Cost of Asphalt Shingles per Square Foot
The average roofing replacement price for an asphalt shingle roof costs anywhere between $1.71 to $3.12 per square foot or $171 to $312 per square (per 100 sq. ft.), depending on the quality of the shingles. This installation cost includes the cost of both materials and professional labor.
Roof Size | Low | High | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Per 100 sq. ft. | $171.32 | $312.46 | $241.89 |
Per 3000 sq.ft. | $5,140 | $18,374 | $11,757 |
Keep in mind that this is a starting cost, and your contractor may charge more for demolition and removal of your old roof.
Factors Influencing Asphalt Shingle Costs
The cost of your asphalt shingle roofing project isn’t determined by a single factor. It’s influenced by a combination of elements, such as
Type and Quality of Shingles
- Premium architectural asphalt shingles may cost you more per square foot than basic grade 3-tab asphalt shingles.
- The cost of a 3 tab composition shingle can be as low as $2 per square foot of roofing material. One square (100 square feet) of 3-tab roofing would cost around $200 per square.
- Architectural asphalt shingles would cost around $5.50 per square foot or $550 per square, but can go up to $7 per square foot.
Asphalt Shingle Type | Average Cost per sq. ft. | Average Cost per 100 sq. ft. | Features |
---|---|---|---|
3-Tab Shingles | $2 | $200 | Affordable Flat look Easy to install |
Architectural Shingles | $5.50 | $550 | Dimensional look Waterproof Long lasting |
Luxury Synthetic Shingles | $9.50 | $950 | Look similar to high-end cedar and slate shingles Energy efficient |
Material Cost
- Material cost for asphalt shingles can range from $138.51 to $252.62 per 100 sq. ft. This can include the shingles, underlayment, flashing, drip edges and sealant.
- Installation of gutters may be required during your roof replacement, which will also cause the cost to go up.
Labor Cost
- The labor cost for asphalt roofing averages from $56.12 to $102.35 per roofing square (per 100 sq. ft.) in the US and vary as per your state/city.
- Labor charge also depends on the slope, pitch, and size of your roof which determines the efforts and number of hours on the job for the professionals.
Roof Removal
- Roof removal refers to removing old shingles from the roof and cleaning it so that new shingles can be installed.
- You can expect to pay $200 to $500 per roofing square for removal. This may or may not include the cost of disposal of debris.
- Ask your contractor to inspect your old roofing and if the new asphalt shingles can be installed over it rather than complete removal.
Asphalt Shingle Brands
The most popular brands for asphalt shingles are Owens Corning, GAF and CertainTeed. The cost for shingles from these brands start from $100 and can go upto $550 based on the quality features provided by the brands. These may include features like durability, energy efficiency, resistance against elements, colors, size etc.
Asphalt Shingle Warranty
Different brands can provide varied warranty and deals on asphalt shingles which usually ranges from 20 to 5o years. You can expect to pay 10-15% higher for a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty on materials.
Because every roof and homeowner project is different, we encourage you to use our Cost Calculator tool to get a closer estimate based on your home and needs.
What are the Different Types of Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles comes in three varieties, organic-mat based, fiberglass, and architectural style shingles. The most affordable option is the organic mat based shingle, which is waterproof and made up of paper coated with asphalt.
The next best asphalt shingles are fiberglass roofing shingles, which are treated with a resin that creates a waterproof and fire resistant material. The best asphalt shingles aesthetically speaking are architectural shingles which are two layers of shingles treated and bonded with a sealant that is aesthetically pleasing and adds an elegant look to your home’s roof. Each shingle type differs by cost, durability, and overall appearance which we discuss below.
3 Tab Asphalt Shingles
The cost of a 3 tab composition shingle can be as low as $2 per square foot of roofing material. One square (100 square feet) of 3-tab roofing would cost around $200 per square.
3 tab asphalt shingles are the most common asphalt roofing type you see installed on homes. Three tab shingles are distinguished by cutouts or tabs that are made along their long lower edge. The result is that each roof shingle looks like three separate pieces when installed, but it is only one.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural roofing shingles contain no cutouts, but their lower portions are laminated with an additional asphalt layer. This creates a contoured, dimensional look that gives them their name. Asphalt sealant bonds the layers, reinforcing the shingles’ waterproof capability.
Architectural roofs have an average return on investment of 6% on your home’s value. The cost of 30 year architectural asphalt shingles would cost around $4.50 per square foot or $450 per square, but can go up to $7 per square foot.
Synthetic Asphalt Shingles
Luxury synthetic asphalt shingles can replicate high end roofing material such as natural slate and cedar shake roofs but at a much lower price. Natural wood roofs and slate tile roofing are more expensive to install and involve an extended roofing installation labor which adds up in total costs. A synthetic slate roof costs around $9.50 per square foot ($950 per square). A real slate roof may cost as much as 10 times that of architectural laminate roofing shingles.
Asphalt Shingle Colors
Choosing a color for your new roof is extremely important as it will tie your home’s total appearance together. Make sure to do your research and find similar style homes as your own to see what colors you prefer. You will generally find shingle colors ranging from:
- Pale Gray
- Medium Gray
- Dark Gray
- Beige
- Red
- Medium Brown
- Dark Brow
- Blue
- Blue – Green
- Polychromatic Light and Dark Tones
Are Asphalt Shingles Right for Your Climate?
Asphalt shingle manufacturer warranties currently guarantee asphalt shingles from 15- to 30-years useful life. The large variance in those warranties are typically based on climate, weather, and other environmental factors.
Homeowners in areas enduring long summers with high heat may need to replace roofing sooner than homeowners in cooler regions. In areas known for severe winters, ice may aggravate tiny cracks and fissures in your asphalt roofing shingles. Algae and fungus growth can also be potentially damaging for roofing in perennially damp or subtropical areas. Algae-resistant shingles are available with ceramic granules that are coated with leachable copper to prevent discoloration and long-term damage from algae and moss growth.
Keep in mind though, this protective treatment can add 10% to 15% to your total costs on roofing materials. It is always smart to speak to local roofing contractors to get an idea of which roofing shingles are best for your area.
Cons of Asphalt Roofing
Though your asphalt shingle roof should last 15 to 30 years, it is not necessarily a great environmental choice. Traditional roofing products contribute an estimated 20 billion pounds of waste to U.S. landfills on an annual basis. Asphalt shingles do offer the possibility of being reused or recycled with uses in hot mix asphalt, cold asphalt patching, and as a fuel in cement kilns, but asphalt naturally contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are carcinogenic and may put recycling workers at risk.
If your existing roof has less than two layers of shingles on it, you can reduce the amount of waste generated by your upgrade (not to mention the demolition cost) by layering your new roof on top of the existing structure.
Cleaning Asphalt Roofing
Professionals recommend that homeowners clean asphalt roofing once per year to protect their roofing investment and extend the lifespan of their asphalt roof.
“Cleaning an asphalt roof periodically can extend your roof’s life, if done correctly. It is important to have a professional handle this job, ideally performing a soft wash rather than a power wash. Power washing can damage shingles while a soft wash uses an air compressor to pump a cleaning solution onto the roof.”
-Jamie Dulin, VP of marketing at Power Home Remodeling
In addition to helping your roof last longer, cleaning asphalt shingles will also make them look better and boost your home’s curb appeal. Homeowners may want to avoid handling this task themselves due to risk of injury and saving themselves another weekend chore. Professionals can visit your home and clean your asphalt roof for you yearly at an affordable cost. However, for do-it-yourselfers, know that cleaning your roof can often be done DIY.
Finding a Professional Roofing Contractor
If asphalt shingles seem like the right choice for your home, Modernize can instantly connect you with local roofers that can get the job done right. We’ll help you compare three to four local quotes and find the best professional for your budget and needs.
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