How much does rolled roofing cost in 2023?

US homeowners have been choosing rolled roofing for their projects since the 1800s. The reasonable price and ease of installation have always been the main reasons for its demand. Today, roll roofing is especially prized by homeowners with flat or low-slope roofs for its ability to prevent leaks that are typical for this roof type. If these or other rolled roofing benefits make you consider installing one, it's essential to budget your project per up-to-date prices.

So how much does rolled roofing cost? In the US, homeowners pay an average of $3.000 - $12.500 for such a roofing project, with a common bill of $8.800. So your minimum budget might be as little as $1.500, but with top-quality materials, additional roof protection costs, and higher labor rates, you could pay around $17.500. 

The average rolled roofing cost per sq. ft.

Each square foot of roll roofing installed can cost anywhere from $2.50 to $6. But if you count separately, the price can be $0.50 - $1.50 for materials only, while the contractor can charge you $1.50 - $4.50 per square foot for mounting them on the roof.

The cost of rolled roofing by roof size

When making a final quote, a professional contractor always focuses on how many materials to purchase and what work scope your project requires. It all depends mainly on the size of the roof. Knowing its approximate square footage and the $2.50 - $6 cost per square foot, you can get a rough estimate of your planned project.

The cost of roll roofing by type

The rolled roofing types listed below differ mainly in service life, performance, and durability, which explains the wide range of prices. You can study and compare them yourself. But before making the final choice, it is better to consult an experienced roofer, as they know which type performs best in your local climate and require the least investment in repairs.

Saturated felt roll roofing

This type is one of the most budget-friendly on this list, costing $1.50 - $5.00 per square foot. Still, saturated roofing protects the underlying structure well, as its organic felt base is securely covered with asphalt, improving its waterproofing properties.

Mineral surfaced roll roofing

Mineral granules covering each roll make the roof resistant to wind, hail, and fire. Therefore, mineral-surfaced roll roofing is an excellent solution if you live in an area with harsh weather conditions. This type costs $3.50 - $5.50 per square foot.

Bitumen-membrane roofing

This rugged-yet-flexible membrane is widely used in both industrial and residential projects. It is made of asphalt and reinforced with fiberglass, which makes it very resistant to water penetration. Due to its flexibility, it adapts well to structural movements and therefore is less prone to cracking. The fiberglass & asphalt roll roofing price ranges from $3.50 to $6.50 per square foot, but this type is one of the most reliable and durable.

Rubber-membrane (EPDM) membrane

The main advantage of EPDM rolled roofing is its 20-year service life. Plus, you don't have to worry about maintenance. Finally, if you are environmentally conscious, recyclable EPDM is a suitable roofing option. Its price per square foot varies from $3 to $8.

Thermoplastic olefin (TPO) membrane

TPO rolled roofing is resistant to ozone, chemical exposure, and UV rays, which allows it to maintain its appearance and performance for a long time. Made mostly in light colors, it repels heat and reflects the sun's rays, keeping your home cool even in hot climates. When opting for this type, expect to pay $3 to $6 per square foot.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane

With a wide range of finishes and colors, PVC membrane is suitable for different building styles and designs. But the most important thing is that it allows you to save up to 30% on your energy bills thanks to its reflective properties. Yes, it costs $6 - $9 per square foot, the highest on this list. But it could pay off in the future.

The labor cost to install roll roofing

Rolling out and then gluing/nailing the rolls may seem simple. Therefore some homeowners resort to do-it-yourself installation. But you must consider that a thorough surface preparation precedes material mounting. If the surface is not smooth and even, the material will hardly stick properly. As a result, you may experience leaks. Besides, DIY installation requires additional costs for special tools and time to master them. In contrast, professionals have everything to start the installation without delay. Plus, they are well acquainted with and follow your municipality's building codes.

Meanwhile, installing rolled roofing costs $1.50 - $4.50 per square foot. This price is quite reasonable considering all the above factors. With MyHomeQuote, you can find local contractors in a matter of minutes, get quotes for free, and hire the professional whose rates best fit your budget.

Other factors boosting the rolled roofing cost

It is tough to consider all possible costs in the initial budgeting. For example, the hired contractor may point out specific problems on your roof that require investment, or you may want to protect and secure your roof further, which also adds to the final cost. In any case, you should budget an additional $150 - $2.000 so that unexpected expenses do not slow down roofing work in the future.

• Getting permits. If your municipality requires permits, expect to pay $150 and $500. But in this way, you guarantee that roofing works follow local building codes and avoid sanctions and fines in the future.
• Removing the current roof. This procedure is unavoidable if old material is severely damaged, adding a new layer violates local building codes, or the old and new materials are incompatible. Regardless of the reason, this service costs $1 to $2 per square foot.
• Vents installation. Excessive heat build-up can damage the material and shorten the already limited service life of rolled roofing. To minimize this risk, you can install vents for $200 - $700.
• Underlayment replacement. This optional service costs only $0.10 to $0.80 per square foot. But if your roof's base layer leaks in the future, the underlayment will protect the roofing structure. Therefore, its replacement when installing roll roofing is worth it.
• Roof sealing. Energy saving, noise reduction, and water protection are just some of the critical sealing features. Therefore, many homeowners consider its $500-$2.000 price a good investment in their future comfort.

Rolled roofing: Advantages and downsides

Only you can decide which roofing suits you best. For example, some homeowners seek low prices, while others value durability. Therefore, before installing rolled roofing, you should study its advantages and downsides to understand which features are paramount to you and which do not matter.

Advantages

• Budget-friendly option. If you don’t want to invest a lot in a project for some reason or are on a budget, this type of roof is a great solution. It can cost up to two times less than other alternatives.
• Not-painstaking installation. Its process is mainly reduced to rolling and nailing/gluing rolls. It rarely takes more than one day, requires no special equipment or effort, and therefore costs less than other roofs.
• Hassle-free transportation. Since each roll weighs between 75 and 100 pounds, you can easily haul them from your local store to the site in a car and even carry them up to the roof yourself. Therefore, you save on heavy machinery, which is often necessary for delivering and lifting heavy materials.

Downsides

• Limited lifetime and warranty. The low cost of rolled roofing goes hand in hand with its short life span of less than 20 years. Because of this, manufacturers rarely offer appealing warranties after purchase. 
• Mediocre appearance. Due to the limited choice of colors and styles, rolled roofing is not a universal design solution. But even if it suits your home, it is unlikely to enhance its aesthetic appeal.
• Low resale value. This roofing will definitely not be a price-up factor when selling a home. At least, buyers may not like its exterior, and at the most, they will understand that such a roof will require investment in repair or replacement soon.