How Much Does Asphalt Shingle Roofing Cost?

Reviewed by Joe Roberts remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

The cost of new asphalt shingle roofing

On average, installing a new asphalt shingle roof costs roughly $6,842, though homeowners commonly pay anywhere from $4,926 to $10,593. This range is so wide because there are several factors to account for in roof installation. The size and pitch of your roof, the type of shingles you get, and whether you’re installing shingles on a new roof or replacing existing roofing will all impact your total costs for this project. 

All of this variability makes it virtually impossible to pinpoint a price before you meet with a roofing contractor who can inspect your roof. However, it is possible to understand the different factors ahead of time and get a rough idea of what you should expect to pay.

Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through the pricing factors to help you develop a ballpark cost estimate for your roofing project. We’ll also cover the benefits of different shingle types, give you some money-saving tips, and point out a few ways to pay the project costs without a huge budget. 

Factors that affect asphalt shingle roofing costs

The size of your roof

The square footage of your roof is the primary determiner of the total labor and material costs for this project. On average, installing asphalt shingles on a new roof costs roughly $4 per square foot. The average roof in the U.S. measures 1,700 square feet, which is why the national average price for this project shakes out to $6,842.

However, if your roof is larger or smaller than most others, your price could vary drastically from this average. To give you an idea of what installing asphalt shingles on your roof might cost, here’s a table that breaks down the typical price ranges for different roof sizes.

Asphalt shingle roofing prices by roof size

To accurately estimate the size of your own roof, multiply your own roof's square footage by $4. If you’re unsure how large your roof is, use our guide on measuring your roof to find out.

Be aware, though, that since $4 is just the rough average price per square foot to install asphalt shingles, you could end up paying more or less than whatever estimate you calculate. As we said earlier, the only way to know exactly how much you’ll pay for a new asphalt shingle roof is to get a professional estimate from a roofing contractor assessing your roof.

If you have to tear off your old roofing

If you have an older home, you’ll probably have to remove old roofing before you can install your asphalt shingles. Unfortunately, this step increases the labor costs for this project compared to those for homeowners installing shingles on entirely new constructions. On average, the removal of old roofing costs around $74 per square (100 square feet).

So, if you’re replacing an old roof, you’ll need to add $74 per 100 square feet of your roof to the project costs. For example, if your roof measures 1,700 square feet, you will likely pay around $1,258 to remove your old roofing.

That said, you don’t always have to remove your old roofing materials before you install new asphalt shingles. If your old roof is made from 3-tab asphalt shingles, you can sometimes do what roofers call a “reroof.” When you reroof, your contractor installs new shingles directly on top of the old shingles and underlayment, reinforcing the roof without requiring costly removal.

Unfortunately, reroofing can usually only be done once, so if you’ve reroofed before, it won’t be an option for you this time. Additionally, it can usually only be done on top of 3-tab asphalt shingles, so if you currently have incompatible shingles, wood shakes, natural slate, or metal roofing, you should budget for removal.

If you’re unsure if your current roof is eligible for a reroof, ask your contractor about it during your initial consultation.

The type of shingles you get

All asphalt shingles are made from the same basic components: fiberglass matting for support, asphalt coating for waterproof sealant, and ceramic granules for impact resistance and UV protection. This construction is durable and weather-resistant, giving asphalt shingles lifespans of 20 years or longer. 

Paired with the relative affordability of asphalt shingles, their durability makes them one of the best roofing materials for homeowners on a budget. They aren’t all equally stylish or reliable, though. You can choose from three different types of asphalt shingles; each provides unique benefits and comes at a different price point. 

Type one: 3-tab shingles

3-tab asphalt shingles are crafted in long strips with three hanging tabs to give each individual piece the look of three shingles laid side-by-side. This design earns them their other name, “strip shingles.” Their length makes 3-tab shingles a little quicker and easier to install than other types of shingles. They’re also typically the most affordable option.

The downside is that 3-tab shingles tend to be less durable than more deluxe models, and their warranties usually extend no longer than 30 years, so you have to replace them more frequently. The good news is that you can often reroof over 3-tab shingles, so you may not need to worry about removal each time you reshingle your roof. 

Type two: architectural shingles

For greater curb appeal, architectural asphalt shingles feature tabs with varying lengths and thicknesses to give a roof a more dramatic look than basic 3-tab shingles provide. They also come in more styles and colors than 3-tab shingles do. In fact, some architectural shingles can make your roof look like a more deluxe type of roof, such as an expensive cedar shake or slate roof. 

In addition to their more stylish appearance, architectural shingles are thicker and more durable than 3-tab shingles, and their warranties sometimes last up to 40 years. All this quality isn’t cheap, though, and architectural shingles come with higher costs than 3-tab models. 

Type three: premium shingles

Premium asphalt shingles are the top of the line in terms of both longevity and style. Many come with deluxe features like class-A fire ratings, copper lining for algae resistance, exceptional insulation for greater energy efficiency, and enhanced sealant to prevent them from blowing off your roof deck. Some premium shingles even come with limited lifetime warranties. 

On top of all this, many premium shingles also feature more shapely profiles and color variety than even architectural shingles offer. This makes them the best option for anyone who wants the appearance of a high-end roof without the hefty price tag. 

That said, the exceptional quality of premium shingles doesn’t come cheap. While they’re more affordable than roofing options like copper, slate, or zinc, they’re far and away the most expensive type of asphalt shingle. 

The design and pitch of your roof

In addition to its size, the accessibility of your roof will also factor into the price you’ll pay for asphalt shingle installation. This means that you’ll need to account for the pitch and design of your roof when you’re trying to determine how much you’re likely to spend on this project. 

Roof pitch—sometimes called roof slope—is a term used to describe how steep your roof’s incline is. The more steeply your roof slopes upward, the harder it is to walk and work on, so installation crews need more training and safety gear to install shingles on steep roofs. It also takes longer to work on a steep roof than on a relatively flat one. This means that the steeper your roof’s pitch, the more you should expect to pay. 

If you’re not sure how steep the pitch of your roof is, you can use our guide to calculate it.

Similarly, complex roofing elements like skylights and dormers also contribute to roofing prices since they must be carefully worked around, often requiring that shingles be cut specifically to fit their shapes. This will increase the time your crew will spend working on your roof, resulting in more labor costs. 

If your roof is steeper and includes more complex design features than most other roofs, you’ll probably pay more than average to install your asphalt shingles. 

Asphalt shingle roof pricing tiers

The budget option

Whether you’re replacing an old roof or building an entirely new one, going with 3-tab asphalt shingles will be one of your cheapest options. 3-tab shingles aren’t as damage-resistant or stylish as architectural or premium models, and you’ll need to replace them sooner as well, but they’ll get the job done for significantly cheaper. 

Only PVC roofing can be more affordable than 3-tab asphalt shingles, though PVC tiles aren’t as impact- or temperature-resistant. The combined affordability and relative resilience of 3-tab shingles make them hands down the best roofing for homeowners with shoestring budgets.

Also, if you’re replacing old roofing, we suggest asking your contractors about reroofing—installing new shingles on top of old ones—if your existing roof is made with 3-tab shingles. This will save you money on the removal costs of the old roofing materials.

While installing your shingles yourself can save labor costs (typically around $1 per square foot), we don’t recommend going DIY on this project. Shingle installation is a taxing and dangerous job, and since your roof is such an essential part of your home’s defense, improper installation can have disastrous results. To make matters worse, many shingle warranties are only valid if certified professionals installed the shingles, so DIY installation can void your warranty.

All the risks and downsides associated with DIY installation make it best to pay the pros to install your new roofing for you. If money is too tight for professional installation, check out our list of ways to finance your new asphalt shingles. It’s usually better to take out a small loan than to roll the dice on DIY installation.

The mid-range option

If you can afford better shingles for your roof, you should. For every dollar you spend to get architectural shingles instead of 3-tab models, you’ll get extra value in terms of durability and curb appeal, so opt for the best architectural shingles you can afford.

Here’s a tip for the budget-conscious: you can usually save some money on your shingles by hiring contractors during the off-season of autumn and spring. 

Of course, if you need to keep costs as low as possible, you probably shouldn’t get too attached to high-end imitation slate or cedar shingles. You can sometimes find installers who’ll cut you a good deal on these roofing materials, but if you don’t have bundles of money to throw at this project, they could very well fall out of your price range.

The good news is that investing in expensive materials can save you money in the long run since they’ll last longer, and you won’t have to pay to replace them as often. This gives you a good, practical excuse to splurge a little. 

The high-end option

If you want the best asphalt shingles available and have plenty of room in your home improvement budget this year, we recommend getting premium asphalt shingles. These shingles have deluxe features like class-A fire ratings, storm-proof sealant, and bacteria resistance. While you’re at it, get them in a style and color you love, whether that calls for a pattern in shades of red to match your home’s exterior, an imitation slate design, or something unique to your tastes.

If you’re replacing old roofing materials, this is also a good opportunity to get your roof’s flashings, decking, gutters, and rafters inspected. If the inspection turns up anything concerning, you should hire your contractors to make the necessary repairs and replacements while they’re updating your shingles. 

Handling these roof repairs now could raise your project costs by several thousand dollars, but it will ensure your whole roof lasts at least as long as your fancy new shingles do.

How to pay for your asphalt shingles

While they’re one of the most affordable roofing materials, asphalt shingles still cost thousands of dollars to install and replace. This can put even low-end options like 3-tab shingles out of many homeowners’ budgets. Luckily, there are several ways to pay for asphalt shingle installation without going broke. 

• Make a warranty claim. If your roof’s current materials have given out before they’re supposed to, you may be able to replace them with a warranty claim. Look over the paperwork for your roof to see if the materials are under warranty, either through the installer or the manufacturer. Not all damages are covered under many warranties, and if your roof is pretty old, the warranty period may be over, but it’s definitely worth checking. You may be able to get a significant portion of your replacement or repair costs covered.
• Finance through your contractors. Many roofing contractors offer their customers financing options, allowing them to work out a payment plan. The exact terms and conditions of installer financing will depend on your situation and which company you hire, but it could be your best option. During your roof assessment, ask your contractor about their financing. Then, compare their interest rate and payback period to the other options on this list to decide which one will work best for you. 
• Take out a personal loan. Depending on your credit score, a personal loan might have the steepest interest rate of your financing options. However, personal loans are less risky than home equity loans or home equity lines of credit for reasons we’ll discuss shortly. Because of this, it’s definitely worth your time to investigate the personal loans offered by a few different lenders in your area, especially if you have good credit.
• Take out a home equity loan. A home equity loan is similar to a personal loan in that the lender gives you money that you have to pay back with interest. These loans are riskier because they usually use your home as collateral. This means that if you fail to pay back your loan according to the terms of your contract, the lender could take your home from you. The plus side is that these loans usually have much lower interest rates than personal loans because they’re based on how much equity you have in your home, so they’re usually a little easier to pay back.
• Open a HELOC. A home equity line of credit (or HELOC) is like a credit card that functions similarly to a home equity loan. It allows you to borrow repeatedly as long as you stay on top of the payment schedule, and it bases your interest rate and borrowable amount on your equity in your home. However, HELOCs also use your home as collateral for your loan, so you could lose your home if you finance this way and can’t pay your debt.

Other factors to consider

HOA approval

When you change anything about the exterior of your home, you should request your HOA’s approval for the project beforehand. Installing asphalt shingles on your roof is no exception. Failing to get HOA permission for this project could lead to a confrontation with the association, resulting in fines and mandatory reversals of the changes which you’ll have to pay for.

To learn how to get your HOA’s approval ahead of time, check out our guide to renovating with an HOA. 

Pulling permits

As with any sizable home improvement project, installing asphalt shingles requires that you pull the necessary permits and adhere to local building codes. Luckily, your contractor will handle all of this red tape for you, but you’ll still have to pay for it. Pulling the necessary roofing permits usually costs less than $500, though it can cost more in some cases.

Maintaining your new shingles

Once your new shingles are installed, you need to keep them properly maintained to ensure they last as long as possible. Here are a few routine maintenance tasks that will keep your shingles in shipshape for decades:

• Routinely inspect your shingles, especially after big storms. Keep an eye out for cracks, discoloration, moss, and missing shingles. 
• Stay on top of small repairs as necessary. Seemingly tiny issues like split shingles or insect damage can snowball into much bigger problems if unremedied, so you should nip even minimal damage in the bud as soon as you notice it. 
• Keep your gutters clean to prevent water from pooling on your shingles. Asphalt is a very moisture-resistant roofing material, but when your gutters clog, water can pool on top of the shingles and slowly seep between them, damaging your underlayment and decking.
• Trim nearby branches. Falling branches can do a number on even the toughest shingles, so keeping the trees that overshadow your house nice and trim will prevent significant damage. 
• Keep every document related to your shingles in your records. When you get your shingles installed, tuck each document your contractors give you into a safe place. Similarly, if you ever get your shingles professionally inspected or repaired, you should also hold on to all the documentation and keep a log of dates and expenses. This can help you make warranty or insurance claims for your shingles later. 

How much an asphalt shingle roof can cost

Even if you have a small roof and opt for 3-tab asphalt shingles, you should expect to pay several thousand dollars to get your roof shingled. And if you want high-end architectural or premium asphalt shingles for a large roof, you could pay well over $20,000 for this project. 

You’ll only know exactly what you’ll pay to install asphalt shingles after meeting with a contractor, though. Now that you know what this project can end up costing and why it can be so expensive, it’s time to schedule a professional assessment so you can get an accurate estimate.