What Is the Cheapest Roofing Material?

3-tab asphalt shingles. They cost $3.50 to $6.00 per square foot installed. For a typical 2,000 sq ft roof, that is $7,000 to $12,000 total.[1]

But "cheapest" depends on how you think about it. Cheapest upfront? Cheapest over 30 years? Cheapest if you are selling in two years? The answer changes. I will break down every material by price and help you figure out which one actually saves you the most money.

All Roofing Materials Ranked by Price (2026)

These are installed costs. That means materials plus labor. Prices are per square foot for a standard residential job.[1]

Look at the "Cost Per Year" column. That is where the real story is. The cheapest material per year of service is not the cheapest material upfront.

Cheapest Upfront vs. Cheapest Over 50 Years

Let me run the math on a 2,000 sq ft roof over 50 years. This includes replacement costs when the material wears out.[1]

3-Tab Shingles (Cheapest Upfront)

• First install: $9,000 (midpoint)
• Replacement at year 18: $11,000 (prices rise over time)
• Replacement at year 36: $13,000
• 50-year total: ~$33,000

Standing Seam Metal (Cheapest Long-Term)

• First install: $19,000 (midpoint)
• No replacement needed for 40-70 years
• 50-year total: ~$19,000

Metal costs twice as much on day one. But over 50 years, you save roughly $14,000. That is why I tell homeowners: if you can afford metal and plan to stay in your home, metal is the better deal.[2]

Of course, not everyone has $19,000. If your budget is tight, 3-tab or architectural shingles protect your home just fine. A roof you can afford today is better than a roof you cannot.

Cheap Materials to Avoid on Your Home

Not every cheap option is a good option. Some materials are cheap because they are not meant for houses.

Rolled Roofing

Rolled roofing costs $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot. It comes in big rolls and gets nailed flat to the decking. It is the cheapest material you can buy.

The problem? It only lasts 5 to 10 years. It looks terrible. It has almost no wind resistance. It is meant for sheds, detached garages, and low-slope utility buildings. Putting it on your house will hurt your home value and leave you replacing it again in a few years.[3]

Corrugated Metal Panels

The wavy metal sheets you see on barns and pole buildings. They cost $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot. They work fine on agricultural buildings. On a house, they look out of place, are loud in the rain, and the exposed fasteners are a maintenance headache. The screws loosen over time, and every loose screw is a potential leak.[3]

If you want metal on your home, spend the extra money for standing seam panels. The hidden fastener system is worth every dollar.

When Cheap Is Fine and When It Is Not

Cheap Is Fine When:

• You are selling within 2-3 years. A new 3-tab roof makes your home sellable without overspending. Buyers just want to know the roof is new.
• It is a rental property. 3-tab shingles protect the building. Tenants do not care if the roof is architectural or basic.
• Your budget is genuinely tight. A $9,000 shingle roof protects your home just fine. Do not go into debt for a premium material you do not need.
• It is a small structure. Detached garage, workshop, shed. Use whatever is cheapest.

Cheap Is a Bad Idea When:

• You plan to stay 20+ years. You will pay for two or three shingle roofs in the time one metal roof would last.
• You are in a high-wind or hail zone. Cheap shingles blow off easier and crack under hail. Your insurance may not cover the damage if you chose substandard materials.
• Your roof is complex. Multiple valleys, dormers, and pitch changes. Labor is the biggest cost on complex roofs. If you are paying for all that labor anyway, upgrade the material.
• You are financing the roof. If you are spreading the cost over 10-15 years through a loan, the monthly difference between shingles and metal is small. Pay a little more per month and get a roof that outlasts the loan.

Frequently Asked Questions