How Much Does an A-Frame Roof Cost?

National Average Range:
$10,000 - $20,000
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Reviewed by Adam Graham. Written by Fixr.com.

A-frame roofs have a unique appearance and style that have surprising benefits. People who live in very snowy climates can find that an A-frame home eliminates many issues with the weight of snow, ice dams, and water damage. This roofing style often has a fairly steep pitch, making it a challenge to roof. While the lower sections of the roof are easily accessible from the ground, roofing the peak can be more difficult. In addition, you may be more limited in the material types that can be used on the roof due to its pitch. Many roofing materials can be used on an A-frame, including asphalt, architectural shingles, metal roofing, wood shakes, and slate tile.

The national average cost to roof an A-frame is $10,000 to $20,000, with most people paying around $15,000 to install architectural shingles on a 1,500 sq.ft. A-frame roof. This project’s low cost is $7,000 to install 3-tab shingles on a 1,500 sq.ft. A-frame roof. The high cost is $30,000 for an installed 1,500 sq.ft. wood shake A-frame roof.

A-Frame Roof Cost Calculator

A-frame roofs often have higher labor costs than other roofs but the same material costs. This is due to the extreme pitch of the roof and its length and size. A-frame roofs extend to the ground or very close to it in many cases and have a sharp peak at the top. While your material costs per square foot may be similar to a gable or hip roof, your labor costs will be higher.

A-Frame Roof Costs
Zip Code Sq.Ft.
Basic Standard Best Quality
A-Frame Roof Cost (Material Only) $3,750 - $6,750 $8,000 - $15,000 $12,000 - $37,500
A-Frame Roof Installation Cost (Labor Only) $3,375 - $4,875 $5,275 - $7,875 $6,000 - $9,000
Total Costs $7,125 - $11,625 $13,275 - $22,875 $18,000 - $46,500
A-Frame Roof Cost per Sq.Ft. $4.75 - $7.75 $8.85 - $15.25 $12.00 - $31.00

A-frame roofs can use many of the same materials as other roofs. The lowest cost is a 3-tab asphalt shingle. This and architectural shingles, a mid-cost option, are two of the most common materials used on this roof. However, you can also use metal roofing as another mid-cost option or wood shakes and slate shingles as the highest quality and cost option. Labor costs can become very high with this roof type because of the high pitch, particularly for more difficult-to-install materials.

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Additional Considerations and Costs

  • Lifespan. A-frame roofs can last slightly longer than some other roofs because they are not impacted by things like snow, water, and ice dams. However, the longevity depends on the material used. This can range from 30 to 200 years.
  • Maintenance. A-frame roofs may require slightly less maintenance because you do not need to worry about removing ice dams and snow. However, they should still be inspected annually and cleaned as needed. The roofing material determines the amount of maintenance.
  • Flashing. If you have any protrusions in your A-frame roof, such as a skylight, you will need to install flashing 1 around it. This costs $10 to $25 a linear foot.
  • Roof deck. The roof deck on an A-frame roof extends to the ground and is built on top of rafters. If you need it replaced or reinforced, expect additional costs of up to $8 a sq.ft.

FAQs

  • How much does an A-frame roof cost?

The average cost to install roofing on an A-frame home is $10,000 to $20,000, with most paying around $15,000.

  • What is the pitch of an A-frame roof?

A-frames have a 45º roof known as a 12-in-12, meaning they rise 12” up for every 12” they go out.

  • Is an A-frame cheaper to build?

Yes, A-frame homes are relatively cheap and easy to build. However, they can be difficult to install roofing material on, increasing the cost of this one area.

  • What are the advantages of an A-frame house?

A-frame homes are inexpensive and fast to build, blend in with rural areas, and are a good choice in snowy climates because the pitch means that snow and ice slide off rather than resting on top.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.
See full cheat sheet.
glossary term picture Flashing 1 Flashing: Pieces of sheet metal used on roofs to cover joints, such as where the roof meets the wall, or around a chimney or skylight, to protect them and prevent water leaking through

Cost to install an a-frame roof varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.

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