How Much Does a Copper Roof Cost in 2025?
Copper roof installation costs an average of $55,000
Installing a copper roof costs an average of $55,000, with most homeowners spending between $45,000 and $90,000.
Fully installed copper roofs cost $15 to $30 per square foot.
Roof size, style, and necessary repairs affect the total cost.
Copper roofs are highly durable, lasting over 100 years.
Professional installation ensures a successful and safe copper roof project.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Installing a copper roof costs an average of $55,000, with most projects totaling between $45,000 and $90,000. Costs range from as low as $25,500 to as high as $135,000, depending on factors like roof size, style, and necessary repairs. Fully installed copper roofs cost between $15 and $30 per square foot.
Copper roofing is an eye-catching option that's more expensive than other materials but offers numerous advantages. It's highly durable—lasting over 100 years—and environmentally friendly. Plus, homeowners often recoup about 85% of their investment when they sell their homes. Due to the complexity of the work, it's crucial to hire a professional roofer to ensure safety and a high-quality installation.
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.
Roof Size
The size of your roof significantly impacts your total copper roofing cost. Copper roofs cost between $15 and $30 per square foot for materials and labor. The table below shows average prices for various roof sizes at an estimated $25 per square foot installed.
Keep in mind that total costs can vary based on factors like copper quality, local labor rates, and the format—shingles, tiles, panels, or sheets—in which the copper is sold.
| Roof Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $25,000 |
| 1,500 | $37,500 |
| 2,000 | $50,000 |
| 2,500 | $62,500 |
| 3,000 | $75,000 |
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 labor and materials; you also need to remove and dispose of the old roof. Removing a roof costs about $1,000 to $5,000.
Homeowners who are unsure whether they want to replace their roof should consider an inspection to determine its condition. The cost of hiring a roof inspector usually ranges from $125 to $360.
Permits
To replace your current roof, you’ll need a permit. A building permit costs between $100 and $1,400.
Time of Year
Installing a new roof during late summer and fall is popular due to favorable weather, but it can also be more expensive because of high demand. If you live in an area with snowfall, it's wise to complete installation before winter to improve heat retention and potentially lower heating bills.
For faster snow melt, consider installing a heating cable, which costs between $475 and $1,375. Consult a professional roofer if you have concerns about winter roof damage.
Maintenance and Repairs
Maintaining a copper roof is relatively easy and low-cost. If you want to keep the shiny, rose-gold color, you can seal the roof at an average cost of $3 per square foot. However, sealing is optional since copper doesn't corrode as it weathers, and many homeowners appreciate the blue-green patina that develops over time.
Copper roofs withstand severe weather but can expand and contract with temperature changes, which may loosen shingle fasteners and require repairs. On average, copper roof repairs cost about $6,500.
Labor
Labor for copper roof installation costs between $11,000 and $16,500, depending on the type of installation. For example, copper rolls or sheets are more challenging to install, increasing labor costs. Other factors, like the height of the roof, the season, and the geographic location, can also impact overall labor rates.
Cost by Copper Roof Type
There are a variety of copper roofing types, each with its own associated costs. Here’s a look at the breakdown of copper roof costs by type.
| Roof Type | Average Cost (per Sq. Ft., Installed) |
|---|---|
| Shingles | $15–$25 |
| Tiles | $20–$25 |
| Diamond panels | $28–$30 |
| Flat seam copper | $22–$30 |
| Standing seam copper | $22–$30 |
| Sheets or rolls | $25–$30 |
Copper Shingles
Copper shingles are the most affordable option for a copper roof, costing between $15 and $25 per square foot installed. Installation is straightforward for experienced roofers, which can help keep labor costs lower.
Copper Tiles
Copper tiles cost between $20 and $25 per square foot installed. Though copper tiles are more expensive than copper shingles, they tend to last longer.
Copper Panels
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 $22 to $30 per square foot (fully installed). 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 $22 to $30 per square foot (fully installed). 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 $28 to $30 per square foot (fully installed). 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 $25 and $30 per square foot for copper rolls (fully installed) as the installer forms the copper to your roof on-site. This installation method is more labor-intensive, so expect to pay at the higher end of the labor cost range.
DIY vs. Hiring a Copper Roof Professional
Installing a copper roof is a complex task that requires specialized skills and knowledge. Due to safety concerns and the need for proper permits and licensing, it's crucial to hire a professional roofer for this project. Installation by a licensed roofing professional ensures quality workmanship and longevity for your investment.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Copper roofs can last 100 years or more with proper maintenance. Maintenance is minimal—you don't need to seal it—and you can rinse the roof with clean water occasionally to protect it from acidic moisture. To ensure safety, hire a local roof cleaning professional to maintain your copper roof and keep it lasting well into the future.
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 $460. The typical price range for sealing a roof is $3 per square foot, though this is optional with copper roofs. Keep in mind that repairs on a copper roof can be significant; on average, a copper roof repair costs about $6,500.
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 drier regions. If you would prefer to retain the copper’s original color, you can seal the roof to prevent a chemical reaction.
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.
- Roofing Installation & Roof Repair
- Traditional Tile Roofing - Install or Replace
- Flat, Foam, or Single Ply Roofing - Install or Replace
- Natural Slate Roofing - Install or Replace
- Asphalt Shingle Roofing - Install or Replace
- Wood Shake or Composite Roofing - Repair
- Heating Cable for Roof - Install
- Natural Slate Roofing - Repair
- Sealant for Roof - Apply
- Wood Shake or Composite Roofing - Install or Replace
- Flat, Foam or Single Ply Roofing - Repair
- Traditional Tile Roofing - Repair
- Asphalt Shingle Roofing - Repair
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