Importance of using a roofing square estimator:

There are the following benefits of using roof estimators when installing new roofs or replacing old ones.

●      Cost Efficiency:

When you measure the whole surface area and then purchase all the required materials according to the area, it will be cost-effective for you. In this way, material will not be wasted and your money will be saved.

●      Time Management:

When roofing contractors measure the surface area before the start of the project, it will lead to smooth work without any wastage of time. Shortage of material will also not waste time and the project will be completed on time.

●      Structural Integrity:

After proper measurement of the roof, all the materials will be used. When the roof is constructed with complete materials it will ensure the safety of the whole building.

●      Professionalism:

Professional roofers give details of the area and materials required to the clients. It is an indication of professionalism. Further, it also builds trust and makes sure there are no unpleasant shocks during the work.

How to use a roof area calculator:

Now, the heart of the article comes. Here, you will be let know how to calculate the entire surface area of the roof. These steps will help you measure the area effortlessly and accurately.

Step 1: Measure the Roof’s Dimensions:

Every roof has a different dimension. Some roofs are flat, gabled, hipped, or mansard shapes. That is why, add all the dimensions of the roof separately. Measure the length and width of each side and then add up all.

Moreover, for more complex roof shapes, you can break the roof down into sections and measure each one individually. These measurements will give you the area of the roof in square feet.

Step 2: Account for the Slope of the Roof:

Mostly, roofs are not flat but have sloppy surfaces. That is why, it is crucial to calculate according to the slope of the roof. Roof pitch is expressed as a ratio, for example, 4:12, which means 4 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run. The steeper the pitch, the more roofing materials you will need.

Moreover, to calculate the area of a sloped roof, multiply the flat area by a slope factor based on the roof’s pitch. You can also use roofing calculators in this case.

There are some slope factors for different kinds of roofs:

• Flat roof: Multiply by 1.00
• Low pitch (3:12 to 4:12): Multiply by 1.15
• Medium pitch (5:12 to 9:12): Multiply by 1.25
• Steep pitch (10:12 and above): Multiply by 1.5

Step 3: Enter the Measurements into the Roof Area Calculator:

After calculating all the dimensions and slope factors for a roof, add all these calculations to a specialized roofing calculator. Many free roof area calculators can help you in estimating accurate roof areas for your roofing project.

Step 4: Calculate the Number of Roofing Squares

Now, the last step arrives in the long process of area calculation. Until now you get the total roof area in square feet. Now, divide this area by 100 to get the number of roofing squares. It will help you to find the amount of shingles and other roofing materials required.

Follow all these steps carefully because any single mistake can cause a lot of problems during work.

Steps for figuring out shingles:

Usually, shingles are purchased in bundles, and the number of bundles you need depends on the type and size of the shingle. That is why, it is essential to calculate the number of shingles required for completing the roofing work.

Standard asphalt shingles generally cover about 33.3 square feet per bundle. It means you will need three bundles to cover one roofing square (100 square feet). Here, I will give you the complete criteria for determining shingles per square foot.

●      Determine the roof area in squares:

First of all, you will divide the total roof square footage by 100 and you will get the number of squares.

For example, if your roof is 2,500 square feet, then 2500 ÷ 100, and you will get 25 squares.

●      Calculate the number of bundles:

Now, you will multiply the number of squares by 3 as you know three bundles cover one square.

For example, for a 2,500 square foot roof: 25 squares × 3 bundles = 75 bundles of shingles.

●      Consider Waste Factor:

Always remember! It is important to add some extra bundles of shingles because they can be wasted in cutting or overlapping.

For instance, For a 2,500-square-foot roof, there would be an addition of 7-10 bundles (75 × 0.10 = 7.5 bundles).

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Standing Seam Metal Roofs: Benefits, Installation

How to measure other materials with a Roof material estimator:

Now, it is the turn of other roof materials. These materials are also necessary to make your roof sturdy and durable. These materias inculde:

●      Underlayment:

Underlayment is an extra protective layer in the roof. It comes in between the surface and material of the roof such as metal and shingles. It protects against moisture and water infiltration of the roof. There are different kinds of underlayment such as:

1.     Asphalt-Saturated:

This material is made from felt which is saturated with asphalt for water resistance. It is available in different weights (e.g., 15-pound or 30-pound), with heavier weights offering more durability. Thus, these underlayments are purchased in pounds according to the square meter of the roof.

2.     Synthetic Underlayment:

It is made from polymers. It is highly durable and can tolerate severe weather changes. These are lightweight and can resist UV rays. They are also available in the range of weight so that roofers can order according to the surface area of the roof.

3.     Rubberized Asphalt Underlayment:

This type is more expensive than others. It offers efficient water resistance for the roof. Further, It is used in areas prone to ice dams or heavy rainfall, as it provides an extra seal to prevent leaks.

●      Flashing:

It is another important roof material that can be estimated by roof calculators easily. The main purpose of flashing is to prevent the roof from water leaks. It is installed around vents, chimneys, and valleys.

• Firstly, check which areas need fleshing.
• Then measure the length of each valley, chimney, and vent separately
• Sum up the lengths from all areas to determine the total linear feet of flashing required.
• Never forget to add extra flashing in case of damage.

For example, if your roof has two valleys (15 feet each), a chimney (8 feet perimeter), and two vent pipes (1 foot diameter each), you will need total flashing as follows:

• 2 valleys × 15 feet = 30 feet
• Chimney = 8 feet
• 2 vent pipes = 2 feet

Total = 30 + 8 + 2 = 40 feet of flashing

Add 10% extra for cutting and errors: 40 feet × 1.10 = 44 feet of flashing.

●      Roofing Nails:

Nails are the most important things that your roofing project cannot be complete without them. That is why, order them in large amounts so that they do not get short.

Here is an estimation of measuring nail quantity for a typical roof installation:

For instance,

For three-tab shingles, you will need about 320 nails per roofing square.

●      Ventilation:

A roof project cannot be completed until it has ventilations including ridge vents and soffit vents.

A roofing square estimator helps ensure you get accurate quantities of these materials as well. Further, specialized roof material estimates are also available that calculate these materials exactly.

1.     Determine Attic Square Footage:

Calculate the square footage of the attic space by multiplying the length and width of the attic.

For example, if the attic measures 40 feet by 20 feet

40 × 20 = 800 square feet of attic space.

2.     Calculate Ventilation Needs:

• According to 1:150 Rule:
  Divide the attic square footage by 150 to determine the total ventilation area required.
  Example:
  800 square feet ÷ 150 = 5.33 square feet of ventilation needed.

3.     Split Between Intake and Exhaust:

• Ventilation should be balanced between intake (soffit or eave vents) and exhaust (ridge, gable, or roof vents).
• Ideally, intake and exhaust should each account for 50% of the total ventilation.

For example, you need 5.33 square feet of total ventilation, split it into 2.67 square feet for intake and 2.67 square feet for exhaust.

4.     Convert to Square Inches:

• As most vents are measured in square inches, so convert square feet to square inches (1 square foot = 144 square inches).
  Example:
  33 square feet × 144 = 767.52 square inches of total ventilation.
  For intake and exhaust, it would be 384 square inches each.

Thus, A roofing square estimator helps ensure you get accurate quantities of these materials as well. Further, specialized roof material estimates are also available that calculate these materials exactly.

Get the Best Roof Estimation Services from Krown Roofing:

Do you want to make the above complex process simpler? Then, contact a professional and reliable company like Krown Roofing. Yes! We are providing free roof estimation services to our clients. Not only this, we are offering complete roofing services including roof inspection, repair, maintenance, and installation.

Also Read: How to Install Metal Roofing: Common Mistakes to Avoid for

You can find us in different cities of Montana where we provide free and accurate roof calculations. Our efficient team is dedicated to measuring the whole surface area of your roof so that you can order all the materials appropriately.