The short answer
Published 2026 Arkansas prices for a metal roof on a 1,700 square foot roof, tear-off included, run from $11,985 for basic exposed-fastener steel panels to $23,120 for painted standing seam steel, according to Roof Observations. That's about 1.3 to 2.6 times the price of an architectural shingle roof the same size.
How much does a metal roof cost in Arkansas in 2026?
Roof Observations' Arkansas roof cost guide prices metal roofs by the square foot of roof, with tearing off the old roof included. These are its published 2026 figures for a 1,700 square foot roof:
| Metal roof | Per square foot | 1,700 sq ft roof |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed-fastener steel, basic paint | $7.05 | $11,985 |
| Exposed-fastener steel, PVDF paint | $8.80 | $14,960 |
| Steel metal shingles | $9.00 | $15,300 |
| Standing seam steel, basic paint | $10.90 | $18,530 |
| Standing seam steel, PVDF paint | $13.60 | $23,120 |
| Standing seam aluminum | $14.55 | $24,735 |
Source: Roof Observations, Arkansas roof cost guide, 2026. Published ranges, not a quote.
This Old House's Arkansas guide lands in the same place, at $8.52 per square foot for metal. Nationally, HomeGuide's metal roof cost guide puts metal at $5 to $16 per square foot installed, or $7,500 to $40,000 for most homes. HomeGuide lists galvalume and galvanized steel as the most budget-friendly metals and copper, zinc and stainless steel as the most expensive, which is why steel is the usual choice for a house.
What does a metal roof cost for a 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500 square foot house?
Roof Observations prices by the square foot of roof, and a roof is bigger than the floor under it. HomeGuide's conversion for a single-story house with a 6:12 pitch turns a 1,500 square foot house into about 1,675 square feet of roof. Applying Roof Observations' Arkansas prices to those roof sizes gives:
| House size | Roof size | Exposed-fastener steel ($7.05) | Standing seam steel ($10.90) | Architectural shingles ($5.25) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,675 sq ft | $11,809 | $18,258 | $8,794 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,235 sq ft | $15,757 | $24,362 | $11,734 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 2,795 sq ft | $19,705 | $30,466 | $14,674 |
Sources: Roof Observations, Arkansas roof cost guide (price per square foot, basic paint, tear-off included) and HomeGuide, roof replacement cost (roof size). Published ranges, not a quote.
The shingle column is there for comparison: on a 2,000 square foot house, basic exposed-fastener steel runs about $4,000 more than architectural shingles at these prices, and standing seam about $12,600 more. A two-story house has less roof than a ranch of the same size, and a steeper roof has more, so your own measured roof is what sets the price.
Exposed-fastener vs standing seam: why the price gap?
There are two main kinds of metal roof, and the difference is how the panels are held down.
Exposed-fastener panels
These are the ribbed panels common on houses, shops and barns. Screws with rubber washers go straight through the panel into the roof, so you can see rows of screw heads. HomeGuide puts ribbed and corrugated panels at $5 to $12 per square foot installed. They cost less because the panels are simpler to make and quicker to put on. The tradeoff, HomeGuide notes, is that the metal grows and shrinks with the heat, which works on those screw holes over the years.
Standing seam panels
Standing seam panels lock together at raised seams, and the clips that hold them are hidden under the panels, so there are no screws through the roof surface. HomeGuide puts standing seam at $9 to $16 per square foot installed. In Roof Observations' Arkansas figures, standing seam steel runs $3.85 more per square foot than basic exposed-fastener steel. You're paying for that hidden fastening, and for panels that take more skill and time to install.
Every metal roof in the photos on this page is ribbed exposed-fastener paneling.
What else changes the price of a metal roof?
Two homes with the same size roof can still get metal quotes thousands of dollars apart. These are the main reasons.
The thickness of the metal
Metal is sold by gauge, and a lower number means thicker metal. HomeGuide says most homes get 24 or 26 gauge. It lists 26 gauge at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot for material and 24 gauge, which it recommends for places with severe weather, at $3.00 to $7.00. With the hail Arkansas gets, it's worth asking which one a quote is for.
The paint
In Roof Observations' figures, the PVDF paint finish adds $1.75 per square foot on exposed-fastener steel and $2.70 on standing seam. Ask which finish you're getting and what the paint warranty covers.
Tearing off the old roof
HomeGuide puts removing an existing roof at $1 to $3 per square foot. Metal can sometimes go over one layer of shingles, which saves that cost, but HomeGuide warns it can add too much weight and hide damage underneath that then can't be fixed.
The shape of the roof
Every valley, hip and wall where a roof meets a higher roof needs trim cut and fitted by hand, so a cut-up roof costs more per square foot than a simple one.
Metal roof vs shingles in Arkansas: which costs less over time?
Shingles cost less on the day you pay. Metal usually costs less per year you live under it. HomeGuide compares them like this:
| Roof | Published cost installed | Published lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | $7,500 to $40,000 | 30 to 80+ years |
| Asphalt shingles | $5,700 to $12,000 | 15 to 30 years |
Source: HomeGuide, metal roof cost, national figures.
On Roof Observations' Arkansas numbers for a 1,700 square foot roof, basic exposed-fastener steel costs $3,060 more than architectural shingles, and painted standing seam costs $14,195 more. This Old House's Arkansas guide gives asphalt shingles here 15 to 30 years, and says hot, humid summers and severe weather wear them out faster. HomeGuide says metal roofs in humid climates last 30 to 50 years for corrugated and ribbed panels, and longer for standing seam.
So the answer depends on how long you'll stay. If you plan to be in the house for decades, one metal roof can outlast two shingle roofs. If you're selling in five years, the extra money may not come back to you. Our post on roof replacement costs in Arkansas covers shingle prices in more detail.
What does a metal roof cost on a shop, barn or garage?
Less in total than a house, but often more per square foot. HomeGuide notes that smaller roofs typically cost more per square foot because most contractors have a minimum project fee. Its published ranges:
| Building | Published range, metal installed |
|---|---|
| 10 x 12 foot shed | $600 to $1,900 |
| 1-car garage (280 sq ft) | $1,400 to $3,600 |
| 2-car garage (400 sq ft) | $2,000 to $5,200 |
| 3-car garage (840 sq ft) | $4,200 to $10,900 |
| 40 x 30 foot pole barn or garage | $6,000 to $19,200 |
Sources: HomeGuide, metal roof cost (shed and pole barn) and HomeGuide, roof replacement cost (garages), national figures.
HomeGuide says galvanized or galvalume corrugated panels are the popular budget choice for sheds. If the shop or garage sits next to the house, it can make sense to price both roofs together so they match, especially after a hailstorm that hit both. Ask for each building to be its own line on the quote so you can see what each one costs.
How do metal roofs hold up to hail in Arkansas?
Well, as far as keeping water out goes. A metal panel rarely cracks or loses granules the way a shingle does. But metal can dent, and HomeGuide lists denting of thinner metals among metal's drawbacks. Large hail can leave a metal roof covered in dimples that don't leak at all.
That's where your insurance policy matters. Some homeowners policies carry a cosmetic damage exclusion. Insurance.com's explainer on the exclusion describes it as a provision that lets the insurer deny claims for wind or hail damage that affects how a roof looks but not how it works. On a metal roof, that can mean a dented roof that the policy won't pay to replace.
Before you choose metal, ask your agent two questions: does your policy have a cosmetic damage exclusion for wind and hail, and would a metal roof change your premium? If a policy comes with a cosmetic damage exclusion and a premium credit for it, Insurance.com suggests asking for the specific dollar value of that credit before you sign. If you're weighing hail protection, also read our post on Class 4 impact-rated shingles, the other common choice for hail country.
What should a metal roof quote spell out?
Metal quotes are harder to compare than shingle quotes because there are more choices hiding in one line. Ask for each of these in writing:
- The panel type (ribbed exposed-fastener, or standing seam) and the profile name
- The gauge of the metal, and whether it's steel or aluminum
- The paint finish and the color, and the paint warranty
- Whether the old roof comes off or the panels go over it
- The underlayment under the panels
- Every piece of trim: ridge cap, eave and rake trim, valleys, and the flashing where the roof meets a wall or chimney
- For exposed-fastener roofs, the screws and washers used
- The workmanship warranty, and how long it lasts
Ramos Roofing Plus puts on metal roofs across Fort Smith, Northwest Arkansas, the River Valley and eastern Oklahoma, and backs new roofs with a 5 to 10 year workmanship warranty. Estimates are free. Call or text (479) 652-1424 and we'll measure your roof and go through the options with you.
About Ramos Roofing Plus
Ramos Roofing Plus is a second-generation, family-owned roofing and siding company in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in business since 2000. We put on shingle, metal and TPO roofs and siding across Northwest Arkansas, the Arkansas River Valley and eastern Oklahoma, and back new roofs with a 5 to 10 year workmanship warranty. More about us.