Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, protecting you from the elements. When planning a roofing project, you’ll often encounter the term “roofing square.” So, how many feet in a square roofing measurement, exactly?
A roofing square is a unit of measurement equal to 100 square feet. This article will break down exactly what that means, explain how many feet are in a roofing square, and show you how to calculate your roofing needs with this measurement.
What is a roofing square?
In the roofing business, a “square” is a unit of measurement. It refers to an area that measures 10 feet by 10 feet, which equals 100 square feet.
Roofers use squares when estimating how much material a project will require. They also use “squares” to determine project prices and labor estimates.
It’s important to remember that a “square” (roofing measurement) is different from “square feet” (general measurement). One square equals 100 square feet.
Calculating Roof Square Footage
To figure out how many squares you’ll need, you’ll first need to calculate the area of each plane or facet of the roof.
Measuring Individual Roof Planes
Start by measuring the length and width of each part of the roof, including dormers and other features that jut out. Be as precise as possible, since even small errors can add up.
Calculate the area of each plane
Once you’ve measured the length and width of each plane, multiply those two numbers to determine the area of that section of the roof.
Summing the Areas and Converting to Squares
Add up the areas of all the different roof planes to get the total square footage. Then, divide that total by 100 to find out how many squares you’ll need to order.
For example, if your roof is 2,000 square feet, you’ll need 20 squares of roofing material (2,000 / 100 = 20).
How does roof pitch affect material requirements?
The pitch of your roof significantly impacts how much material you’ll need. Steeper roofs require more shingles, tiles, or metal because the overlapping layers cover a larger surface area. There’s also more waste when cutting materials to fit around complex angles.
To adjust for pitch, you can use a multiplier:
- Low Pitch: 1.07 x Roofing Squares
- Medium Pitch: 1.185 x Roofing Squares
- High Pitch: 1.36 x Roofing Squares
For the most accurate estimate, especially with complex roof designs, use a roofing calculator or consult a professional roofer.
Roofing materials and squares
When you’re buying roofing materials, it’s helpful to know how much material you’ll need to cover a square, which is 100 square feet. Here’s the approximate breakdown for some common roofing materials:
Shingles and bundles
Roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, often come in bundles. Typically, you’ll need three bundles of asphalt shingles to cover one square.
Other materials may have different ratios. For example, you might need five bundles of wood shakes or four bundles of wood shingles to cover a square.
Other materials
In addition to the primary roofing material, you’ll also need underlayment and fasteners. For each square, you’ll likely need about half a roll of felt underlayment, or one roll of cap sheet, and around 320 roofing nails.
How much does a square of roofing cost?
The cost of a square of roofing varies depending on where you live, the kind of roofing materials you choose, and the roof’s complexity.
But in general, you can expect a square of roofing to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $350 to $550.
Labor costs also vary. You might pay anywhere from $150 to $300 (or more) per square for labor.
Why accurate measurements matter
Getting accurate roof measurements is essential. You absolutely must know how much surface area you’re covering to order the right amount of roofing materials. Otherwise, you’ll end up short, or you’ll have too much left over.
Inaccurate measurements also affect project timelines. If you don’t have enough material, you’ll have to pause the project to get more. If you have too much, you’ll have to figure out where to store it or pay to have it hauled away. These issues also impact how much labor you need and, therefore, the overall cost.
Professional Roofing Services and Software
Measuring a roof can be tricky and dangerous. Many homeowners choose to hire professional roofers. Pros will have the expertise to safely install your roof and the tools to measure it precisely.
You can also buy roofing software that measures your roof automatically. These programs increase accuracy and improve safety, because you don’t have to climb on the roof yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of a square in roofing?
In the roofing world, a “square” doesn’t refer to a geometric square. Instead, it’s a unit of measurement equal to 100 square feet. So, when you hear someone talk about a square of roofing, they’re talking about enough material to cover 100 square feet of roof surface.
How many square feet is a roof on a 2000 square foot house?
That’s tricky! The square footage of your house’s footprint isn’t the same as the square footage of your roof. Roof size depends on the pitch (steepness) and complexity of the roof design. A simple, low-pitched roof on a 2000 sq ft house might be around 2500 sq ft, while a steeper, more complex roof could easily exceed 3000 sq ft.
How much is 1 square of roofing?
The cost of one square of roofing varies wildly depending on the material. Asphalt shingles are the most affordable, while slate or metal roofing will be significantly more expensive. Labor costs also factor in, so get quotes from local roofing contractors for an accurate estimate.
How many roofing squares are on a 1200 sq ft house?
Again, the roof’s square footage is what matters, not the house’s. If a 1200 sq ft house has a roof that’s, say, 1500 sq ft, you’d need 15 squares of roofing material. (1500 sq ft / 100 sq ft per square = 15 squares). Always get professional measurements to be sure!
In Closing
So, remember that a roofing square is 100 square feet. Knowing that will help you estimate how much material you’ll need for your roofing project and plan accordingly. Good luck!