How To Estimate The Size Of A Roof
If youre replacing a roof, the first consideration needs to be the roofs size so you can accurately estimate project materials.
In the U.S., roofs are measured in square footage, and roofing contractors typically quote projects based on the size of the roof in squares. Consequently, gathering the size of the roof in squares and square footage is the first step.
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Cost Of Shingles At Home Depot Vs Roofing Supplier
If you are planning to install the shingles yourself, you may be wondering whether you can save money by buying them at Home Depot rather than a roofing supply store.
In short: Home Depot roofing shingles will be only slightly cheaper a difference of about 2.5%
Here is an example of pricing I got from Beacon Sales in West Bridgewater, MA , for CertainTeed Landmark, GAF Timberline and IKO Cambridge laminated shingles.
This chart compares the cost of asphalt shingles from Beacon vs. Home Depot
| Brand | |
|---|---|
| N/A | $25.00 / bundle or $75 / square |
Note, that prices for 3 tabs are calculated based on a quantity larger than 16 squares. The cost for architectural varieties is calculated based on a quantity larger than 12 squares.
Should You Consider Diy Roof Installation
As we discussed before, professional labor to install a new asphalt shingles roof constitutes at least 70% of the total cost. This means that you can potentially save thousands of dollars if you can do the tear off and installation yourself.
The million dollar questions is, should you?
When it comes to asphalt shingles, one of their biggest benefits is that they are extremely DIY friendly. Indeed, asphalt shingles is one of the very few roofing materials that a handy homeowner can put up on their own.
Shingle installation does not require any special tools or technical training. This is the reason why so many roofers install them its the easiest entry point in this field.
You can purchase all the necessary materials and supplies at your local big box home improvement store, and avoid the hassle of hiring a roofing company. In fact, basic 3-tab roofing shingles is one of the cheapest roofing options out there, and you can have a brand new roof for under $3,000.
Moreover, there are many step-by-step guides and YouTube videos on how do this correctly.
Keep in mind that when you buy shingles, you need to carefully measure your roof and also buy extra shingles to account for the waste factor. Typically, gable roofs require about 5% waste, while hip roofs are about 7.5%
Still, if you do everything carefully and educate yourself about the nuances of proper installation, you can do a very successful shingle install and keep thousands of dollars in your pocket.
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Gaf Shingles Pros And Cons
The biggest advantage of GAF products is that they can suit any budget, aesthetic taste and architectural home style. Because GAF is the largest and oldest roofing manufacturer in the US, you can trust the quality of their roofing materials.
However, like any other roof, these shingles have their own flaws and disadvantages.
One of the biggest is that the shingles have an up-word bent when you install them. This makes them susceptible to blow off if there is a strong wind. This is NOT a manufacturing defect its how the shingles are designed. GAF explains this in their technical installation manual and suggests that they will settle down within 4-6 weeks. Sunshine also really helps in this settling process.
The problem is that if these shingles are installed during inclement weather seasons, such as fall and winter, you are risking a much higher chance of multiple shingles getting blown off. As a result, many roofers recommend to do the roof replacement in the spring or summer.
Another is that its hard to find a certified Master Elite Roofer if you want to get the upgraded warranty. Most roofers dont want to go through GAFs training program, and there are only 2-3% professional contractors that have this certification.
Lastly, in 2013, there was a major class action lawsuit again GAF Timberline shingles, and a number of manufacturing defects have been discovered. The suit has been settled and the issues have been eliminated. We covered this lawsuit in detail, here.
Compare Shingle Prices Based On Brand
When researching various asphalt shingle products for your roof, you have surely noticed that some manufacturers and brands are more expensive than others.
However, usually for the same class products, prices are pretty competitive across manufacturers. The biggest difference between them is mostly in the brand name recognition, roofers and homeowners perception of material quality, and installers preference.
Here is a quick reference chart comparing shingle costs across the top brands: GAF, Certainteed, Owens Corning, IKO, Tamko and Malarkey.
| GAF |
|---|
| $1.58 1.70 |
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What Is A Bundle Of Shingles
A bundle of shingles is one package of shingles. Shingle manufacturers will package their bundles so that several usually 3 or 4 will add up to 100 square feet. A bundle of shingles will contain anywhere from 15 to 29 shingles, depending on the type and size.
It is important to note that there is not a uniform number of shingles per bundle. The number of shingles in a bundle will vary tremendously depending on if you have typical 3-tab versus laminated or other specialty shingles.
A bundle can only be so big. They are designed so that the average person can pick them up and move them, so you will never have one bundle drastically larger or heavier than a bundle for a different type of roof shingle.
Initially, a bundle of shingles was supposed to cover one piece of roof sheathing 32 square feet. And three bundles would add up to 100 square feet. The advent of laminated shingles, which are much thicker than standard 3-tab, have created bundles with a total area that is less than the original 32 square feet.
What Do Roofers And Homeowners Think About Gaf Shingles
Of the homeowners that love GAF, the common point of appreciation is how good the shingles look. After 10-12 years, in various US regions, many homeowners report that their roof looks very good, and that they get a lot of compliments from their neighbors on how well its holding up over the years.
Other positive reviews note that in the 10 years since the roof has been installed, there have been no issues with leaks, very easy maintenance and no need for repairs.
Many people really like the value of Timberline shingles and how easy it is to find them in local home improvement stores. They are not expensive compared to other more upscale brands, such as Malarkey, but offer comparable curb appeal. Also, homeowners note that price for Timberline is not significantly more expensive than for the 3-tab product, but they look much better.
The shingles that were praised the most were:
Timberline HD greatest number of positive reviewsTimberline ArmorShieldWoodlandSlateline
One line that got very little complaints and a lot of positive feedback was designer Country Mansion shingles. However, they have been discontinued as of 2013.
On the Home Depot website, Royal Sovereign 3 tab shingles have earned a 4.3/5 rating, 83% positive reviews and customers recommending this product. Timberline HD Weathered Wood has a 4.5/5 rating and 79% positive reviews.
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How Many Square Feet Does A Bundle Of Shingles Cover
One bundle of shingles covers roughly 33 square feet of roof. Some manufacturer bundles will cover slightly less and will range from 28 up to 33 square feet.
For some brands and types, the square feet per bundle may vary. A bundle of one type of shingle may have one extra than a bundle of the same type and brand. Some bundles will indicate a shingle minimum on the package. If that is the case, the square footage of the bundle will also vary, but not by much and it will always be at or around of 100 square feet.
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.
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How Long Will A Gaf Roof Last
Overall, research indicates that GAF roofs last as long as their primary competitors, CertainTeed, Malarkey, Atlas, Owens Corning.
The standard 3 tab shingles will have the shortest service life. This is the reason why they cost so little. Sometimes these roofs only last 5-8 years before you start to see significant granular loss, discoloration, shingles falling off or warping. This is because strip shingles have a pretty thin body, as well as lower quality adhesives and fillers that hold it together.
As a result, these roofs are intended as a short term investment, perhaps into a budget starter home, or a rental property. 3-tab shingles can also be a good fit for someone who is trying to sell their home and needs an emergency re-roof in order for the sale to go through.
GAFa architectural Timberline shingles will last longer, because they are overall better made, and are heavier and thicker. With proper installation they can last twice as long as 3-tab shingles, 15+ years.
This means that even the most expensive, premium shingle will have a relatively short lifespan, when you stack it against more expensive materials such as metal, clay tile, wood shake, and slate.
Local weather conditions will also greatly impact the performance of your shingles. If you live in areas that get severe weather on a regular basis, such as heavy rains, snow and ice storms, strong winds, severe freeze and thaw cycles, your roof will degrade much faster and will require replacement.
How Many Bundles Of Shingles Do I Need For 2000 Square Feet
The number of bundles or squares you need will depend on the surface area of your roof, and its pitch or slope. For example, a 2,000 square foot roof will require 20 squares or 60 bundles. A professional will likely purchase slightly more materials than necessary to ensure there is extra material if needed.
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How Many Shingles Do I Need For A 2424 Garage
For this example, well use the same type of roof a simple gabled roof. For our purposes, well say that the roof extends 1.5 around each side.
Well first calculate one face of the roof. The length of the roof is 24+1.5+1.5, which equals 27. The roof pitch is 4:12, which means the width of the roof is about 12.5. Add 1.5 of overhang to this number and you get 14 of roof width on one roof face.
Multiply 27 by 14 and you get 378 square feet for one roof face. The total roof area is 756 square feet. Divide this number by 100 to determine the amount of roof squares youll need, which equals 7.56 roofing squares.
Multiply 7.56 roofing squares by 3 bundles per square. Thus, 23 bundles of shingles are required to cover a 24×24 garage with 1.5 overhangs on all sides.
How Much Is A Bundle Of Shingles
Asphalt roof shingles are sold in bundles. There are 3 bundles per square. 1 square of roof area covers about 100 sq.ft.
Here is a quick look at the cost per bundle of shingles:
| Shingle Type | |
|---|---|
| $1.50 2.24 | $150-224 |
Note, the precise number of bundles you need to buy really depends on your roof size, slope , and how cut up it is. For example, a 1600 sq.ft. roof will need at least 16 squares or 54 bundles of shingles .
Keep in mind that a professional roofer will also estimate a slightly larger order of shingles, just to be on the safe side and have enough shingles to finish the job. Usually, roofers estimate about 10% waste for materials. For example, if your roof is 16 squares, your price quote will include 17 squares of roof shingles.
You may be able to get cheaper pricing if you go to a roofing supplier and by shingles from IKO, Owens Corning or Atlas.
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How To Calculate Shingles
To calculate the number of shingles youll need, youll need first to measure the square footage of your roof, which is covered above.
Once you have the square footage, divide that number by 100. This will tell you how many roofing squares you have. If your roof is 4500 square feet, divide this number by 100 and youll get 45.
Since we know that most shingles require three bundles to make a square, youll multiply 45 times 3 to find out how many bundles you will need. In this case, youll need 135 bundles of shingles.
If you want to take it a step further and calculate the amount of individual shingles youll need for your project, multiply 135 by the number of shingles indicated on the bundle.
How Many Shingles In A Bundle
Im starting to think about re-shingling my roof as its got some age and the shingles are looking a little rough. Since my roof is a couple of rectangles, its easy to calculate the surface area. I figured I could estimate how many shingles I needed and the total cost. But before I calculated the cost, I still needed to know how many shingles in a bundle?
For traditional asphalt 3-tab roof shingles, there are 26 pieces in a bundle. Architectural shingles will have around 21 shingles per bundle for similar square footage, as they are larger than standard 3-tab shingles.
Depending on the shingle manufacturer, the number of shingles in a bundle can vary widely. Since shingle dimensions vary so much, it is often helpful to have a shingle calculator to determine the number of pieces and bundles youll need for your project.
In this article, well take a look at a shingle calculator that helps you with precise estimates for your roofing material, as well as various examples of roofs and how to determine shingle bundles and squares for a new, shingled roof.
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How Many Bundles Of Shingles Do I Need For A 10×12 Shed
To calculate the amount of shingle bundles needed for a 10×12 shed, you first have to calculate the square footage of the roof.
Lets say this shed has a gable roof running parallel to the long end of the shed. The shed also has a roof overhang of 1 all around. Therefore the length of one side of the roof is 14.
The pitch of this roof is 4:12. A rough estimate of the width of one side of the roof is just a bit over 5 say 53, which is 5.25 feet. Add a foot of overhang and you get 6.25. Multiply this by 14
Multiply the two and you get 87.5 square feet. Multiply that number times two and you get 175 square feet your total roof area.
Now you need to find out how many bundles of shingles is required for 175 square feet of roofing. Divide 175 by 100 to find out how many squares of roofing you have. This equals 1.75. We know that each square of roofing requires 3 bundles of shingles, so 3 bundles of shingles times 1.75 roofing squares equals 5.25 bundles of shingles.
You still have .25 of roof leftover. It would be prudent to purchase one extra bundle of shingles to ensure you cover your entire area and to replace any damaged shingles in the future.
Thus, it takes 6 bundles of shingles to properly cover the roof of a 10×12 shed with a gabled roof and a 1 overhang around all sides.
How Is Shingle Weight Stated
The thickets bundle of shingles usually contains 4 bundles. The general term confirms that one square of shingles actually weighs between 150 and 240 lbs. Like the total weight, weight, as stated by shingles per square, can be varied depending on the original manufacturer, qualities, and not to mention the types.
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Builder Mike Guertin Explains 3 Ways To Calculate The Quantity Of Shingles You’ll Need For Your Next Roofing Job
One of the biggest challenges for experienced builder and novices alike is accurately estimating materials for a construction projectespecially for roofs, because they can be difficult to access for taking measurements.
But dont fretIn this excerpt from my book Roofing with Asphalt Shingles, I describe three reliable methods for determining the area of a roof, plus Ive included tips for estimating the number of extra shingles youll need for waste, overlaps, and starter shingles.
Note: be sure to take your time and double-check your numbers when calculating the quantity of shingles, underlayment, flashings, and other materials needed for yourroofing project. The more accurate your estimates, the less time youll waste waiting for material deliveries during the project.
What If You Have A Steep Roof
To measure a steep roof, use one of the following alternate methods:
Method 1
Calculate the roof length by measuring the exterior walls plus the overhang for the length of the house parallel to the ridge.
Next, throw a rope over the ridge and mark it where it meets each eave. This will give the width dimension to use in figuring your area. This should be done on each roof section containing a horizontal ridge.
Method 2
Determine the roof area by using a mathematical formula that accounts for the roof length, total span, and roof pitch:
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