How To Determine How Many Shingles Needed For Roof

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.

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Below, there is a simple triangle, and the math used to work out how to make a proper measurement. Once you work through the basic triangle, we will review a typical roof, and how to apply some simple math to calculate how much material you will need for a roof used in our hypothetical example.

1 roof square = 100 square feet The length times the height of a triangle is twice its area . So if you divide your answer of a product of length times height by two, you will get the area of a triangle. /2 = Area

In Figure above: l=30 feet h=12 feet /2 = 180 square feet

Now that the basic concept has been covered, lets take a look at a more complex roofing system. In this overhead view you see both a hip-end section, and gable ends. With a more complex roof such is this one, it is highly recommended that you make a basic sketch. By doing so, it will be easier to mark your measurements, and calculate the necessary materials for the project. For this example we will break this roof up into sections labeled A through E.

In the figure B. above, a sketched portion is a basic triangle. As we did in the first example, measure the length of the eaves, and the vertical line from the eaves half way point to the peak. Multiply these numbers, and then divide the answer by two./2 = 270 square feet

S1 = /2 = 135 square feetS2 = 50 × 15 = 750 square feetS3 = /2 = 135 square feet

How Many Roofing Shingles Do I Need

To estimate how much roofing material you need, such as bundles of architectural shingles or rolls of synthetic roofing underlayment, you need to know the total square footage of your roofs surface.

How to Calculate Total Square Footage of Your Roof

To find your roofs total square footage:

Example #1: Shed Roof with One Roof Plane

For example, this shed roof has one roof plane.

Multiply length times width :

A x B = 40 x 30 = 1200 sq. ft. for the total square footage of the roof.

Example #2: Gable Roof with Two Roof Planes

This gable roof has two planes.

So to derive the total square footage of the roof, you would:

For example:

• Plane 1 : 40 x 30 = 1200 sq. ft.
• Plane 2 : 40 x 30 = 1200 sq. ft.
• Plane 1 + Plane 2 = 2400 sq. ft. for the total square footage of the roof.

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How Many Nails Required

After you are done calculating the total square footage, you need to determine the number of nails you will need.

Usually 4 nails are used per shingle. As mentioned earlier, shingles come in three tabs, which means you would need around 1,120 nails/sq.

If you live in a high windy area, then you will need 6 nails per shingle, which brings the count to 1,680 nails/sq.

This calculation is based on 280 shingle squares, according to the gable roof measurement. For the right nailing pattern, refer to the instructions that comes with the shingles.

And this is how you measure your roof area and the number of shingles and nails needed. If you are looking for more informatory articles such as this, then visit Epic Home Ideas.

Plan For Waste Factor

The only roof that will generate no waste from cutting is that rare simple gable whose roof length is divisible by the 3-ft. length of a shingle. Other simple gable roofs will require cut shingles at the rakes. From there, the waste factor increases with every obstruction, such as a chimney, and with every hip or valley.

Laminated shingles typically generate less waste than three-tab shingles do because you dont have to maintain a cutout pattern, but its tricky to determine exactly how many square feet of shingles you will be able to salvage. Its best to plan your order using the same waste factor that you would use for three-tab shinglesat worst youll just have a couple of bundles to return.For a simple roof, I generally figure 1 percent as a waste factor. On a complex roof with open valleys, I add 5 percent and sometimes more. Theres no calculation you can use to determine the extra shingles youll need for waste. With experience estimating jobs, youll get a feel for how many extra shingles to order.

Waste is also generated when shingles are damaged, which is inevitable when youre moving shingles around a steep roof slope and some will slide off. You may be able to salvage part of the damaged shingle, but dont count on it. You can also waste shingles when you nail them improperly and have to remove them. You may drive nails too low in the exposure or fasten one off a control line.

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How To Lay Shingles

Many people wonder how to lay shingles on the roof, but in their majority, home owners pay contractors thousands of dollars for a job that is not difficult to do. If you consider working on this project on your own, here is a set of instructions on how to lay shingles.

Step 1Determine the Number of Shingles Needed

Estimate how many shingles it will take to cover the whole roof area. Start by measuring from the peak to the overhang at the lower edge of the roof. Get the total area in square feet and subtract the area covered by chimneys and other surfaces that do not require shingles. The result will determine how many shingles are needed for the project. Go to a home improvement store to buy a sufficient number of shingles needed to cover the entire roof.

Step 2Prepare Everything Needed

Make sure to be fully prepared with all necessary tools and materials before you start laying shingles on the roof. Other materials needed include a roofing nailer, felt paper, starter strips, and utility knife.

Step 3Remove Old Shingles

Replace old shingles if required. Do not lay the new shingles on top of the old ones since it will increase the chances of leaks. Tear the old shingles away from the roof first.

Step 4Prepare the Roof

Step 5Start Laying Shingles

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.

Read Also: When Should You Replace Your Roof

Find Out What Size Dumpster You Need For A Roof Tear Off

Tearing off a roof is a work intensive process, and it requires a lot of planning. Milwaukee Dumpster Rental offers roofers and homeowners alike reduced pricing for dumpsters used to dispose of asphalt shingles and roofing materials. We’ll help you figure out what size dumpster you’ll need for your roofing tear off.

How To Measure A Roofing Square

Starting a new roofing project can introduce homeowners to many roofing-specific terms, and one of the first you’re likely to come up against is “roofing square.” Measuring in squares is unique to the roofing industryfor homeowners, understanding how these measurements work can be an unfamiliar but vital part of planning for your roof repair or replacement.

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How Much Does A Bundle Of Shingles Weigh

A bundle of shingles weighs anywhere from 60 to 80 pounds. Most bundles are in the 70-pound range. A bundle must be light enough to be handled by your average-sized adult. Therefore, you will not find bundles that way anywhere beyond 80 pounds.

Very thick laminated architectural shingle bundles may weigh less if it requires 4 bundles to make a square of roofing. In that case, each bundle will cover a smaller area and will thus weigh less. However, the majority of shingle bundles will have a similar weight.

How Many Rolls Of Felt Will You Need

Roofing felt is sold by the roll. The average roll of 15-pound roofing felt covers about 400 ft2, or 4 squares, while the average roll of 30-pound roofing felt covers about 200 ft2, or 2 squares.

Rolls of felt are 36 wide x 144 long for 15# and 72 long for 30#. Consider other underlayment options as needed, such as rubber or tar products.

Recommended Reading: How To Waterproof Concrete Roof Deck

Get Your Money’s Worth With A Good Contractor

Whether replacing a broken front step or building a family room addition, most homeownersrealize that any improvement requires spending money. However, savvy consumers alsowant value for every dollar. To ensure that your money is well spent and that yourproject is a complete success, heed the following advice:

Fun Fact: When remodeling 78 percent of homeowners hire a pro 18 percentdo the work themselves. A small percentage, 4 percent hire a contractor but thenbuy their own materials, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How Much Roofing Underlayment

Up till now, we were discussing how to measure roofing shingles for re-roofing. When talking about a new roof, the same amount of square footage is required for the underlayment.

You will find underlayment in rolls of four squares each. In order to determine how many rolls of underlayment you would need, you need to divide the number of squares for 2 planes by rolls of one square.

• Rolls of underlayment required: 280 sq. ÷ 4 = 70 rolls

If you are applying the shingles over an asphalt roof, then you dont need underlayment.

Pro Tip: In order to avoid any delays in installment due to shortage of shingles, add 10% to the total material requirement for trim allowance.

Read Also: How Many Square Feet In A Roll Of Roofing Felt

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 Do I Calculate How Many Shingles I Need

To estimate how many shingles youll need, you need to know the total square footage of your roofs surface. Find this number by measuring the length and width of each plane on the roof then multiplying length times width.

Calculating the number of bundles, you need is simple if you are using shingles that come three bundles to a square. Each bundle covers 33.3 sq. ft. of roof areawhich is close enough to the 32 sq.

Thereof, How many bundles of shingles do I need for 100 square feet?

three bundles

Also to know is, How many square feet are in a bundle of shingles? 33.3 sq. ft.

Subsequently, question is, How many shingles do I need for a 24×24 garage? Additionally, how many shingles do I need for a 24×24 garage? Three bundles are equal to one square. Each square equates to 100 square feet. In the previous example, three squares, or 300 square feet, of shingles will be needed to cover the garage roof.

Also, How many bundles of shingles do I need for 200 square feet?

How Many Bundles of Shingles Will You Need. The average bundle of shingles covers 33.3 ft2, so three bundles of shingles are needed per square.

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Roof Structural Components: Framing And Sheathing

These are the structural components to examine. The usual sign of problems is a sagging or uneven condition. Your ridge line should be straight and not sag. If its swooping down between rafters, your sheathing may be at fault.

If its sagging on the ridge line, you might have foundation damage. Check inside the home under the sag for cracking drywall and doors that drag.

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.

Also Check: How To Scale A Roofing Business

Whats Your Roof Slope

You will also need to know the slope of your deck.

To determine this, measure the vertical rise of your deck in inches over a 12 horizontal distance.

If this rise is 4, then your roof slope is 4 in 12.

Roof slopes are always expressed with the vertical rise mentioned first and the horizontal run mentioned second.

How Do You Calculate Shingles For A Ridge Cap

measureridgesridge shingles

Confirm that the ridge cap shingles will cover the nails of the overlapping shingles. Create at least one ridge cap shingle by cutting a 3–tab shingle at the slot. Use a utility knife and a straight edge to make the cut.

Furthermore, can you use architectural shingles for ridge cap? Some roofers will cut shingles into pieces and use these pieces for the hip and ridge cap, regardless of which shingle is being used on the roof. The thicker Cambridge shingles are not designed for ridge caps. They do not lay flat and some may crack or break when you bent them over the ridges.

Also asked, how do you figure out how many shingles I need for my roof?

Divide the total footage by 100 to determine the number of squares in the roof. Determine the bundles of shingles needed to cover the roof. It takes three bundles to cover a square if you use 3-tab shingles, the most common type.

How much is a ridge cap?

They sell in 4-foot sections for $8 to $12 per section. The average home with a peaked roof will require 40 to 50 feet of material for a total cost of $80 to $150.Ridge Vent Cost Per Foot.

Recommended Reading: How Can I Tell If My Roof Is Leaking

Instructions For The Shingle Calculator

Enter the approximate value for how many square feet the house has in the first number box.

Select how steep the roof is. A 4/12 pitch is relatively easy to walk, an 8/12 is very difficult to walk, and a 12/12 is impossible to walk.

Select the complexity of the roof. One roof line is simple, two to four roof lines is average, and anything over four roof lines is complex.

Choose whether or not your roof is new or will have multiple layers to remove.

Finally, choose what type of new roofing will be used.

This calculator is only an estimation. It is not as accurate as measuring each roof plane and adding the square feet together. It does take into account for an average number of offsets and an overhang. It also takes into account for the starters, the edges, and the ride caps. The squares returned include everything.

The formula for solving for the area of a roof involves climbing onto the roof. Measure each roof plane. For shapes such as trapezoids, triangles, and trapeziums, find the average length by finding the center of the width. Remember to add two feet for valleys. Add the square footage of all of the roof planes together. Divide this by one hundred for the number of squares. There are three bundles of shingles for each square.

To determine how many will be needed for starters and edges, measure the entire perimeter of the roof and divide it by three. Since there are twenty six shingles in a bundle of twenty year shingles , divide the result by twenty six.