The roof, a critical component of any building, typically requires significant financial and temporal investments.
If you’re not a roofing contractor, you might be unfamiliar with terms like ‘shingles squares.’ What is a square of shingles on the roof? Find out more about this term roofing square below.
What is a Square of Roofing Shingles?
Shingles are the term that refers to building materials of various roofing types. They protect your roof and are attached to the sheathing. They are the first and foremost defense part of a roofing structure that is visible to the eyes. By protection here it means defense against water or UV rays to get inside the buildings.
There are numerous types of shingles available today, including slate, tile, and metal. However, most residential buildings in the USA opt for asphalt shingle material, prized for its visual appeal, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.
How many bundles of shingles are in a square? It varies. In roofing terminology, a ‘square’ refers to the amount of material needed to cover 100 square feet of roofing area, essential knowledge to calculate the square footage.
Read also: How Many Bundles of Shingles in a Square
Contractors use squares of shingles as the universal measurement for various sizes based on their capacity to cover the specific roofing area. The shingles are available in square and by bundles.
As a square of shingles should cover an equal amount of roofing area, then obviously, the numbers would increase if the shingle’s sizes are smaller.
In conclusion, the total amount of bundles required to create a square of shingles depends on what shingles’ size is used, and the tabs construction installed to roof sheathing.
What Is the Square Footage of a Square of Shingles?
When planning a roof replacement project, the first step is to measure the length and width of the size of your roof. This measurement helps calculate the number of roofing squares needed based on the total square footage and pitch of your roof. It’s crucial to accurately measure the number of roofing squares to ensure sufficient material purchase.
Read also: How Much Does a Square Of Shingles Weigh
That way, you’re able to create the correct estimation of materials needed. Roofs in the United States are measured in the unit of square footage. So, the square footage of a square of shingles is a reference unit.
Here’s how to estimate the roof area:
- First, you have to measure the dimensions of your roof by thinking it is flat.
- Measure the roof pitch and then the square footage
- Determine the amount of square footage material that you will need
- After you have estimated the roof area’s footprint, you may calculate the total area by putting the roof pitch consideration into the calculation.
Read also: The Most Common Roof Pitch to Use for Houses
The guide above is meant to be the steps to take if you use a shingles calculator. Using a calculator, you only need to input the pitch, width, and length of your roof area. Then you will find its size in the square.
It’s essential to understand that the type of shingles and the complexity of your roof can affect the total amount of material needed. For instance, a simple rectangular roof will require fewer shingles than a more complex design with multiple gables or valleys.
Now you already know what a square of shingles and the square footage, as well as how to calculate them. The calculation can be handy for estimating the number of shingles needed so that you can assess the rough cost calculation.
