Alaska Roof Replacement Cost Guide (2025 Update)

Introduction

In this article, I’ll give you the typical costs for installing a new roof in Alaska in 2025, for both residential and commercial buildings. I’ve spent years reviewing contractor bids and researching roofing costs for my clients around the country. The roof cost estimates I provide here were produced by analyzing current material prices, Alaska labor costs, and other relevant factors, including roofing project values from actual Alaska building permit data. The roof systems covered here include asphalt shingles, metal roofing, slate, tile, synthetic composite, cedar shakes and shingles, and all of the common types of low-slope commercial roofing.

Construction costs in Alaska are much higher than the national average. Roofing prices are affected not only by the cost of transporting materials to the state, but by the additional cost of transporting materials within the state to remote locations. Seasonal limitations reduce the amount of time during the year when roofing work can be performed; this creates a “busy season” when roofers are in high demand. Higher labor rates are also necessary to attract and retain skilled workers in challenging conditions. (Compare with national average roof replacement costs.)

Actual roof prices will vary depending on location, roof size, roof slope, complexity, and the type of roof system installed. In Alaska, costs are often even higher in smaller towns, isolated villages, and inland communities because of additional shipping charges, limited contractor availability, and higher logistical expenses. Asphalt shingles are a common residential roof covering statewide, but metal roofing is a preferred alternative, especially in regions where durability against severe weather is critical. Commercial low-slope roofs typically use single-ply membranes such as EPDM, TPO, and PVC, as well as modified bitumen and standing seam metal systems.

On average, Alaska residential roof replacement prices in 2025 typically range from around $7.50 per square foot for basic asphalt shingles to more than $42 per square foot for high-end copper roofing. This means a typical 1,700-square-foot pitched roof may cost between about $12,000 and $72,000, depending on the material chosen. Again, location can have a relatively outsized effect on roof costs in Alaska.

Commercial roofing typically costs more than many people expect, due to insulation/R-value requirements and the added challenges of Alaska’s climate. Board insulation is normally installed as part of a low-slope roof system, and typically costs around $1 to $1.50 per square foot installed per inch of thickness while providing roughly R-4 to R-6 per inch. Shipping these bulky insulation materials to Alaska can further increase the expense.

Commercial roof replacement prices in Alaska range, on average, from around $6.00 per square foot for a ballasted single-ply overlay (a roof recover) with no new insulation included to more than $24 per square foot for a 2-ply modified bitumen roof with enough insulation to satisfy the Alaska R-35 energy code requirement for roofs with above-deck insulation.

The tables below provide cost information for all roof types and systems.

Climate Considerations for Alaska Roofs

Alaska’s climate is the harshest in the United States, with long, frigid winters, short and often wet summers, and major regional variation. Coastal areas, such as Anchorage and southeast Alaska, tend to be relatively milder and wetter, while the interior experiences extreme cold with large seasonal and daily temperature swings. The far north (Arctic and subarctic regions) faces permafrost conditions, long periods of subzero weather, and very short building seasons. Average annual precipitation varies widely, from less than 12 inches in the interior to more than 150 inches in some southeast coastal communities. Severe weather risks include heavy snow loads, ice storms, high winds, and roof damage from freeze-thaw cycling.

Because of the snow and ice, roofs in Alaska are often built with steeper-than-average pitches to shed snow and reduce the risk of dangerous accumulations. Steeper slopes also limit the formation of ice dams but raise installation costs since roofers must follow more extensive safety protocols that can slow down the work.

Heating degree days in Alaska are among the highest in the country, making winter energy efficiency the main concern. Reflective white “cool roof” materials provide little advantage in this environment; darker roof surfaces may even be beneficial by absorbing solar heat during cold months. In humid coastal areas, moss and roof algae growth can occur, while in the interior and Arctic, the extreme cold and dryness make biological growth rare.

Given these conditions, homeowners and property managers in Alaska should consider the following:

• Polymer-modified asphalt shingles, often sold as impact-resistant shingles, perform significantly better in low temperatures than conventional asphalt shingles. Their improved flexibility helps reduce cracking in extreme cold and high winds.
• Metal roofing is frequently the preferred residential roofing material in Alaska. Standing seam systems in particular shed snow effectively, resist high winds, and deliver long service lives even under constant freeze-thaw cycles. PVDF-coated (Kynar) finishes and aluminum panels are recommended for coastal locations where salt exposure can accelerate corrosion.
• Ventilation and underlayment are essential statewide. Proper attic ventilation reduces condensation and ice dam formation, while properly-installed ice and water shield underlayment at eaves and valleys is critical for preventing ice dam leaks. Improper roof/attic ventilation can void your roof warranty.
• Slate, tile, and cedar roofing see limited use in Alaska because of high shipping costs, weight, and installation challenges. Cedar must be installed only as part of a Class A fire-rated system, and slate or tile is typically viable only in larger communities with specialized installers.
• Insulation and attic air sealing are crucial for reducing heat loss, controlling energy costs, and limiting the risk of ice dam formation during Alaska’s long snowy winters.

Things to Keep in Mind

These roof cost estimates should be fairly accurate; I make an effort to update them regularly using current material prices and labor data specific to Alaska. Keep in mind that the costs listed below are averages, and actual costs can vary significantly depending on your specific location and the size, configuration, accessibility, and condition of your particular roof.

The residential roof cost estimates provided here are for roof replacements on roofs with a 6/12 pitch and include all standard roof components (underlayment, ice & water shield, batten systems, fasteners, flashing, etc.). Steeper roofs or roofs with complex designs can increase costs by as much as 30%.

Removal of an existing commercial or residential roof typically adds between $1 and $3 per square foot. For the estimates in the tables below, $1.50 per square foot for tear-off and disposal has been included in all pricing except for the “no additional insulation” commercial roof pricing, which generally indicates a roof recover project.

Table 1: Residential Roof Costs in Alaska

Table 2: Commercial Roof Costs in Alaska

For energy code purposes, the majority of Alaska is classified as IECC climate zones 7 and 8, where commercial roofs with above-deck insulation are expected to meet a minimum of R-35 continuous insulation (R-35ci) under the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Alaska does not enforce a uniform statewide building energy code, but major jurisdictions such as Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks have adopted and enforce energy codes based on the IECC, often with amendments. Building owners who meet or exceed the most recent IECC standards can improve long-term energy efficiency and reduce operating costs, particularly in a climate with such high heating demands.

Always verify current R-value requirements with your local building department, since codes are periodically updated and may vary depending on jurisdiction.

When performing a roof recover (installing a new roof membrane over an existing one), these insulation requirements generally do not apply. Roof recover projects usually involve adding a layer of cover board over the existing roof system to provide a suitable substrate, followed by the new roof membrane. Keep in mind that roof recovery is not always permitted or advisable.

Further Reading: Roof Cost Details by Roofing Type

• Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost Guide
• Cedar Shake & Shingle Roof Cost Guide
• Copper Roof Cost Guide
• EPDM Rubber Roof Cost Guide
• Metal Roof Cost Guide
• Modified Bitumen Roof Cost Guide
• PVC Membrane Roof Cost Guide
• Shingle Roof Cost Guide
• Single-Ply Roofing Cost Guide (EPDM, PVC, TPO)
• Slate Roof Cost Guide
• Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing Cost Guide
• Standing Seam Metal Roofing Cost Guide
• Tile Roof Cost Guide
• TPO Membrane Roof Cost Guide

About the Author

Jack Gray spent 20 years as a principal roof consultant with the Moriarty Corporation, an award-winning building enclosure consultant firm founded in 1967. Mr. Gray has worked in the roofing industry for over 25 years, with training and practical experience in roof installation, roof inspection, roof safety, roof condition assessment, construction estimating, roof design & specification, quality assurance, roof maintenance & repair, and roof asset management. He was awarded the Registered Roof Observer (RRO) professional credential in 2009. He also served as an infantry paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and has a B.A. from Cornell University.