How Much Do Asphalt Roof Shingles Cost?

How Much Do Asphalt Shingles Cost?

As of 2024, the average cost per square foot for asphalt shingles is $1.50 to $5.50 for materials alone. Labor for installing asphalt shingles typically costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot, and if you are replacing an old roof, the cost for demolition costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot. Combining materials, labor, and demolition, you can expect asphalt shingles to cost $3.50 to $9.50 per square foot to install.

For example, to install asphalt shingles on a standard 3,000 square foot roof, you can expect to pay:

• Shingles: $4,500 to $16,500
• Labor: $4,500 to $9,000
• Demolition: $1,500 to $3,000
• Total: $10,500 to $28,500

Asphalt shingles are among the most cost-effective roofing materials available, making them the most popular choice for homeowners. The cost of asphalt shingles can vary depending on the quality, brand, and type (such as 3-tab shingles vs. architectural shingles).

Cost of Asphalt Shingles per Square Foot

The average cost per square foot for asphalt shingles falls anywhere between $1.50 to $9.50, or $150 to $950 per square (per 100 square feet), for the shingle materials alone. More basic asphalt shingles will cost closer to $1.50 per square foot, while luxury asphalt shingles will cost closer to $9.50 per square foot.

Labor and installation typically costs between $1.50 to $4 per square foot. Factors that can impact the cost for labor and installation are the roof’s slope and pitch, the roof’s accessibility, labor intensity required to install the shingles, local labor rates, and seasonality.

If you are removing an old roof prior to installing the new asphalt shingles, your contractor will most likely charge between $0.50 and $1 per square foot for demolition and disposal.

Below you can explore an itemized breakdown of what to expect for asphalt shingle costs by the type of asphalt shingle.

Factors Influencing Asphalt Shingle Costs

The cost to install asphalt shingles on your home can vary by many factors. Below, we cover the top factors that may influence the cost of your asphalt roofing project along with examples.

Type of Asphalt Shingle

The cost difference between 3-tab, architectural, and luxury shingles can be significant. For instance, if a homeowner chooses luxury shingles over 3-tab shingles, the material cost can more than triple, greatly increasing the overall project cost.

Quality and Brand of Materials

Higher-quality shingles from well-regarded manufacturers often carry a higher price tag due to their durability and longer warranties. Choosing a premium brand could increase material costs by 20-50% compared to standard options.

Roof Size and Layout

Larger roofs require more materials and more labor hours, increasing total costs. Additionally, complex roof designs with multiple valleys, hips, and a steep pitch will require more time and materials to shingle correctly, which can raise labor costs by 10-20%.

Geographic Location

Labor and material costs vary significantly across different regions. For example, roofing costs in urban areas like New York City or San Francisco are typically higher than in rural areas due to higher wages and material supply costs.

Local Labor Rates

In regions with a high demand for skilled labor or during peak construction seasons, labor costs can increase significantly. During a local building boom, labor costs might increase by 15-30%.

Accessibility and Roof Pitch

A roof that is difficult to access or has a steep pitch may require additional safety equipment and precautions, increasing labor costs. A steeply pitched roof might increase labor costs by 20-40% compared to a standard pitch roof.

Market Fluctuations in Material Prices

Economic factors such as tariffs on raw materials or fluctuations in oil prices (since asphalt is a petroleum product) can lead to changes in shingle prices. For example, a sudden increase in oil prices could raise asphalt shingle prices by 5-10%.

Removal and Disposal of Old Roofing

The cost to remove and dispose of old roofing materials can vary. If the existing roof has multiple layers of shingles that need to be removed, disposal costs could double, impacting the total demolition costs significantly.

Asphalt Shingle Warranty

Different brands can provide varied warranty and deals on asphalt shingles which usually ranges from 20 to 5o years. You can expect to pay 10-15% higher for a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty on materials.

Because every roof and homeowner project is different, we encourage you to use our Cost Calculator tool to get a closer estimate based on your home and needs.

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Different Types of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles comes in three varieties, organic-mat based, fiberglass, and architectural style shingles. The most affordable option is the organic mat based shingle, which is waterproof and made up of paper coated with asphalt.

The next best asphalt shingles are fiberglass roofing shingles, which are treated with a resin that creates a waterproof and fire resistant material. The best asphalt shingles aesthetically speaking are architectural shingles which are two layers of shingles treated and bonded with a sealant that is aesthetically pleasing and adds an elegant look to your home’s roof. Each shingle type differs by cost, durability, and overall appearance which we discuss below.

3 Tab Asphalt Shingles

The cost of a 3-tab composition shingle can be as low as $1.50 per square foot for roofing material. One square (100 square feet) of 3-tab roofing can cost as low as $150 per square.

3 tab asphalt shingles are the most common asphalt roofing type you see installed on homes. They are distinguished by cutouts or tabs that are made along their long lower edge. The result is that each roof shingle looks like three separate pieces when installed, but it is only one.

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Architectural Shingles

Architectural roofing shingles contain no cutouts, but their lower portions are laminated with an additional asphalt layer. This creates a contoured, dimensional look that gives them their name. Asphalt sealant bonds the layers, reinforcing the shingles’ waterproof capability.

The cost of 30-year architectural asphalt shingles cost around $3.50 per square foot or $350 per square for materials, but can go up to $7 per square foot.

Luxury Synthetic Asphalt Shingles

Luxury synthetic asphalt shingles can replicate high end roofing material such as natural slate and cedar shake roofs but at a much lower price.  Natural wood roofs and slate tile roofing are more expensive to install and involve an extended roofing installation labor which adds up in total costs. A synthetic luxury slate roof can cost as much as $9.50 per square foot ($950 per square) for materials. However, a real slate roof may cost as much as 10 times that of architectural laminate roofing shingles.

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Asphalt Shingle Colors

Choosing a color for your new roof is extremely important as it will tie your home’s total appearance together. Make sure to do your research and find similar style homes as your own to see what colors you prefer. You will generally find shingle colors ranging from:

• Pale Gray
• Medium Gray
• Dark Gray
• Beige
• Red
• Medium Brown
• Dark Brow
• Blue
• Blue – Green
• Polychromatic Light and Dark Tones

Are Asphalt Shingles Right for Your Climate?

Asphalt shingle manufacturer warranties currently guarantee asphalt shingles from 15- to 30-years useful life. The large variance in those warranties are typically based on climate, weather, and other environmental factors.

Homeowners in areas enduring long summers with high heat may need to replace roofing sooner than homeowners in cooler regions. In areas known for severe winters, ice may aggravate tiny cracks and fissures in your asphalt roofing shingles. Algae and fungus growth can also be potentially damaging for roofing in perennially damp or subtropical areas. Algae-resistant shingles are available with ceramic granules that are coated with leachable copper to prevent discoloration and long-term damage from algae and moss growth.

Keep in mind though, this protective treatment can add 10% to 15% to your total costs on roofing materials. It is always smart to speak to local roofing contractors to get an idea of which roofing shingles are best for your area.

Cons of Asphalt Roofing

Though your asphalt shingle roof should last 15 to 30 years, it is not necessarily a great environmental choice. Traditional roofing products contribute an estimated 20 billion pounds of waste to U.S. landfills on an annual basis. Asphalt shingles do offer the possibility of being reused or recycled with uses in hot mix asphalt, cold asphalt patching, and as a fuel in cement kilns, but asphalt naturally contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are carcinogenic and may put recycling workers at risk.

If your existing roof has less than two layers of shingles on it, you can reduce the amount of waste generated by your upgrade (not to mention the demolition cost) by layering your new roof on top of the existing structure.

Cleaning Asphalt Roofing

Professionals recommend that homeowners clean asphalt roofing once per year to protect their roofing investment and extend the lifespan of their asphalt roof.

“Cleaning an asphalt roof periodically can extend your roof’s life, if done correctly. It is important to have a professional handle this job, ideally performing a soft wash rather than a power wash. Power washing can damage shingles while a soft wash uses an air compressor to pump a cleaning solution onto the roof.”

-Jamie Dulin, VP of marketing at Power Home Remodeling

In addition to helping your roof last longer, cleaning asphalt shingles will also make them look better and boost your home’s curb appeal. Homeowners may want to avoid handling this task themselves due to risk of injury and saving themselves another weekend chore. Professionals can visit your home and clean your asphalt roof for you yearly at an affordable cost. However, for do-it-yourselfers, know that cleaning your roof can often be done DIY.

Finding a Professional Roofing Contractor

If asphalt shingles seem like the right choice for your home, Modernize can instantly connect you with local roofers that can get the job done right. We’ll help you compare three to four local quotes and find the best professional for your budget and needs.

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