A metal roof in Washington State costs between $14,000 and $54,000 installed in 2026, depending on the system you choose. Standing seam — the premium, hidden-fastener option most King County homeowners ask about — runs $32,000 to $54,000 on a typical home. Metal shingles run $18,000 to $34,000, and exposed-fastener corrugated panels are the budget option at $14,000 to $24,000. Here is what actually drives the number on your quote, and how metal compares to asphalt over the life of the roof.
Metal roof cost by system (Washington, 2026)
| Metal system | Installed cost (typical home) | Cost per sq ft | Service life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing seam (hidden fastener) | $32,000 to $54,000 | $12 to $18 | 40 to 70 years |
| Metal shingles / stamped | $18,000 to $34,000 | $9 to $14 | 40 to 60 years |
| Exposed-fastener corrugated | $14,000 to $24,000 | $6 to $11 | 25 to 40 years |
| Aluminum (coastal / lakefront) | $34,000 to $56,000 | $13 to $19 | 50+ years |
Those ranges hold across most of King County. The exact number on your quote depends on the factors below.
What drives metal roof cost up or down
Roof complexity and pitch
A simple gable roof is the cheapest to panel. Multiple dormers, valleys, skylights, and steep pitches all add labor and custom flashing. A complex roof can cost 20 to 40 percent more per square foot than a simple one of the same size.
Panel gauge and coating
Thicker steel (24-gauge versus 26-gauge) and premium Kynar/PVDF finishes cost more but last longer and hold color better through Pacific Northwest UV and rain. On a standing seam roof, the coating choice alone can move the price several thousand dollars.
Tear-off and decking
Removing the old roof and repairing any rotted decking is part of most quotes. Deck replacement runs $4 to $9 per sheet of plywood, and it is common to find some rot under an aging asphalt roof in our climate.
Metal versus asphalt: the real comparison
A standing seam metal roof costs two to three times what an architectural asphalt roof costs upfront — roughly $32,000 to $54,000 against $14,000 to $26,000. The trade-off is lifespan: metal lasts 40 to 70 years while asphalt lasts 20 to 28 in the Pacific Northwest. If you plan to stay in the home long term, the metal roof is often the last roof you buy, which changes the math from sticker price to cost per year.
Metal also sheds moss, algae, and standing debris far better than asphalt — a real advantage in King County, where asphalt roofs need periodic cleaning to reach their rated life. Fewer maintenance cycles is part of the long-term value.
Metal Roof Cost FAQ
How much does a metal roof cost in Washington State?
For a standard home, a metal roof in Washington runs $14,000 to $54,000 installed depending on the system. Exposed-fastener corrugated panels are the low end at $14,000 to $24,000; standing seam is the premium at $32,000 to $54,000. Metal shingles fall in between at $18,000 to $34,000.
Is a metal roof worth it in the Pacific Northwest?
For most homeowners planning to stay in the home, yes. A metal roof lasts 40 to 70 years versus 20 to 28 for architectural asphalt, sheds moss and rain far better in our wet climate, and rarely needs the periodic cleaning that asphalt does. The higher upfront cost is offset by not replacing the roof again.
How much more does metal cost than asphalt?
Metal typically costs two to three times more than asphalt upfront. A standing seam roof that runs $32,000 to $54,000 replaces an asphalt roof that would cost $14,000 to $26,000 — but the metal roof lasts two to three times as long, so the lifetime cost per year is comparable or lower.
What is the cost per square foot of a metal roof?
In Washington, standing seam runs about $12 to $18 per square foot installed, metal shingles $9 to $14, and exposed-fastener corrugated $6 to $11. Roof complexity, pitch, and panel gauge move the number within those ranges.
Does a metal roof lower my home insurance?
Sometimes. Many Washington carriers offer a small premium discount for impact- and fire-resistant metal roofing. It varies by insurer, so ask your agent — the discount rarely covers the cost difference by itself but adds to the long-term value.
Get a real number for your Washington metal roof
Every roof is different, and the ranges above are a starting point, not a quote. Prosperity Roofing provides free, itemized metal roof estimates across King County — standing seam, metal shingle, and aluminum systems — so you can see exactly what your project costs before you commit. Request a free estimate and we will walk your roof and put real numbers on paper.
