How much does it cost to paint a metal roof in 2023?

Applying a coat of paint is the primary function of protecting the roof from corrosion, moss, and algae. Painting a metal roof extends its service life while improving aesthetics and reducing the need for repairs. If your roofing looks tarnished or you want to change its color, painting can be a great home improvement project.

However, like any other home update, painting the roof requires careful budgeting based on accurate labor and material costs. Features like roof size, construction, and slope, as well as the selected paint manufacturer and type, affect the total price the most. As of today, the national average cost to paint a metal roof is $2.360, but it might be as low as $450 and as high as $6.500, depending on the roof's features and local labor rates.

Read on to discover all the factors that affect the cost of applying a new coat of paint on the metal roof. We will further discuss the types of metal roof paints and additional criteria that add to the overall material and labor cost.

The cost to paint a metal roof per square foot

Often, contractors quote prices in square feet, knowing each roof has its custom dimensions. Do not be afraid to be cheated. You can always check how their prices correspond to the average cost of painting a metal roof.

The price varies depending on the paint needed for full coverage. You can expect to spend around $2 per square foot to paint a metal roof. When requesting price estimates from local painters, the range can be between $1.00 and $3.00 per square foot.

Please note that you can also be asked to pay per square. A square refers to an area of 100 square feet. For example, metal shingles are typically sold per square foot, costing around $210 per square.

See below to find the metal roof painting costs per square foot by roof size.

The cost to paint metal roof by paint type

Painting costs may also differ by coating. The two most common roof painting types are Silicone Modified Polyester (SMP) and Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF). Both coatings protect the metal roof from weathering for a long time, except the fading speed is slightly better for PVDF. Let's dive into the details to help you make an informed buying decision. 

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) paint

PVDF is one of the best organic coatings available, providing excellent color retention and corrosion resistance. It comprises 70% fluorocarbon resin and 30% acrylic resin with special weather-resistant pigments. With fluorine resin as the primary film-forming material, PVDF is an ideal protective coating for metal building panels such as steel and aluminum. In addition, its service life can reach 25 years under normal conditions.

Compared with traditional paints, PVDF coating has excellent resistance to corrosion, UV, dirt, and scratches. As a result, it will retain its color and luster after 20 years of outdoor use. In addition, it is available in a wide range of colors.

Silicone-Modified Polyester (SMP) paint

SMP coating is also a chart-topping paint in the market. It combines the characteristics of polyester resin and silicone resin, featuring excellent durability, color retention, and exceptional corrosion and weather resistance. In the general environment, its service life is more than 10 years. In contrast to PVDF, this coating is cheaper and less prone to chalking, so it is often used in areas with strong wind.

Here are the metal roof painting costs by paint type.

You will need around 1 gallon of paint for 100 square feet of roof, regardless of the brand of paint you use.

Factors affecting metal roof painting cost

Not only the type of paint determines the final price. The project's complexity and preparation of the area to be painted also fall into the primary cost-formation factors. Pay attention to the following criteria to ensure your ballpark metal roof painting cost is accurate.

Power washing

Cleaning is an essential stage in the preparation of the roof for painting. Leaves, dirt, salt, and sand are washed out using high-pressure equipment. You might also need to clean the site of corrosion and old paintwork with special brushes for metal and grinders. The renting of the whole equipment set will cost you about $51-$113 per day.

But if you don't have time to do it yourself, you can hire a skilled roofing contractor. Pressure washing usually costs $60 to $100 per hour. For example, a 1,200-square-foot house takes roughly 6 hours to clean, totaling about $360 - $600.

Sealing

As a rule, along with painting, roof contractors expect you to seal your roof. The cost of roof sealing is $7 - $32 per square. Sealing will provide your roof with an increased level of protection, including:

• water resistance
• fire resistance
• temperature retention
• mold protection

Roof size

Most roofers calculate the cost of materials per square foot, although sometimes they charge by the hour. To determine the cost of painting the roof, you should first calculate its size. To do that, multiply your actual home's square footage by 1.5. Next, find out the rate of a local roof painting contractor for a square foot and multiply it by the received number. For example, a 3,000-foot roof for $2 per square foot will cost you $6.000 if fully painted. 

If the metal roof painting cost calculators seem controversial to you, consider using our contractor-matching service to request clear-cut price quotations from accredited roofing painters operating nearby. It is free of charge and non-binding.

Roof pitch

Its slope and design complexity determine how much to paint a metal roof. The price change starts from a pitch of 3 inches or more. A steeper pitch roof will cost more to paint since it needs more workforce, safety measures, and equipment. The overall cost might rise to 20%, depending on the roof's slope.

Quality of paint

The composition of the paint should be selected based on the material of the existing roof. For instance, acrylic latex paint suits bare metal roofs and can be applied over old paint. On the other hand, oil paints are best for thorny metal roofs, while acrylic works well on galvanized ones.

Go to the local home improvement store to explore the assortment of paints. You can also consult a professional contractor to discover how the cost of painting a metal roof may change depending on the selected paint type and brand. Don't compromise the quality of the paint to save a few dollars, as using watery paint on a metal roof can lead to poor adhesion, peeling, and reduced durability. 

Color of paint

Painting a metal roof will also require picking a suitable color. The color choice should be guided by aesthetic wishes, the exterior of the house, and the surroundings. But you can also follow more practical targets. For example, if you want to enhance your roof's energy efficiency, go for lighter colors reflecting heat.

If the desired color is out of the list of standard manufacturer colors, go for a custom option. Specially designed paint adapted to your siding shade will cost you 1.5 - 2 times as much but can greatly enhance your home's curb appeal. 

Local labor rates

Some companies may charge an hourly rate ($30-$50 per hour) for roof painting, but the estimated price often depends on the materials and complexity. For example, the roof's slope or the location can raise the price. Contractor rates also vary from state to state: the larger and more populous the area — the higher the cost.

Season

Time intervals from April to May and from September to early October are ideal for applying paint on the roof, as there is no scorching sun or high precipitation levels outside. These months are seasonal peaks for roofing jobs, including painting, resulting in rates spiking by 5-7%. That is why it makes sense to book a contractor in advance to avoid paying through the nose. 

Labor cost to repaint a metal roof

If your roof is covered with an old coat of paint, you may need to renew the home's former aesthetics. You can start with other restoration work, like a roof check and cleaning, but sooner or later, you will have only one wish — to repaint it.

If you’re wondering how much it costs to repaint a metal roof, the answer will be around $1.440 - $3.300.

As with other roofing jobs, you can choose one of the paths: hire a professional or do the painting yourself. Depending on your choice, you can calculate the cost of painting the metal roof according to the following table.

Established metal roof painting companies near you