A ‘roofing square’ is not a physical square on your roof; instead, it’s the industry standard used to measure your roof. Specifically, one roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof area. Why is this so important? Because it’s the standard unit used by roofing contractors when estimating roofing materials and costs for a project
What Is a Roof Square Used For?
Understanding roofing squares can be crucial, especially if you’re planning a roofing project. It helps you grasp the scale of the work involved and allows you to compare quotes effectively from various contractors. Moreover, being familiar with this term can help you communicate better with roofing professionals and ensure that you’re on the same page regarding the scope and cost of your roofing project.
How to Measure a Roofing Square
You can estimate the square footage of your roof by measuring the length and width, multiplying them to get the square footage, and then dividing the square footage by 100 to calculate the square of roofing.
To give you a practical example, let’s say you have a roof that measures 3000 square feet. In roofing terms, you have a 30 square roof (3000 ÷ 100 = 30). This means that your roofing contractor will need to order enough materials to cover 30 squares.
Similarly, if a roofer tells you that your new roof will cost $350 per square, you’re not looking at a $350 total bill. Instead, you’ll multiply the number of squares (in our example, 30) by the cost per square ($350), equaling a total cost of $10,500.
Roofing Squares Accounting for Pitch?
The concept of roofing squares applies no matter what type of roof you have. Whether it’s a flat roof, a sloped roof, a gable roof, or a roof with multiple valleys and peaks, the area will still be measured in squares. For instance, a complex roof with various angles and pitches might have an area of 4500 square feet. This would translate to 45 roofing squares.
While the steepness of the pitch of your roof doesn’t increase the number of squares, it may increase your total cost per square. That’s because steeper roofs require extra labor to construct, so installation costs may be higher than on flatter roofs. Make sure you get an exact quote from your local roofing contractor (Like Perrault Construction) before proceeding with any project.
Conclusion: Demystifying Roofing Squares
In essence, a roofing square is a foundational concept in the world of roofing. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor, a DIY enthusiast, or a homeowner planning your next big project, understanding what a roofing square is and how it’s used can make the process smoother and more transparent. Remember, when it comes to roofing, knowledge is power!