When you are roofing a home, the question of how much is a square is crucial. This measurement helps you determine the amount of materials you need and how much labor will be involved. How much is a square also depends on the slope of your roof. If your roof is steep, you will need more squares to properly measure the area. When you are measuring a roof, you should make sure that you measure the materials for each square foot. roll roofing
Generally, roofing materials are measured in squares, which are ten feet by ten feet. Contractors will use this standard to price roofing materials. However, prices will increase as the roof pitch increases, the materials’ quality and weight increases, and the labor is required to install them. The more square feet you have, the higher the price will be. If you are replacing an entire roof, be sure to look for a contractor that offers warranties on its work.
If you are not sure how to measure your roof, the simplest way to estimate the square is to divide the total square feet by 100. The calculation is simple, but it’s important to note that some elements can affect the calculations. Headlap, for example, is usually not considered when estimating a square. A contractor should take this into account when quoting a new roof. If you do not understand “headlap,” hire someone who does.
The roof size also has an effect on how much your roofing materials and labor will cost per square. You may need to buy more shingles than you need for the entire roof. If you have to finish other parts of the roof soon, then it is worth it to purchase more supplies. While more squares don’t necessarily save you much money per square, they might be worth it if it will save you money on the overall project.
When calculating how much material you will need, you’ll want to include a waste factor. It’s a good rule of thumb to use about 10% to 15% of the material. This waste factor can be higher if your roof is more complex. You may need to cut a greater percentage of the shingles around the corners and edges than you would for a simpler roof. The extra shingles can be saved for repairs or roof damage. For example, if your roof is 24 squares, you’d need 2.4 squares of shingles, which would require seven or eight more bundles. In addition, you’ll also need the same amount of underlayment for the same square.
The most important factor when determining the price of a roofing square is the cost of the material used. It can vary widely between asphalt shingles and copper squares. The cost of a square will be between $80-$100 for an average asphalt shingle roof, while a standing seam copper square could cost up to $1,200. A roofing square made of cedar shingles, on the other hand, would cost around $140-$180.
