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How Much Does It Cost to Insulate Your Attic and Roof? (2023)
By Alora Rands /
Fiberglass Shingles Cost and Homeowners Guide (2023)
Average Fiberglass Shingles Cost: $7,700–$10,000 for a 1,700-square-foot roof
- Fiberglass shingles typically last 15 to 30 years.
- Fiberglass shingles are lightweight, so they can be installed relatively quickly.
- Fiberglass shingles cost between $3.50 and $5 per square foot.
Fiberglass shingles are one of the most popular residential roofing types, thanks to the low price point and wide availability across the U.S. This roofing material offers good curb appeal and value, but it won’t last as long as other roofing materials. Fiberglass shingles are similar to asphalt shingles, but contain less asphalt, and are thinner and lighter.
Cost of Installing a Fiberglass Shingle Roof
Fiberglass shingles are one of the cheapest roofing materials, costing only between $3.50 to $5 per square foot. Accounting for labor costs, the average total price of a new fiberglass roof is between $7,700 and $10,000.
It’s important to note that these numbers are national averages based on a 1,700-square-foot roof. Your roof pitch, slope and size will impact your final cost. If your roof needs underlayment, you will also need to pay an additional charge per square foot of material.
How to Calculate the Cost of Your New Fiberglass Shingles
Every roof and roofing project is unique. The best way to get an idea of how much your roofing project will cost is to have a reputable roofing contractor come to your house and give you a customized estimate.
That being said, you can still calculate a rough estimate for your new fiberglass shingle roof. Use the following equations for a ballpark of what materials will cost you:
$3.50 x size of your roof in square feet = Low-end cost of a fiberglass shingle roof
$5 x size of your roof in square feet = High-end cost of a fiberglass shingle roof
So, if your roof is 1,700 square feet (the average roof size in the U.S.), you would calculate the following:
$3.50 x 1,700 = $5,950
$5 x 1,700 = $8,500
Remember — this estimate does not include labor costs and other charges associated with a roof replacement project. If you’re ready to get started with a professional roofer, select one of our top providers below to get an accurate, no-obligation estimate.
So, how do you know if fiberglass shingles are right for you? Select one of our recommended roofing providers below for a free quote, or keep reading to learn more.
Aspen Contracting
Most Eco-Friendly
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
Erie Metal Roofs
Best for New Roofs
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
Power Home
Best Overall
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
Factors That Go Into Fiberglass Shingles Pricing
The fiberglass material itself is only a small aspect of the total estimate you’ll see for a new roof installation. Here are the most important shingle roof cost factors to consider:
Material Pricing For Fiberglass Shingles
Fiberglass shingles are one of the most affordable roofing materials available. As we already mentioned, fiberglass shingles typically cost between $3.50 and $5.00 per square foot. This roof cost is similar to the cost of other types of asphalt shingles.
Basic Labor Cost and Time to Complete Fiberglass Shingles Installation
On average, the basic labor cost for fiberglass shingle installation is $111 per square (100 sq ft) or $1.11 per square foot. Compared to other roofing materials, fiberglass is easy to install because it is lightweight and very common, so most roofers are very familiar with this type of installation.
The national average cost to hire a roofer is $75 an hour, but this will vary depending on where you live.
Removing Your Current Roof and Dump Fees
In order to install a fiberglass shingle roof, you must strip and dispose of the old roof before you can lay down the new shingles.
Depending on the roofing company you hire, you may have to pay extra for the removal and disposal of your old roof. Talk to your roofer and establish who will be responsible for disposing of the old roofing materials before your project begins.
It costs between $30 and $50 per truckload to drop off old shingles at your local solid waste management center. You may also have to pay to rent a dumpster or truck.
However, it is best to recycle old roofing materials whenever possible — and asphalt shingles can be recycled! Call your local recycling or solid waste management center for more information and learn if there are asphalt recycling facilities near you.
Size and Complexity of Your Roof
You already know that the larger your roof, the more you’ll pay for roofing materials and labor costs. However, if your roof has details like a chimney, skylight windows, multiple tiers or ventilation systems, your labor costs will be higher.
If your roof is very steep or has a lot of valleys or facets, your roofer will have to take more safety precautions to complete the installation. This also drives prices up.
Every roof is different, so we recommend speaking with a roofing professional to get a free, personalized quote for your project. If you’re ready to get started, you can select one of our recommended providers below.
Pros and Cons of Installing Fiberglass Shingles
Fiberglass shingles, like all other roofing types, have their pros and cons. The best roofing companies can discuss your options with you and help you decide if fiberglass shingles are a good choice. Here’s what you need to know:
Advantages of Fiberglass Shingles
- Affordable: At just $3.50 to $5.00 per square foot, fiberglass shingle roofs have one of the lowest costs of any roofing material.
- Easy to install: Fiberglass shingles are lightweight, so they can be installed more quickly than heavier roofing materials like concrete or clay.
- Large selection of colors and styles: Fiberglass shingles are very popular and come in a wide selection of colors and styles. Styles of fiberglass shingles include architectural shingles and 3-tab shingles.
- Fire resistance: When installed with the proper underlayment, fiberglass shingles offer great fire resistance, increasing the safety of your home.
Disadvantages of Fiberglass Shingles
- Not environmentally friendly: Asphalt and fiberglass shingles can technically be recycled, but recycling facilities for this roofing material are not available everywhere. Plus, fiberglass shingles do not last as long as other, more durable roofing materials like metal. This means that you’ll have to replace your roof more often, contributing to residential waste.
- Short lifespan: Fiberglass shingles have to be replaced more frequently than any other type of roofing, including metal, clay, concrete and wood shake roofs. Lasting only 15 to 30 years, you may have to replace your fiberglass shingle roof more than twice as frequently as other types of roofing.
- Less durability: Because they are so lightweight, fiberglass shingles are susceptible to blowing off damage from high winds or storms.
Check out this video to learn more about the pros and cons of fiberglass shingles:
Lifetime and Durability of Fiberglass Shingles
Fiberglass shingle roofs typically last between 15 and 30 years. Fiberglass shingles can generally withstand the elements, but high winds and very cold weather can cause the shingles to experience premature wear and tear.
Unlike metal and tile roofing, which are made of a single material, fiberglass roofing is made of composition shingles. That means that several components — a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and ceramic granules — are joined together to create this roof type.
Because fiberglass shingles are made with less asphalt than organic asphalt shingles, they can become more brittle in cold climates. This can leave your roof vulnerable to damage and difficult to repair in the colder months.
Are Fiberglass Shingles Environmentally Friendly?
Fiberglass shingles are not the most environmentally friendly roofing material. Fiberglass shingles have a shorter lifespan than metal, clay, concrete and wood shingles. The more frequently you have to replace your roof, the more waste you are creating.
Fiberglass shingles can be recycled and used for other construction projects. However, the infrastructure and facilities to recycle asphalt shingles are not available everywhere.
Fiberglass is made from a combination of materials, including plastic, which can make it more difficult to recycle than metal roofing materials. For context, metal roofing can be recycled an infinite number of times and can also be made of 100% recycled materials.
Luckily, fiberglass shingles and other types of asphalt roofing are still compatible with solar panels. There’s no better time to go solar than at the same time as a new roof installation, so you can still make your fiberglass shingle roof sustainable.
Financing Your New Fiberglass Shingles
Even though fiberglass shingles are a relatively cheap roofing material, a new roof is still costly, typically amounting to at least $8,000. The good news is that you don’t have to pay for the total cost of your new roof upfront. Here are the most common ways to finance your new fiberglass roof:
- Through your roofing contractor: Most roofing companies have partnerships with lending partners like banks to connect their customers with reasonable financing options. Talk with your roofing company to discuss what loan fits your needs.
- Taking out a home equity loan: You can use your home as collateral and pay off your roof with a low-interest home equity line of credit (HELOC).1
- Taking out a home improvement loan: If you do not have built-up equity in your home, you may not qualify for a HELOC. Instead, you can take out a home improvement loan. The interest rate of the loan will depend on your credit score and income.
- Note: Low- and moderate-income households are eligible for FHA Title 1 loans. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) assists homeowners with securing better loans by insuring lenders against losses.2
- Filing a claim with your Insurance or home warranty: If you are replacing your roof due to storm damage or another unavoidable accident, you can file an insurance claim to see if your insurance company will pay for your new roof. If your insurance company won’t cover it, check your home warranty policy. Every home warranty plan is different, but many plans will help you pay for your roof replacement if your roof is old or damaged.
The ROI of your Fiberglass Shingles
Compared to other home improvement projects, new roofs offer a great opportunity to invest in your home and increase its market value. In fact, as of 2022, the return on investment (ROI) of a new asphalt roof is close to 60%.3
That means that you can reclaim more than half of what you pay for your new roof installation through the increased resale value of your house.
If you’d like to get started with your new roofing project, select one of our recommended roofing providers below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a professional.
Costs of Maintenance and Repairs for Fiberglass Shingles
The most common repairs you’ll have to make on a fiberglass shingle roof are replacing missing shingles and fixing cracked or curling shingles. Because fiberglass shingles are so lightweight, they can blow away in high winds.
The average cost of repairing an asphalt roof (including fiberglass shingle roofs) is between $450 and $800. You may even be able to perform simple repairs on your own.
Cost of Cleaning Your Fiberglass Shingles
Annual roof cleaning is an important part of roof maintenance. If you don’t clean your roof, mold, moss and algae can build up and cause rot, leading to structural damage.
Although roof cleaning is important, keep in mind that some types of roof cleaning are not suitable for fiberglass shingles.
For instance, never use a high-pressure powerwasher on your fiberglass shingles. Fiberglass shingles are so thin and light that pressure washing can damage your roof, causing your shingles to blow off.
Instead, soft-wash roof cleaning is the best option for asphalt roofs. On average, it costs $650 to hire a professional to clean your roof with this method.
Be careful of roof cleaning methods that use harsh chemicals. Not only is this bad for the environment by filtering into groundwater, it can also harm the landscaping around your house.
A professional roofing company can help you with your roof installation and roof maintenance like cleaning and inspections.
Are Fiberglass Shingles Worth It?
The average price of a fiberglass shingle roof is $7,700–$10,000 (including installation costs). Considering fiberglass shingles are one of the cheapest roofing materials available, they must be worth it, right?
Not necessity. Fiberglass shingles offer a great initial value, but they do not last nearly as long as metal or tile roofs. In fact, metal roofs last 40 to 75 years or more, far more than the average lifespan of asphalt roofs of 15 to 30 years.
The most durable roofing materials, like aluminum and steel shingles, may cost a little more than fiberglass shingles upfront, but they typically provide more value in the long run.
That being said, asphalt or fiberglass shingles may still be right for you. Talk with a roofing professional to discuss your options and get a free estimate from a local pro.
FAQ: Fiberglass Roof Shingles
Fiberglass shingles are a type of asphalt roofing material. Fiberglass shingles are similar in price to other types of asphalt shingle roofs.
Yes, fiberglass shingles are good for solar panels. Fiberglass shingles and solar panels have a similar lifespan (around 25 years), so if you’re getting a new roof, it’s also a great time to install solar.
Fiberglass shingles last between 15 and 30 years, the same lifespan as other types of asphalt shingles. This lifespan pales in comparison to other types of roofs, such as metal, clay or concrete.
