How much does roof flashing cost by type and material?
Short answer. Roof flashing is inexpensive as material and costly mainly in labor, so the price depends on which type is involved, the metal, and whether it goes in during a full replacement or as a separate repair. Aluminum and galvanized steel are the budget standard, copper and lead cost the most, and the same flashing costs far less per foot when installed with a new roof than as a stand-alone repair.
How each type is usually priced
- Drip edge: by the linear foot along eaves and rakes, usually prefinished aluminum or galvanized steel.
- Step flashing: by the linear foot of wall or chimney side, or as part of a flashing package. Labor rises when siding has to be removed and reset.
- Counterflashing: by the linear foot, with extra labor to cut a groove into the mortar.
- Valley metal or lining: by the linear foot of valley.
- Pipe boots and vent flashing: per piece, by size and type.
- Chimney flashing as a package, sometimes with a cricket priced separately.
Metals from least to most expensive
- Aluminum: light, rust free, the common choice with asphalt shingles. It should not be embedded in fresh mortar or concrete without a protective coating, which can corrode it.
- Galvanized steel: strong and inexpensive; rusts eventually where the zinc coating wears.
- Prepainted or Galvalume steel: used for metal roofing trims.
- Copper: long-lived and handsome, priced at a premium, and incompatible with some other metals.
- Lead and lead-coated copper: specialty uses.
Reading it on an estimate
Replacement estimates, and insurance estimates written in programs like Xactimate, list flashing as separate line items: drip edge, step flashing, counterflashing, valley metal and pipe jacks. When a roof is replaced, expect new drip edge, step flashing and boots; counterflashing on brick is reused only if it is sound and properly cut in. For how those line items work on a claim, see Xactimate roof estimates explained. Also see roof flashing explained and drip edge explained.