How Much Does a Copper Roof Cost?

Average Copper Roof Cost

This copper roofing cost table assumes a 2,000-square-foot roof. In general, you will pay $15 to $35 per square foot for a new copper roof.

Copper Roof Cost per Square Foot

How much is copper roofing? In general, budget $15 to $35 per square foot. That copper roof cost per square foot consists of:

• Material prices: $10–$25 per square foot

• Labor rates: $5–$10 per square foot

However, the total cost to install a new copper roof can vary with the quality of copper (and local prices), local labor rates, and the format in which the copper is sold: shingles, tiles, panels, or sheets or rolls.

Copper Shingles

Copper shingles are the most affordable format for a copper roof. The shingles themselves run between $10 and $15 per square foot, with thicker, heavier shingles on the higher end of that cost range. 

Installation is straightforward for experienced roofers. That means you can likely expect labor to be on the lower end, but still budget between $15 and $25 per square foot for materials and installation combined.

While it stands up to severe weather, copper is prone to expanding and contracting as the weather changes. This may cause the shingle fasteners to loosen, requiring repair. The price for metal roof repairs ranges from $650 to $2,000.

Copper Tiles

Copper tiles range from $15 to $20 for materials alone; decorative tiles, like copper tiles with scalloped edges, will be on the higher end of that range. Fully installed, copper tile roofs cost between $20 and $25 per square foot. Though copper tiles are more expensive than copper shingles, they tend to last longer.

Copper Panels

The price of copper panels falls between $17 and $21 per square foot; fully installed, that’s $22 to $30 per square foot. Panels are typically sold in squares of 100 square feet for a typical cost of $1,700 to $2,000. This cost varies depending on the type of panel seam: standing, flat, or diamond.

Standing Seam

Standing seams are the most common type of copper roof panel. The average standing seam copper roofing cost ranges from $1,700 to $2,000 per square. These roofs contain single raised seams between each panel; each square (or even rectangle) can be installed vertically or horizontally.

Flat Seam

Flat seam copper roofs also cost $1,700 to $2,000 per square (or $17 to $20 per square foot). Each panel lies flat against the roof; an overlapping seam allows the panels to be flush with one another.

Diamond Panel

Diamond panels are more expensive, from $18 to $21 per square foot. Diamond panels are more decorative and difficult to install, so expect labor to be on the higher end, up to $10 per square foot.

Copper Sheets or Rolls

Expect to pay between $20 to $25 per square foot for a copper roll or sheet. Using the roll of copper, the roof installer can form the copper to your roof on site. This installation method is more labor-intensive, so expect to pay on the higher end of the labor cost range—up to $35 per square foot, installed.

Copper Roof Costs by Size

Your roof’s size is one of the biggest factors in calculating your total copper roofing cost. The table below shows average copper roofing prices for various roof sizes using an average $25 cost per square foot, including materials and labor.

Copper Roof Cost Factors

The type of copper and size of the roof are two of the largest copper roof cost factors, but other variables can impact the final price of a metal roof installation, including the time of year, the pitch or curve of the roof, and local labor rates.

Pitch or Curve

The slope of a roof affects the project's price in a couple of ways:

• A surface too steep to walk on requires extra equipment for laborers to safely complete the job.

• The pitch may affect how much underlayment is necessary. Underlayment does well in severe weather, but snow may be slow to melt on a roof with a low slope. Your contractor may recommend two layers of underlayment to better protect against any possible moisture damage.

Roof Replacement Condition

The cost of a new roof includes more than just labor and materials for the new roof; you’ve also got to remove and dispose of the old roof. Removing a roof costs about $100 to $150 per 100 square feet. The cost of renting a dumpster runs homeowners about $400 for a week. That may not be necessary as some companies will bring their own.

Homeowners unsure about whether they want to replace their roof should consider an inspection to determine the condition of their current roof. The price of hiring a roof inspector usually ranges from $125 to $325.

You might need a permit to replace your current roof. Getting a building permit costs between $250 and $500 for a roof.

Time of Year

The best time of year to install a new roof—the late summer and fall months—is also the most expensive time. Roofers prefer these months because the rainy season is over, and the temperatures have started to cool.

Homeowners who live in places where it snows will want a complete installation before winter hits. A home with an aging roof might not hold heat well. A new one could help lower heating bills.

Homeowners who want the snowfall to melt faster can put in a heating cable. The price of installing a heating cable may be as little as $475 or as much as $1,375. Consult a professional with concerns about roofs sustaining damage during winter.

Sealing or Painting Your Copper Roof

The average price to seal a roof is $1,275. The labor of sealing a metal roof is about $3 per square foot. The average cost of painting a metal roof is $2,400.

Seal a copper roof to maintain the shiny, rose-gold color. Don’t apply a sealant if you’re looking forward to the aged, blue-green appearance.

These costs (sealing and painting) are totally optional: Homeowners don’t need to coat or paint copper because it generally doesn’t corrode as it weathers.

Obstructions

The cost of installing roofing around obstructions varies. It depends on the contractor and how much cutting the material requires. Labor costs of $5 to $10 per square foot include the equipment a contractor may need to cut through the material.

Window or Dormer Roof 

Homeowners who don’t want to spend big bucks on a roof may consider only adding copper to small areas. Copper awnings for bay windows are between $1,500 and $7,500. Installing a bay window costs an average of $2,350.

Dormers or smaller awnings are lighter on the wallet, ranging from $175 to $1,000.

Roofing Accents

Because copper can be so expensive (from $10 to $25 per square foot), some homeowners opt for copper roof accents instead of an entire copper roof. For example, copper gutters cost around $5,800 for the average installation, and smaller accents fetch even lower prices:

• Cupolas: $665–$5,200

• Weathervanes: $100–$1,240

• Vents: $540–$1,680

• Chimney caps: $1,075–$1,840

• Finials: $80–$1,440

• Copper flashing: $8 per linear foot

But a caveat: “One area where homeowners don’t want to compromise is flashing,” says Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor Bob Tschudi. “You don’t want to have a beautiful copper roof framed with aluminum flashing. It just doesn’t look good.”

Labor

Labor for copper roof installation costs between $5 and $10 per square foot, depending on the type of installation. For example, copper rolls or sheets are more challenging to install and will increase the labor costs. Other factors, like the height of the roof, the season, and the geographic location, can also impact overall labor rates.

Pros and Cons of a Copper Roof

Copper roofs are expensive, but they are also among the longest-lasting roofing materials. They make the most sense for homeowners who intend to live in a house for several decades. That said, here are some copper roofing pros and cons to consider:

DIY vs. Hiring a Roofer

Installing a roof isn’t a project for weekend warriors. It takes time and care. Aside from possibly needing permits or licensing to install, it’s a process that requires special skills and knowledge. Find a local metal roof repair service to complete the project because installing and maintaining a roof carries more safety concerns than smaller DIY home projects.

FAQs

How long do copper roofs last?

Copper roofs can last 100 years or more when properly maintained. While copper roof maintenance is minimal (you don’t even need to seal it), you can regularly rinse the copper roof with clean water to protect it from acidic moisture that could cause corrosion. If you are uncomfortable cleaning your roof, hire a local roof cleaning company to handle this task.

What’s the best climate for copper roofs?

Copper roofing is ideal in moist climates like Florida because it resists fungus and algae. Many homeowners also like the green patina that copper roofs take on as they age. The patination process occurs fastest in marine climates, about seven to 10 years. Air pollution also accelerates patination. The process takes the longest in arid environments.

How much does it cost to repair or clean copper roofing?

Maintaining copper roofs is not expensive at all; owning a house with a copper roof requires very little cleaning, maintenance, and repair work. That said, cleaning a roof costs homeowners an average of $450. The typical price range for sealing a roof is $450 to $2,100, though this is optional with copper roofs. Metal roof repair costs homeowners around $1,700 on average.

Can you add heating cables or solar panels on top?

You can install both heating cables and solar panels on top of a copper roof. Heating cables cost between $475 and $1,375, while solar panel prices range between $175 and $375, with the average solar panel installation cost coming in at $25,800. Both options have ongoing maintenance costs to consider as well.

Why did my copper roof turn green?

Exposing copper to the elements results in chemical reactions. These produce a rustic, green patina that protects the metal underneath. This process doesn’t happen overnight, however: The natural patina might start to appear within five to seven years in coastal regions or 10 to 14 years in dryer regions. If you would prefer to retain the copper’s original color, you can seal the roof to prevent the chemical reaction.

Can I paint my copper roof?

Though most homeowners get copper roofs because they like the rustic charm of the copper color and/or the eventual green patina, it is possible to paint your copper roof—it’s just not a common task and might reduce the ROI of the original copper roof cost. Like sealant, paint will delay the chemical reaction that turns copper roofs green.

How do you maintain a copper roof?

Copper roofs are famously easy to maintain. If you want the copper to eventually turn green, you don’t need to seal the roof regularly. However, occasionally cleaning the copper roof with water can help prevent corrosion from any acidic moisture. If you aren’t comfortable working on top of your roof, it’s a good idea to hire a professional roof cleaning company to do this for you.