A roofing square is a unit of measurement used in the roofing industry to describe the area of a roof. One roofing square is equal to 100 square feet (10 feet by 10 feet) of roof area. It is used to estimate the amount of material needed for a roofing project and to determine the cost of the project.
For example, if a roof has an area of 2,000 square feet, it would be considered a 20-square roof (2,000 divided by 100).
Similarly, if a roofing material such as shingles is sold in bundles that cover 33.3 square feet, then 3 bundles would be needed to cover one roofing square.
The terminology used in roofing square
- Square: It is a unit of measurement for roofing materials. One square is equal to 100 square feet of roof area.
- Pitch: The pitch of a roof is the angle or slope of the roof. The pitch is measured by the rise of the roof (the height from the top of the wall to the highest point of the roof) over the run of the roof (the horizontal distance from the edge of the eave to the highest point of the roof).
- Hip: A hip is a line where two roof planes meet at an external angle.
- Valley: A valley is a line where two roof planes meet at an internal angle.
Ridge: A ridge is the highest point of a roof where two sloping roof planes meet.
- Shingles: Shingles are a common type of roofing material made from asphalt, wood, metal, or other materials. They are installed in overlapping rows to provide a protective covering for the roof.
Importance of roofing square in the roofing industry
Accurate measurement
It is a standardized unit of measurement that helps in accurately measuring the area of a roof.
This helps in determining the amount of material needed for a roofing project, which is essential for estimating the cost of the project.
Consistent pricing
By using this as a unit of measurement, roofing contractors can provide consistent pricing for their services.
This makes it easier for homeowners to compare quotes from different contractors and make informed decisions about their roofing projects.
Efficient material ordering
It helps in the efficient ordering of roofing materials.
For instance, if a roofing contractor needs to order shingles for a 20-square roof, they know that they need to order 60 bundles (3 bundles per roofing square) of shingles.
This reduces the risk of over-ordering or under-ordering materials.
Cost savings
By accurately measuring the area of a roof using a roofing square, contractors can optimize material usage and reduce waste, which can help in reducing the overall cost of a roofing project.
Standardization
It is a widely recognized unit of measurement in the roofing industry. This standardization helps in reducing confusion and ensuring consistency in roofing projects.
Time savings
By using it as a unit of measurement, contractors can quickly estimate the area of a roof and provide a quote for their services. This helps in saving time for both contractors and homeowners.
Calculation of roofing square with example
Calculating the square of the roof is a simple process that involves measuring the length and width of the roof and then multiplying those values to get the total area of the roof in square feet.
If the roof has an equal section with different dimensions
Suppose you have a rectangular roof that measures 30 feet in length and 20 feet in width. To calculate the roofing square, follow these steps:
Multiply the length and width of the roof to get the total area in square feet:
30 x 20 = 600 square feet
Divide the total area by 100 to get the number of roofing squares:
600 ÷ 100 = 6 squares
So, in this example, the roof has an area of 600 square feet and is considered a 6-square roof.
If the roof has different sections with different dimensions
Suppose you have a roof with two sections. Section A measures 30 feet in length and 20 feet in width, while Section B measures 25 feet in length and 15 feet in width. To calculate the roofing square for this roof, follow these steps:
Calculate the area of each section by multiplying its length and width:
Area of Section A = 30 feet x 20 feet = 600 square feet
Area of Section B = 25 feet x 15 feet = 375 square feet
Add up the total area of all sections to get the overall area of the roof:
Total area = Area of Section A + Area of Section B
Total area = 600 square feet + 375 square feet
Total area = 975 square feet
Divide the total area by 100 to get the number of roofing squares:
975 square feet ÷ 100 = 9.75 squares
In this example, the roof has an overall area of 975 square feet and is considered a 9.75-square roof.
Note that because the roofing square is measured in increments of 100 square feet, you would round up to 10 squares for this roof.
How many bundles are there in a roofing square?
One roofing square is equal to approximately three bundles of asphalt shingles. This is based on the standard size of most three-tab asphalt shingles, which cover 33.3 square feet of roof area per bundle.
