a great way to boost home value. According to Today’s Homeowner’s ROI of a Remodel guide, an asphalt roof replacement raised home value by a whopping $7,150, leading to an ROI of 71.1%.
Cost of Maintenance and Repairs for Asphalt Roofs
Asphalt shingle roofs are not as durable as other types, so they may need more maintenance and repairs compared to metal, slate or solar roofs. However, because asphalt is a lightweight and popular material, it’s relatively cheap to repair.
Asphalt roof repair costs range between $450 and $800 depending on the issue. The most common repairs for an asphalt roof are replacing missing shingles and fixing cracked or curling shingles.
Roof Painting Prices for Asphalt Roofs
Professional roof painting or coating generally costs between $1 to $4 per square foot, but it may vary depending on the type of asphalt shingle, labor cost, type of paint and prep work required. The total cost of painting your roof can be between $500 and $3,000.
While painting a roof may seem like a simple DIY task, there are physical and product risks involved. The wrong type of asphalt shingle paint can trap moisture inside your shingles, leading to roof mold and mildew.
Painting your shingles to match your roof to the rest of your home is a great way to boost curb appeal, but it can also have other benefits. For example, you can save on cooling costs if you paint your dark shingles a lighter color, or apply a roof coating to better protect them from roof leaks or weather damage.
Cost of Cleaning Your Asphalt Roof
The average cost to clean an asphalt roof is around $400 total, with most homeowners paying between $250 and $650.
Of course, the total cost of your roof cleaning will vary based on the size of your roof, the cleaning services you need, the condition of your roof, the type of products you want to use, and more.
Since your roof size is one of the most important factors to consider when pricing out roof cleaning services, you can get a better idea of your cost by assuming you’ll pay between $0.15 and $0.70 per square foot.
Asphalt roofs can only be cleaned by way of chemical wash, soft wash or manual moss removal. Power washing an asphalt roof is a bad idea because it will damage the shingles. Below is a look at the average costs based on the type of roof cleaning:
- Chemical wash: $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot, or an average of around $340
- Soft wash: $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot, or an average of around $650
- Manual moss removal: This is the most expensive type of cleaning, costing between $0.60 and $1.00 per square foot, or an average of around $1,200
It’s recommended to clean your roof and gutters annually to avoid the growth of moss and mildew. Installing gutter guards may be a good option to keep your gutters clear of debris.
Are Asphalt Roofs Worth the Cost?
An asphalt roof is the most affordable roofing option, costing between $8,000 and $10,000 on average. Asphalt shingles hold up well in cold and hot climates and come in various styles and colors, making them the top choice for most homeowners.
However, the quality and durability of asphalt shingles don’t always stand the test of time. If budget is your top priority, consider that you’ll likely have to pay for a roof replacement in 10 to 35 years.Asphalt is also the least sustainable roofing option. Although asphalt shingles can be recycled, it’s not a widely available or common practice. Asphalt roofs are also made from petroleum-based materials and retain heat, making your home less energy efficient.
FAQ: Asphalt Roof
There’s a reason why asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material. They’re affordable, versatile, lightweight, and widely available. While asphalt may not be the best roofing material for cost-effectiveness, asphalt shingles are still a good investment for most homeowners.
Many solar companies say that asphalt shingles are one of the best roofing materials for solar panels because they’re flexible and durable, able to withstand the process of installing mounting systems needed for solar panels.
Asphalt shingle roofs are the cheapest roofing option for most homeowners, costing between $8,000 and $10,000 on average. For comparison, metal roofs cost between $9,000 and $40,000 and clay tile roofs cost between $17,000 and $51,000. Although, metal and clay roofs can last 10 to 70 years longer than asphalt shingles, so they may be worth the investment.
Depending on the type of asphalt shingle you choose, it can cost between $100 and $900 for a 100-square-foot area.
