Shed Roof Replacement Calculator
Estimate the cost to re-roof a shed including materials, tear-off, decking replacement, and labour — for asphalt, metal, EPDM, and cedar shake roofing.
Your Shed Roof Details
Cost Estimate
Based on mid-range Ontario roofing contractor rates. Small sheds may attract a minimum mobilization charge not reflected here. Always get 2–3 quotes for roofing work.
Assumptions & Methodology
Roof area = Shed footprint × pitch multiplier × style multiplier. All costs applied per sq ft of actual roof area.
- Pitch multipliers: Low (2–4:12) ×1.07, Medium (5–8:12) ×1.19, Steep (9:12+) ×1.36.
- Style multipliers: Gable ×1.00, Hip ×1.08 (more cuts/valleys), Shed ×0.95 (simplest), Gambrel ×1.15.
- Asphalt shingles: ~$2.00/sq ft material (3-tab or architectural), ~$2.50/sq ft labour.
- Metal panels: ~$4.50/sq ft material, ~$3.25/sq ft labour.
- EPDM rubber: ~$2.50/sq ft material (membrane + adhesive), ~$2.00/sq ft labour.
- Cedar shakes: ~$5.50/sq ft material, ~$4.00/sq ft labour.
- Tear-off: ~$0.75/sq ft per layer (includes debris disposal).
- Decking replacement: ~$2.50/sq ft (OSB or plywood + labour).
- Drip edge: ~$4/lf; perimeter estimated as 4 × √(footprint).
- Ice & water shield: ~$1.50/sq ft of full roof area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace a shed roof?
A typical 10×16 shed (160 sq ft footprint) re-roofed with asphalt shingles in Ontario costs $800–$1,500, including 1-layer tear-off, drip edge, and ice & water shield. Metal panel roofing runs $1,200–$2,000 for the same size. Labour costs are often similar regardless of material — it's the material price that creates the range.
What's the best roofing material for a shed?
For most sheds, asphalt shingles are the best value — affordable, widely available, and effective for 20–30 years. Metal roofing (steel panels) is the premium choice for longevity (40–70 years), handling snow load, and minimal maintenance. EPDM rubber membrane is ideal for very low-pitch roofs (under 2:12) where shingles won't seal properly. Cedar shakes are beautiful but need maintenance and aren't recommended in areas with heavy tree coverage due to moss risk.
Can I shingle over the existing roof?
Ontario building code allows a maximum of 2 layers of asphalt shingles. If your shed currently has 1 layer, you can shingle over it — this saves the tear-off cost ($0.75/sq ft per layer). However, roofing over an existing layer hides any deck damage, adds weight, and slightly reduces the life of the new shingles. If the existing shingles are curling, brittle, or your shed is 20+ years old, a full tear-off is the better investment.
Should I replace the sheathing when re-roofing?
You won't know until the tear-off is complete. Soft spots, delamination, or rot in the OSB or plywood decking must be replaced before new shingles go on. Budget for 20–30% decking replacement as a contingency on any re-roof job — especially on older sheds or those with a history of leaks. Decking replacement adds about $2–3/sq ft.
How Much Does Shed Roof Replacement Cost in Canada?
Replacing a shed roof is one of the most common outdoor maintenance projects for Canadian homeowners. Whether your existing shingles have reached the end of their lifespan, you've got a leak, or you're building a new structure, understanding what the job costs helps you budget and evaluate contractor quotes.
Average Shed Roof Replacement Costs (Ontario, 2025)
For a typical 10×16 shed (160 sq ft footprint, medium-pitch gable roof) with a single layer of tear-off and asphalt shingle replacement:
- Asphalt shingles: $800–$1,500 complete
- Metal panels: $1,200–$2,200 complete
- EPDM rubber: $900–$1,600 complete
- Cedar shakes: $1,800–$2,800 complete
Factors That Affect Shed Roof Cost
The biggest variable is roof pitch. A steep-pitched gambrel (barn-style) roof has significantly more surface area than a low-pitch flat roof of the same footprint, and steep pitches are slower to work on. Expect a 20–35% cost increase for steep pitches versus low-pitch roofs. Material quality matters too — architectural shingles cost 20–30% more than 3-tab but last significantly longer. Tear-off layers add $75–150 per layer for a typical shed roof. Decking replacement, if needed, adds $250–500 for a 10×16 shed.
DIY vs. Hiring a Roofer
Shed roofing is one of the more accessible DIY projects — the roof is low to the ground, small enough to complete in a day, and asphalt shingle installation follows simple step-by-step patterns. The main skill needed is properly installing drip edge, starting courses level, and overlapping correctly to prevent leaks at valleys and edges. If you're comfortable on a ladder and have a helper, expect to save $250–600 in labour on a typical shed re-roof.
Getting Roofing Contractor Quotes
Specify whether you want tear-off or shingle-over, the material you want, and whether you have any existing rot or soft spots. Ask the contractor to price separately: materials, tear-off, decking replacement (as a contingency allowance), and labour. This makes comparing quotes much easier and protects you from surprise change orders if decking issues are found during tear-off.