How Much Are Roofing Shingles Per Square

Roofing Costs Per Square Foot

When estimating the roofing costs, its essential to understand that youll get a quote on a per square basis. In all roofing projects, a roofing square equals 100 square feet. A roofing square is an all-inclusive phrase covering all materials and labor.

For example, here are the roofing costs per square for different roofing materials.

• Asphalt shingles: $350-$500 per square
• Concrete and Clay: $1,200-$1800 per square
• Metal or tin roofs: $600-$1,200 per square

How Do You Calculate How Many Shingles To Buy

Measure the actual surface area of your roof rather than basing your calculations on the homes square footage. Roof pitch and elements such as gables and dormers will affect the amount as well. Use a simple roofing calculator to get a rough idea of square footage. For a more accurate picture, use a roofing calculator that can take all of these peripheral factors into account or consult with a roofing contractor.

Diy Roof Replacement Vs Hiring A Roofer

For homeowners looking at replacing their roof instead of hiring a professional, an asphalt roof will cost $3,000 less to $6,000 less . However, while small roof repairs are cheap and relatively easy to carry out by the homeowner, as long as safety precautions are taken, roofing a home is better done by professional roofers. The downsides of completing the work as a DIY project are:

• In removing the original roof, you may cause issues that will lead to leaks.
• Once the old roof is off, you could miss structural issues or things that will contribute to more leaks.
• You might not create a perfect weather seal to protect your home from the rain when installing the new roof.
• You could introduce issues that translate to increased utility costs from heating or cooling.
• You could fall from your roof.
• You could negatively impact the resale value of your home.

Your roof is the single biggest surface barrier between you and the elements. Given the importance of the roof, and the potential for significant problems, we suggest looking for bids from the roofing professionals we have on HomeGuide before making a final decision to do the work yourself.

Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted roofing companies:

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Average Price Of Replacing Your Roof Vs Repairing

The national average cost to repair a roof ranges from $200 to $3,000, with most people paying between $225 and $1,150 depending on the extent of the damage, and the type of roofing materials on the roof that needs repairing. If there is either extensive damage or your roof is about 20 years old, and it needs replacing, the average price to replace your roof is around $7,211.

Roof Repair Cost

Average New Metal Roof Costs In Us:

At face value, a metal shingles roof is significantly more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles.

On a 2, 000 sq.ft. roof, you can install basic asphalt shingles for as low as $4,000 5,000, and a fancier asphalt shingles roof will cost you $9, 000 12, 000.

For the same size roof, the cost of metal shingles starts at $11,000 14,000.

However, compared to asphalt roofing, metal is the MOST cost effective option, because it has at least 2-4 times the longevity of asphalt.

This means that someone who has a classic 3-tab shingle roof will need to do another re-roof 2-4 times, while metal roofing will remain intact.

Over the years, the total cost of these additional replacements will actually be higher than the initial cost of a metal roof.

When comparing the two materials, you also need to consider weather resistance.

Metal roofing is designed to protect your home pretty much under any weather conditions: from hail and fire to rain and ice dams.

This is not the case with asphalt roof shingles: while they do well in mild climates, they are prone to leaks and all sorts of damage from severe weather.

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Varying Roof Styles Make The Term Roofing Square More Common

Another reason that you cant always divide square footage by 100 to get the number of square is because every roof shape and style is different

For example, measuring a gable roof is fairly straightforward, but measuring a gambrel or mansard style roof can be a bit more complicated. Waste becomes a major factor when measuring more intricate roofing types like mansard and hipped roofs. Waste happens when shingles need to be cut to fit tight spaces . They are not always nailed in even rows along the roof deck.

With more complex roof types, you quickly realize that not every square foot of measurement is created equal! Overall, the phrase roof square helps bridge the gap for projects both simple and complex.

As long as you have an experienced roofing contractor to work with, you can breathe easy knowing that at the end of the day, the correct amount of materials will get delivered and that your roof installation will go 100% according to plan! You can skip the hassle of measuring your roof, ordering materials, and DIYing the project by hiring Roof Hub. Our guarantees, time-tested processes, and 50 year warranty are just a few of many reasons hundreds of homeowners have trusted us with their #1 asset. If youd like to get started on a roof estimate, click here.

Roof Repair Vs Replacement

Your roof could still be in good condition, and not show any signs of leaking, but if it is 20 years old or older, you can prevent an extensive amount of damage to the interior of your home and its contents by having someone come out to assess the situation. According to building supplies manufacturer Owens Corning, the following is a list of signs you’re roof needs to be replaced:

• Shingle edges are curled, or shingle tabs are cupped or cracked.
• Bald spots where granules are missing
• Your roof is at least 20 years old.
• The roof looks old and worn.
• Dark streaks from airborne algae
• Moss

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Dont Forget The Cost Of Removing The Old Roof

Its easy to get carried away when you are trying to figure out the cost of your new roof using the price of shingles in your local roofing depot and a calculator. We have already discussed how these prices dont include installation which is why they are cheaper than your roofers quote but its also easy to overlook the cost of taking off the old roof and disposing of the waste material. Any quote is going to include tear off and disposal charges. So it is possible to calculate per roof square how much it will cost to take off the old roof? Yes it is.

It can cost as much as $55 per roof square so this is a helpful calculator to use when you are trying to work out a price for your roof job or check a quote. This amount is per shingle layer, some roofs may have more than one layer as it is not uncommon to put one roof layer on top of another.

Cost Of Aluminum Vs Steel Shingles

Its important to note that pricing will vary depending on the type of metal you want. Aluminum is a premium material, priced at about $4 per sq.ft.

Aluminum shingles are actually installed very rarely, and few manufacturers offer them. As a result, you will have less color and style options.

The two most reputable and commonly used companies are Interlock and Classic Metal Roofs.

Steel shingles are the most common. They cost less than aluminum, about $3.00 per square foot You will have a lot more style and color options, and there are many manufacturers to choose from.

Tamko manufactures the most budget-friendly, but great quality steel shingles. EDCO product lines are in the middle of the price range, while Matterhorn products are the most expensive.

Additionally, you will see a difference in price of metal shingles depending on the color you want.

Standard metal roofing colors can cost as low as $2.65/sq.ft, while premium, or two-tone colors start out at about $3.75/sq.ft. and can go up to $4.75/sq.ft.

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How To Measure A Roof

To measure a roof, you will need to secure a ladder safely to your roof so that you can climb up and get accurate measurements using a measuring tape. If you are unable to secure a ladder to your roof, then you should find a friend or family member you can stand at the base of the ladder and hold it to prevent it from moving. Wear sturdy boots to climb up the ladder onto the roof, and ideally, wear a construction helmet.

Once you are on the roof, you will need to measure the length and the width of the roof. Take care when walking across your roof to not damage the roof and also to prevent yourself from falling off the roof and sustaining injuries.

Take a note of both the length and width of the roof in feet. Once you are back on solid ground, you can multiply these two numbers together to find the total square footage of the roof. For example, if your roof is 80 feet wide and 25 feet long, then you will do the calculation of 80 multiplied by 25, which would give you the result of 2000 square feet.

Once you have the total area of your roof in square feet, it is a simple calculation to find out how many squares your roof has. You will need to divide your square foot result by 100. Following on from our earlier example, a roof with a square footage of 2000 would need to be divided by 100, giving the result of 20.

Though it may seem like an overly complicated method of measurement, it actually makes the whole process of roofing much simpler once you have the hang of it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Shingles

Here are the answers to some of the most questions homeowners have when they are considering installing a metal shingle roof on their house.

Can you walk on metal shingles?

Its possible to walk on metal shingles, if your roof is not too steep. Also, keep in mind, that metal shingles will be slippery after it rains, so its best to avoid walking on the roof at that time.

Overall, its best to ask a roofing pro to come check out your metal roof if there is an issue with it, instead of walking on it yourself, unless you have experience with safely walking on a roof.

Will a metal roof make my house hotter?

You dont need to worry about excessive heat inside your home with a metal roof. In fact, the opposite will happen a metal roof will actually make your house cooler.

This is because most metal shingles come with special coatings that repel sun rays, making your home more energy efficient.

A classic dark color asphalt roof will heat up in the sun and retain heat a lot more than a metal roof.

For maximum energy efficiency, consider installing a lighter metal roofing color.

Does a metal roof interfere with cellular service/wifi signal?

You dont have to worry that installing metal shingles will cause trouble to your cell phone or internet signal. There is absolutely no evidence of a metal roof causing such issues.

How long will metal shingles last?

With quality installation, you can be sure that your metal shingles roof will last at least 40-50 years.

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We are going social and have created a new Facebook group for people who want to know more about roofs, roofing problems, fixes, ask pros, etc. Feel free to join. It is a private group so once we get your request to join we will approve it as quickly as possible.

Cost To Remove Asphalt Shingles

Removing asphalt typically costs between $3 and $5 per square foot. One benefit of asphalt shingles is that they can go directly on top of your old shingles provided the roof deck is in good condition.

If the roof deck is in bad shape, you have two or more shingle layers, or if your current roof is shake-shingled, roofers will need to remove all the old materials and roofing. Ask a roofing specialist near you to include this step in the estimate so you arent surprised by the added cost later on.

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Roof Replacement Labor Costs

Labor typically accounts for 60% of the total cost of a roof replacement. So, if your roof replacement costs a total of $9,000, about $5,400 is likely for labor. The actual labor costs of your roof replacement will depend on the size of the crew and how much time your roof replacement takes.

Usually, roofers are paid at a rate of about $130 per hour and general roof laborers work for about $35 per hour.

With labor taking up such a large portion of the costs, its important to make sure you pick the right roofing company to get the job done. Here are a few things to consider when comparing roofing contractors:

Geographic Considerations: Higher Cost Per Sq Ft In Expensive Coastal Cities

There will always be significant variations in quoted prices, depending on the contractor you choose to hire and your homes location. For instance, asphalt shingle replacement prices in the deep South think South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and most of Louisiana will generally be significantly lower as low as $4.00 per sq. ft. installed. Compare this to the average prices charged in expensive coastal cities on the East or West coast, which can be as high as $5.50 to $8.50 per sq. ft. to install/replace a typical 30-year architectural shingles roof.

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Cost To Remove Old Roofing Materials

Before your roofer can install new shingles, he needs to remove the old roof. Removal and tear off fees can be expensive.

It costs as much as $55 per square to take down one layer of old shingles, and $84 per square to tear off two layers. So if you need to remove 2,000 sq.ft. of old materials you will be spending $1,000 1,680, depending on the number of layers.

How Much Does Home Depot Roofing Cost Per Square

A recent quote from Home Depot for replacing a 2,000 square foot roof with a new asphalt roof was $21,481 which is $1,074 per square, or $10.74 per square foot. Another quote from Lowes for a 1,650 square foot home was $16,800, which is $1,018 per square or $10.18 per square foot. Both houses had a pitch in the region of 5/12.

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Roofing Labor Costs Per Square And Square

Labor costs for roofing projects range between $150 and $300 per square or $1.50 and $3 per square foot. However, several factors can influence the labor costs, such as the quality of the material you plan to install and the condition of the existing roof structure.

Pro Tip: Labor and overhead costs usually take 60 percent of the total project cost. For instance, labor and overhead will take around $4,500 of a $7,500 roofing project.

What About The Waste Factor Should I Order Extra Roofing Materials

You want to order extra material to account for waste. Waste factors vary.

10%-15% is a good rule of thumb, but your results may be different. More complicated roofs will have a higher waste factor because there are usually more cut shingles around corners, walls, and edges.

It is okay to have a few shingles left over. They can be saved in case there is roof damage later or if repairs need to be done in the future.

So for the 24 square roof example, you would want to add 2.4 squares which equal about 7 or 8 more bundles.

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How Much Does It Cost To Tear Off And Replace Your Roof Based On The Roofing Material

Now you know the price most homeowners will pay to tear off and replace their roof. Remember, the number above is based on architectural asphalt shingles.

But what if you want a different roofing material besides an architectural asphalt shingle? To be a little more specific, Ill be giving you the cost per square foot of the 5 common roofing materials.

By using the numbers below and multiplying them by the square footage of your roof, youll get a good idea of how much itll cost to tear off and replace your roof.

Disclaimer: These numbers arent perfect. The actual price youll pay depends on multiple cost factors that are based on your specific roof and the contractor you hire.