Stop Guessing - Use This Simple Method to Calculate Shingle Squares
Installing or replacing roof shingles is a common DIY project for homeowners. But purchasing the right number of shingle bundles for your specific roof can often turn into a frustrating guessing game.
No more wasting money on unused surplus materials or mid-job emergency store runs.
What is a Roofing Square?
In the roofing industry, a "square" is the standard term for describing 100 square feet of roof area. Most roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, are packaged and sold based on their coverage per square.
Knowing the total number of squares on your roof is crucial for estimating the required quantities of shingles. If the shape of your roof makes it tricky to calculate the area, an experienced roofer should be able to measure and provide the total squares.
Why Roofing Squares Matter
Shingles and other roofing materials come bundled in set amounts designed to cover a certain number of squares. Asphalt shingle bundles are usually sized to cover one third of a square, or around 33 square feet.
To order the right amount, you need to divide your roof's total area into squares first. Then use the expected coverage rate of the shingle bundles to calculate how many you need. Getting this number right means you won't waste money on extra unused bundles or unexpectedly run out of shingles halfway through roofing day.
Typical Shingle Bundle Coverage
A bundle of asphalt shingles generally covers around 33 square feet of area when installed.
The packaging and overlap allow for industry standard gaps between shingles. Heavier grades of architectural shingles may have closer to 25 square feet per bundle ratings from manufacturers.
Always check the label on shingle packaging or product details for the stated square footage per bundle. Coverage amounts can fluctuate slightly between different brands or weights.
How to Calculate Total Squares
To determine squares, start by carefully measuring your roof area. Sketch out the shape outline from above, labeling the lengths of each edge. Use a measuring tape for smaller roofs or distances. Larger buildings may require a laser distance measurer for precision.
Once you have accurate measurements outlined, multiply the length by width of each rectangular roof segment. Add up the total square footage of all sections.
Finally, divide the grand total by 100. This gives you the number of 100 square-foot squares that make up your roof shape.
Finding Required Shingle Bundles
With the total roofing squares now calculated, determining the estimated shingle bundles needed is simple.
Take your square footage number and divide it by 3. Most roofing shingle bundles provide 1/3 square coverage. Round the result up to ensure adequate material allowing for any irregular edges or wastage.
For example, if your measured roof area equals 1100 square feet total or 11 squares: 11 squares / 3 bundles per square = 3.6 Round up to 4 bundles Therefore, you will need approximately 4 bundles per square x 11 squares = 44 bundles
Adjustments for Complex Roofs
The standard 1 square = 3 bundles formula works well for simple, rectangular-shaped roofs. But homes with more complicated architectural designs require further adjustments.
Elbows, dormers valleys, multiple ridges, and other irregular areas demand additional shingle layers. The intricacies translate to using more materials per square than flat sections.
For uniquely shaped roofs it's best to bring in an installer for an official quote. They account for trouble spots needing extra bundles when estimating total requirements.
Why Professional Input Helps
While do-it-yourselfers can measure squares themselves, the complexity of certain roofs makes it advantageous to utilize professional roofers' expertise.
They have extensive experience calculating exactly how many extra bundles uniquely angled areas will realistically require. Their final estimates offer greater accuracy compared to DIY trial-and-error.
When to DIY the Math
Homeowners with straightforward rectangular roofs can reliably determine their own squares and bundles utilizing the basic calculations outline above.
Just carefully measure, multiply for total area, then divide by 100 for squares and by 3 for bundles. Always round bundle numbers up rather than down.
Ordering the Right Amount Matters
Taking the time to accurately estimate your shingle order means avoiding problems down the road. Underestimating leads to unusable half-finished projects while overestimating wastes money.
Shorting your order can mean expensive mid-job delays for additional rush deliveries. But ordering an overly generous surplus just ties up your working capital in unused inventory.
Dangers of Under-Ordering
Not purchasing enough shingle bundles produces an incomplete roofing job. You'll have to halt work while ordering more materials.
Scrambling to locate extras mid-project can take days when local stores don't keep full inventory. This may expose unfinished roof sections to the elements in the meantime.
Cost of Over-Ordering
Alternatively, surplus shingle bundles left over after successful installation become sunk costs. They take up storage space while the product slowly degrades from age over time.
Overestimating by a couple bundles provides a buffer. But excess orders of 100+ squares will simply drain budget without any ROI.
Review Calculation Steps
Getting your order right comes down to following this streamlined workflow:
- Carefully measure and sketch out total roof area
- Calculate square footage amounts for each rectangular section
- Add all sections' totals together = overall roof area square footage
- Divide grand total square footage by 100 = total number of squares
- Divide squares by 3 bundles per square = estimated number of bundles needed
- Round bundle number up, not down
Having trouble visualizing the process? Check out the diagrams below illustrating the crucial math formulas.
Now that you understand the simple relationship between squares and bundles, getting your roofing job underway is a breeze. No more guessing games!
With the ability to precisely calculate required materials, you can save time, frustration and extra costs. Your local roofing supply store will cut shingles to the exact number your project needs.
Do you still have additional questions? Make sure to drop them in the comments section! Properly estimating shingle order quantities sets any roof replacement project up for straightforward success.