Metal Roofing in Portland, OR
A metal roof is a different system from shingles, with its own panels, fasteners and trim. The main choice is between standing seam and exposed-fastener panels.
What is metal roofing, and who installs it in Portland?
Metal roofing in Portland is mostly one of two products. Standing seam is long panels joined at raised seams, with the fasteners hidden under the metal. Exposed-fastener panels (often called ag panel or R-panel) are screwed through the face. Both are steel with a factory paint finish in most residential work. Not every roofer installs metal, and standing seam in particular is its own skill, so say on the request form that metal is what you want.
What goes under a metal roof?
The same things a shingle roof needs, and they matter as much:
- A sound, solid deck. Old roofing normally comes off first so the sheathing can be checked.
- Underlayment rated for use under metal, which gets hotter than shingles do.
- Trim made for the panel system: eave and rake trim, valley metal, ridge cap, and flashing at every wall, chimney and skylight.
- Pipe boots designed to seal to a ribbed panel.
Most leaks on a metal roof are at that trim and at penetrations, not through the panels.
Why choose metal over shingles?
People who choose it are usually after a roof they do not expect to redo, a surface that sheds needles and debris, or the look. The trade-off is price: it costs clearly more than a composition shingle roof. The cost page shows published figures for both.
Metal is not a fix for a structural problem. If the roof plane dips, see sagging roof first. And if the existing roof only has one bad spot, a repair is the smaller job.
What this typically costs
| Work | Typical range | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement, OregonState average modeled from material cost data on a moderately pitched roof. Not specific to Portland. | $5,639 - $18,173 | per roof, Oregon statewide range | This Old House, Roof Replacement Cost in Oregon (thisoldhouse.com), updated June 8, 2026checked September 30, 2026 |
| Roof replacement, nationalCustomer-reported project costs across the country, all materials and roof sizes. | $5,902 - $13,377 | per roof, typical national range | HomeAdvisor, How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost (homeadvisor.com), updated June 17, 2026checked September 30, 2026 |
| Tear-off and disposalThe removal portion of a replacement. More layers and steeper pitch push it up. | $1,500 - $4,500 | per roof, national, permit not included | HomeAdvisor, How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost (homeadvisor.com), updated June 17, 2026checked September 30, 2026 |
| Asphalt shingle replacement, Pacific regionOne standard project priced by region, a full tear-off on a large house. It sits far above the averages because of that fixed scope. | $36,391 | per job, regional average for a fixed project specification | JLC / Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Pacific region (jlconline.com)checked September 30, 2026 |
| Metal roof replacement, Pacific regionSame report and method as the asphalt row, with metal in place of shingles. | $62,152 | per job, regional average for a fixed project specification | JLC / Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Pacific region (jlconline.com)checked September 30, 2026 |
| Roof repairCustomer-reported costs for repairs of all kinds. | $395 - $1,967 | per repair, typical national range | HomeAdvisor, How Much Does Roof Repair Cost (homeadvisor.com), updated June 19, 2026checked September 30, 2026 |
| Roof leak repair | $360 - $1,550 | per repair, national | HomeAdvisor, How Much Does Roof Repair Cost (homeadvisor.com), updated June 19, 2026checked September 30, 2026 |
| Flashing repair | $200 - $500 | per repair, national | HomeAdvisor, How Much Does Roof Repair Cost (homeadvisor.com), updated June 19, 2026checked September 30, 2026 |
Prices on this page are general ranges gathered from published sources, not a quote. What a job actually costs depends on the specifics of the job and who does the work. Only a quote from a qualified contractor who has seen the job is a real price. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.
How it works
Describe the roof
Enter the ZIP code, pick the kind of work, and say what you are seeing: a leak, wind damage, an old roof, or a quote you want to compare.
Your request goes to a roofer
We pass it to an independent, CCB-licensed roofing contractor who works in your part of the metro. We do no roofing ourselves.
The roofer inspects and bids
The contractor contacts you directly, looks at the roof and gives you a written bid with their own price and scope.
You look up the license and decide
Check the CCB number on the bid, compare it with any other bids you have, and hire them or not. There is no obligation.
Signs it is time to call someone
Shingle edges turning up or tabs cupping across the roof
Shingles curl as the asphalt dries out with age, and sooner when a hot, poorly ventilated attic bakes them from below. Curled tabs catch wind and no longer shed water onto the course beneath, so the pattern usually points to replacement, not patching.
Sandy grit collecting in the gutters and at the downspouts
The mineral granules on a composition shingle shield the asphalt from sunlight. Some shedding is normal on a new roof. Steady loss on an older roof, with dark or shiny patches showing, means the asphalt is exposed and the shingle is near the end of its service life.
Standing seam or exposed-fastener?
| Attribute | Standing seam | Exposed-fastener panels |
|---|---|---|
| How it is fastened | Clips or a hidden flange under raised seams | Screws with rubber washers driven through the face of the panel |
| Holes in the weather surface | None in the field of the panel | One at every screw |
| Upkeep | Little beyond keeping it clear of debris | Washers age and screws can back out and need checking |
| Relative cost | Higher | Lower |
| Commonly seen on | Houses | Shops, barns, outbuildings and some houses |
Request a Roofing Quote
Tell us about your roof and we pass your request to a local, CCB-licensed roofing contractor who can quote the work.
Common questions
Is a metal roof more expensive than shingles?
Yes. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value figures for the Pacific region, shown in the cost table, the metal roof project costs well over one and a half times the asphalt shingle project of the same specification.
Is a metal roof loud in the rain?
On a house, a metal roof sits on a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic beneath it, which is a very different thing from a bare metal shed roof. Ask a contractor to point you to a nearby house they have done if noise concerns you.
Can metal go over existing shingles?
Some installers do it and some panel makers allow it under conditions. It hides the deck in the same way a shingle recover does, so ask the contractor what the manufacturer's instructions say and get it in the bid.
Does moss grow on a metal roof?
Moss needs shade and moisture, and it grips rough surfaces more readily than smooth ones. A metal roof under trees still collects needles and leaves in its valleys and behind chimneys, and those need clearing.
Do I need a permit for a metal roof in Portland?
The City of Portland's no-permit rule covers reroofing a house with material of similar weight. Metal is generally lighter than the shingles it replaces. Roofs in a Wildfire Zone and on townhouses need a permit whatever the material. Confirm with the City for your address.
Request a Roofing Quote
Tell us about your roof and we pass your request to a local, CCB-licensed roofing contractor who can quote the work.