Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost Guide (2024) • By Shingle Type & Roof Size

By Jack Gray, Roof Online Editor • Last updated July 16, 2024

Introduction

We’re professional roof consultants and we have to produce accurate roof replacement budget projections for our clients every year. This means keeping up-to-date with changing material and labor costs for all kinds of roofing, including asphalt shingles.

In this article, I’m going to explain the factors that determine asphalt shingle roof costs. I’ll also give you the typical costs for various types of asphalt shingle roofs in 2024.

Keep in mind that the cost of any particular asphalt shingle roof will depend on several variables, including roof size, roof pitch, roof complexity, local labor costs, and the quality and thickness of the materials. The price of oil also affects asphalt shingle prices, since asphalt is a product of petroleum refining.

On average, the cost of an asphalt shingle roof replacement in 2024 ranges from $5.60 per square foot for cheaper 3-tab asphalt shingles to $7.65 per square foot for high-performance luxury asphalt shingles.

For an average 1,700-square-foot roof, this puts the national average cost of an asphalt shingle roof at around $10,000.

Note on Average Roof Size

A precise value for the average roof size for existing (not just new construction!) U.S. single-family homes is not directly available from any official source.

We used publicly available data for average home square footage and the percentage of 1-story versus 2-story homes, as well as adjusting for typical eave overhangs and the average roof pitch multiplier, to estimate an average U.S. roof size of a little under 1,700 square feet.

Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost in 2024

These cost estimates should be fairly accurate; we try to keep them reasonably up-to-date using current or recent material prices and labor data.

Keep in mind that the costs listed below are national averages, and costs can vary quite a bit according to location.

To get a more accurate idea of what a new asphalt shingle roof will cost in your area, see our article “Relative Construction Costs by U.S State” and apply your state multiplier to the national average cost.

The asphalt shingle roof cost estimates given below are for replacing a roof with a 6/12 pitch (or below) and include all typical roof components and removing the existing roof.

Table 1: Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost per Square Foot

Table 2: Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost by Roof Size

Key Selling Points of Asphalt Shingles

Affordability

Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable primary roof covering materials available. The lower cost is the main benefit of asphalt shingles when compared to other types of roofing.

Availability

Asphalt shingles are universally available throughout North America, with a large number of competing brands.

Also, many other types of roofing materials can only be purchased by professional contractors from roofing material suppliers or manufacturers. Asphalt shingles are often directly available to consumers at retail stores like Home Depot.

Design Options

Asphalt shingles come in an extremely wide range of colors, textures, and styles to suit any home’s aesthetic. Asphalt shingles are also relatively lightweight, so structural considerations won’t be a concern.

Heavier materials such as clay tile or natural slate may require expensive structural reinforcement before they can safely be installed.

Easy to Install

Asphalt shingles are among the easiest roofing materials to install. It isn’t hard to find a contractor to install an asphalt shingle roof. Installing an asphalt shingle roof is also, relatively speaking, one of the easiest do-it-yourself roofing projects.

Types or Grades of Asphalt Shingles

3-Tab or Strip Shingles

3-tab shingles are generally the lowest grade, bottom-tier, least expensive shingle lines. 3-tab shingles are also called “strip shingles”. They have narrow cut-outs that make the shingle strip look like three smaller individual shingles (the “tabs” of the shingle).

3-tab shingles consist of one single layer of shingle material: a fiberglass reinforcement mat sandwiched between two layers of asphalt with protective mineral granules on the top surface.

A bundle of 3-tab shingles (which covers 33.33 square feet) costs around $30 in 2024.

Key Points (3-Tab Shingles)

• Lowest-tier performance shingle lines
• Cheapest type of asphalt shingles
• Lifespan is typically 12 to 25 years
• Non-prorated warranty coverage typically lasts 5 to 10 years
• Weight is typically around 2 pounds per square foot installed
• Cost is typically $90 per square (100 square feet) for just the shingles

Architectural or Dimensional Shingles

Generally considered middle-grade shingles, architectural or dimensional shingles are the most popular asphalt shingles, currently used on over 50% of all houses in North America.

Architectural shingles are made up of two, or occasionally three, basic shingle layers laminated together to produce a thicker shingle with textural depth. They create pleasing architectural effects for the roof using the shapes, thicknesses, contours, and shadows of the shingles.

They are called “architectural shingles” because of these desirable aesthetic or “architectural” effects.

The terms “architectural shingles”, “dimensional shingles”, and “laminated shingles” are used interchangeably.

A bundle of architectural shingles (which covers 33.33 square feet) costs an average of $40 in 2024.

Key Points (Architectural Shingles)

• Middle-tier performance shingle lines
• Medium-priced asphalt shingle lines
• Lifespan is typically 20 to 35 years
• Non-prorated warranty coverage typically lasts 10 to 15 years
• Weight is typically around 3 pounds per square foot installed
• Cost is typically $120 per square (100 square feet) for just the shingles

Luxury or Premium Shingles

Premium shingles are top-tier shingles. Premium shingles are the thickest, highest-quality laminated or architectural shingles. “Luxury” shingles and “premium” shingles are the same thing.

They are often designed to mimic other, more expensive roofing materials such as natural slate or cedar shakes. This heightened curb appeal makes them stand out from other asphalt shingles.

Most premium shingles also have a high impact-resistance rating (they can withstand hail better) and perform better in high winds. Premium shingles typically cost the most, last the longest, and have the best warranties.

A bundle of luxury shingles (which covers 25 square feet) costs an average of $68 in 2024.

Key Points (Premium Shingles)

• Top-tier performance shingle lines
• Most expensive asphalt shingle lines
• Lifespan is typically 25 to 40 years
• Non-prorated warranty coverage typically lasts 15 to 25 years, can be up to 40 years
• Weight is typically around 4 pounds per square foot installed
• Cost is typically $270 per square (100 square feet) for just the shingles

Asphalt Shingle Roof Components

When you’re calculating material costs for an asphalt shingle roof, the shingles aren’t the only things you have to account for. There are several other components. Some of them are required by code for all asphalt shingle roofs, some are simply a good idea, and some are necessary depending on the specifics of the individual roof.

Shingles

• Hip and ridge cap shingles
• Regular shingles
• Starter strip shingles

Underlayment

• Ice & water shield (at eaves and valleys)
• Regular underlayment

Fasteners

• Roofing nails
• Staples (for some underlayments)

Flashings

• Drip edge
• Pipe boots
• Step flashing
• Valley flashing

Ventilation

• Gable vents
• Plumbing vents
• Ridge vent
• Roof fans
• Soffit vent
• Static roof vents

Roof Decking

Where deteriorated roof sheathing is discovered during a roof replacement, it will have to be replaced with new plywood or OSB panels.

Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost Factors

The two biggest cost factors are labor and materials, but there are a few other things to take into account. Total costs for asphalt shingle roofs typically break down to roughly 40% to 60% for labor and 40% to 60% for materials.

These two cost factors are, in general, very evenly split for asphalt shingle roofs. The actual cost breakdown will be determined by the quality level of the materials and local rates for labor.

Material Costs

Material costs for an asphalt shingle roof are determined by the surface area of the roof, the quality, weight, and thickness tier of the shingles, and the types and amounts of roofing accessories, such as flashings and ventilation products, that are used.

Labor Costs

In terms of local labor costs, you can expect to pay more if you live in an area with a higher cost of living. States where commercial roofing is typically performed by union roofers tend to have higher residential roofing labor costs as well.

Roof Complexity

In terms of labor costs, the complexity of the roof is a major factor in the price you’ll pay for an asphalt shingle roof installation. Complex roofs require additional time and a higher level of skill.

Obstacles such as chimneys, skylights, rising walls, and valleys interrupt the flow of the installation, requiring extra measurements and calculations. Shingles need to be carefully trimmed to fit around these items and flashing materials need to be properly installed.

It can take twice as long (or longer) to install a square of roofing in a complicated roof area than in a simple area where you just have to lay shingles down.

How Steep the Roof Is

As with roof complexity, a steeper roof pitch will slow down the pace of the work and increase labor costs. Steeper roofs require safety protocols that include the use of additional equipment and procedures. This makes the work take longer.

If a roof has a pitch greater than 6/12, you can figure on paying up to 50% more for labor. This can potentially add 30% to the overall price of the job. Generally, the steeper the roof, the longer the work will take.

Removal of Existing Roofing

Although it isn’t always required by code, it is a good idea to remove any existing roofing materials, including old shingles and underlayment, before installing a new roof. This may increase the cost of the job, but it will help ensure a much better quality result.

If you already have two layers of roofing on your roof, you will always have to remove it before installing a new roof.

Removal and disposal of the old roof shingles will normally add around $1 per square foot to the total price of the job, but it can cost more in some areas.

Local Taxes, Fees, and Permits

Building permit fees, dumpster rental, disposal fees and/or local taxes may apply to your roofing job and should be factored into the total cost.

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