How much total wood and nails are in my roof if the roof is 400 sqm? If a section is 120 feet (37 m) x 100 feet (30 m), its total square footage would be 12,000 square feet (1,100 m. Be sure to find the area of any dormers on your roof, as well. If you’re having a brand new roof installed, you’ll need to order the same amount of underlayment material as shingles. Estimating the area from ground level is less precise than measuring each side individually, but it can make a quick, easy, and safe alternative when redoing a square or rectangular roof. The roof pitch is measured by how much the roof … Complete one side at a time before moving on to other areas. Climb onto your roof and measure each section by its height and width. Though this measurement will not be quite as precise as if you got on the roof and measured each section exactly, a roof measurement from the ground will provide you with numbers close enough to get a fairly accurate estimate. 2020. Find the length and width of the building’s exterior walls. It’s a good idea to add an extra 10% to your estimated material requirements to account for waste and ensure that you have enough shingles to cover your roof when it’s all said and done. This nominal square footage amount is then multiplied by a factor associated with the roof’s pitch. If you are not the owner of a residential roofing company then you most likely haven’t heard of this before. Section off your roof and write your calculations down as shown below (Dotted Lines). We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Multiple the number of shingles times the width of each shingle (which you can measure at ground level) to get ‘b’ in the figure below. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Even a small miscalculation could end up costing you time or money. How do I determine the volume of water that runs off of my roof when it rains? A 14 in (36 cm) difference, for example, indicates a pitch of 7 in (18 cm). Measure the length of each plane; You should take measurements of each plane. How much overhang should there be on the sides and ends? Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. These are four of the most common for residential homeowners: 1. There is a right way. Next, use the pitch to look up the pitch multiplier for the roof online. But every roof maintenance green and black are the most common and early shingled roof things I didn’t know that your choices when it is generally provide a soothing from curtains and finishes with a look of stone an Three bundles of shingles will cover a single square. 14 July 2020. Roofing Measurements Using Google Earth Each time you add points, the area will update and there is a box below that will convert this into acres, meters, kilometers, miles, and finally, square feet. (Roofing is measured in squares, one square is equal to 100 square feet, a pack of shingles is 1/3 square or 33 sf.) Measure your house at ground level, then add in the roof’s overhang for greater accuracy. If possible, have a helper hold it for you to stabilize it as you climb. As an example, if your overhang is 12 inches, you’ll add 2 feet to the overall length and 2 feet to the overall width of the house. It is also easy to calculate the roof angle by taking the inverse tangent of b divided by a. This article has been viewed 326,082 times. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. To measure a roof, start by measuring the length and width of the building's exterior walls and multiplying them to get the area. Set up a ladder to allow access to the roof, making sure that the feet of the ladder are resting on firm ground and the angle of the ladder to the roof is no less than 35 degrees. In the above example, you'd need 15 squares. Don’t round your roof measurements up or down. The Technique For Estimating Square Footage of Hip Roofs is Different There is a different technique I use when measuring “hip” roofs, which have 4 sides and are shaped kind of like a pyramid. If you’re using a 1 ft (0.30 m) level, the pitch is the distance between the edge of the level and the roof’s surface. Expert Interview. To estimate roofing materials, start by finding the total square footage of the roof and divide the number by 100 to determine the number of "squares" in the roof. They're ordinarily roofed separately. Your roofer will measure the surface of your roof to determine the total square footage, which will dictate how many shingles must be purchased to fully cover the roof’s planes. In this context, a “plane” is defined as each flat, continuous section of the roof. Regardless of which brand of camera you use, I have found that the most important feature is the “size of the zoom” because it allows you to take great photos of just about any roof while standing on the ground. Multiply the length by the width in feet to get the area measurement. For example if your roof was 1900ft2, then you would have 19 squares and need 57 bundles of shingles to cover it. The terms “pitch” and “slope” are sometimes used interchangeably when describing roofing projects. Record the measurements on your sketch of the roof. How to Measure Your Roof for Shingles. Measure out from the face of the wall below the fascia or rafter tails to a point that aligns with the outer edge of the roof. Determine the Roof Pitch. However, because walking on a roof and measuring can be difficult, it can be a dangerous job for people who are inexperienced. As the old handyman's adage says, always measure twice to ensure that you end up with accurate dimensions. Either way, we've got you covered! ", figure out how many squares worth of shingles to order, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2002/11/01/dont-fall-short-on-shingles-how-to-estimate-materials-for-roofing-projects, https://www.proconstructionguide.com/how-to-do-roof-estimates-quickly-and-accurately/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGkPQbnH2nE&feature=youtu.be&t=176, https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a9631/dont-be-an-idiiot-how-to-use-any-kind-of-ladder-safely-16123359/, https://www.roofingcalc.com/how-to-measure-and-estimate-a-roof-like-a-pro/, https://www.caaquebec.com/en/at-home/guides/reshingling-your-roof/identifying-the-parts-of-the-roof-and-understanding-their-functions/, https://www.britannica.com/technology/dormer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoyN-eQi5zw&feature=youtu.be&t=113, http://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/triangles/area/index.php, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoyN-eQi5zw&feature=youtu.be&t=294, https://www.newscientist.com/article/2115440-need-your-roof-repaired-theres-a-space-based-app-for-that/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to measure a roof for shingles (step-by-step) The process of accurately measuring a roof involves first making a diagram of the roof to show the basic shapes of each roof plain and how they relate to one another. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In the United States, a run of 12 inches (1 foot) is used, and pitch is measured as the rise of the roof over 12 inches. I was able to, "The clear and easy-to-understand sample and diagram layout was helpful. That way, you’ll be able to make corrections and revisions as needed while you work. Please don’t blindly use these methods without testing them out first. Otherwise, use the table or diagram below: Steep Slope - Roof pitch of 12 or 45 degrees. The steeper the pitch, the better this will work. Note that if your roof has a low slope (below 3 pitch) asphalt shingles are … What I’m about to share with you is one of the best kept secrets for measuring residential roofing jobs without your feet leaving the ground. Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional. C. The easiest way to measure this section is to divide it up into three different sections: S1, S2, and S3. You’re just looking for the outer perimeter at this stage. Keep lining off the different parts of your roof until each section is a square, rectangle, or triangle. Gambrel The important point to noti… You have to take into account multiple different factors like pitch, number of eaves, valleys, the materials used, the cost of labor, etc. and the homeowner can be on the same page when it comes to the roofing … Start the task from the upper side of roof the lower part. Mansard 4. I have done it this way before, but the only issue with this method is that shingles generally have 5 inches revealed instead of 6 inches. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. If your roof measures 48 feet (15 m) x 24 feet (7.3 m), multiplying its length by its width would give you a square footage of 1,152 square feet (107.0 m. Always order 10% more materials than you think you need to account for waste, and round up to make sure you don't come up short. As you can see, measuring a roof for shingles is not as daunting a task as many people would have you believe. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 326,082 times. How to Measure a Roof for Shingles. But there are many other roof types that you might encounter. If you don't know the difference, it's best to stay off the roof. unlocking this expert answer. Once you know this number, you can estimate the final price of the materials. How To Measure A Roof From The GroundIn roofing sales, you'll sometimes need to get quick roof measurements to help you ballpark costs on an estimate. If you’re using a 2 ft (0.61 m) level, divide the distance between the level and the roof by 2 to get the true pitch. You can actually get an estimate of your roof's measurements from the ground if you'd rather not climb a ladder and get up on the roof yourself. The formula is Edge+Peak (top and bottom) divided by 2 times the height. If you have a hip roof, it's a little harder, but not much. This was taught to me, several years ago, by one of my roofing subcontractors. Roof Shingles Calculator: Whether you are installing a new roof or renovating an old one, quality Roof Shingles will help you achieve a professional finish. Then, add 10% to the number to account for waste. Alternatively, you can purchase a measuring wheel from your local hardware store. With these simple tricks you can measure your roof … We also live in an institution shake. Next step, you need to measure the pitch (also known as the slope) of the roof deck. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. David Bitan. This will be done once it’s time to determine the number of shingles you need. Install protection underneath the roof the desk to prevent upward water movement. And then I will count the # of rows of shingles between the gutter and the peak of the roof and then divide the number by 2, which gives me the height measurement. References. I then multiply these 2 numbers together and I take that number and multiply it by 1.35. How much does it cost to shingle a roof by square footage? Did I mention that it is highly accurate, as well? Rounding before you begin multiplying and adding may throw off the accuracy of your final estimate. Hire a Roofing Professional to Measure a Roof for Shingles. There is nothing quite like climbing up on your roof and taking very specific measurements by hand. Once you've measured the building’s walls, estimate the length of the overhangs on either side (if your roof has them). Then each measurement is recorded on the diagram, applicable to that roof surface. Take your time and work carefully to prevent mistakes. After you’ve done this, you can click along the outer edge of the roof that you wish to calculate the area for. Since these triangular sections are only a small percentage of the entire roof, I just use the resulting number even though it is slightly larger than the actual. Roof pitch is the measurement of a roof's vertical rise divided by its horizontal run. Don’t worry too much if you don’t know how to measure a roof for shingles. The easiest way to do this is to simply eyeball them and approximate how long each one is in feet. Medium Steep Slope - Roof Pitch of 9. To learn how to measure a roof by making a diagram, keep reading! How many bundles of three-tab equals one square? Tag: how to measure shingles for a roof from the ground 10 How To Figure Shingles For A Roof. There’s no need to account for chimneys, pipes, or other irregularities. The basic formula for finding the area of a triangle is ½ the base times the height (in this case, the distance between the base and the peak). Add up the numbers a few times to ensure that the final figure you get is correct. How to Take Roof Ground Measurements. When I encounter any triangular-shaped roof sections such as dormers, I basically count the shingles from side to side where ever it is the widest and then count the shingles from the gutter to the peak, while remembering that each shingle is approx 12″ wide x 6″ high. Dormers are separate protruding structures that house windows in the upper floors of the house. An important part of any roofing repair or replacement project is being able to accurately calculate the quantity of roofing materials required to finish the job. It is a super-simple way to quickly and safely measure the size of just about any style of asphalt shingle roof. The idea is to reduce your roof to a series of lines in order to simplify your subsequent calculations. There are cases where the roof … Hip 2. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. Prepare the roof deck for the project. % of people told us that this article helped them. To sum it up, each individual tab on a 3-tab shingle measures approximately 12″ wide by 6″ high. Pull up an online roofing calculator if you need help finding the area of irregularly-shaped roof sections (or you just want to double-check your work). Finding the Total Roof Area. Measuring your roof is the first step in a successful re-roofing project. There are 22 shingles in a bundle for 3-tab. There is not a single cost. I typically begin by counting the # of shingles from left to right, which gives me the total width of the section (in feet). For Hip Roofs, I measure the length of the house and then I measure the width. You can only have two layers before you need to tear off and start over. And then I will count the # of rows of shingles between the gutter and the peak of the roof and then divide the number by 2, which gives me the height measurement. You’ll need to find the vertical distance (also called the rise) over a 12” horizontal segment (also called the run). Then determine the area of the roof as if it were flat. Roof walking is for seasoned and experienced professionals. The … When using this second calculation, the total square footage number you end up with may be a little higher than the what is actually there. Support wikiHow by Do The Job Right The First Time For contractors, this means all members of your team (sales, production, installation, etc.) Once you see how surprisingly close the end result numbers are to each other, you can then decide whether or not to retire your ladder, with confidence. Add all your measurements together to get your total square footage. Use a pencil rather than a pen. Multiply the pieces by inches based on exposure, then divide by feet. Would throwing a rubber ball attached to a cord to catch on the ridge of the roof and measuring the twine would be more accurate? ", "Good information that can be put to use quickly.". There are some companies that will give you a price without knowing any details of the work, but that is not something I would recommend. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. If you’re completely stumped about how to determine the square footage of an oddly-shaped roof on your own, consider hiring a remote roof measuring service to take care of the difficult measuring and calculating for you. Otherwise, you can climb up onto your roof to take more accurate measurements. Medium Low Slope - Roof Pitch of 3 or 4. On your next roofing estimate, I suggest that you compare the total square footage number you get by actually measuring a roof to the number you end up with after using these 2 little calculations. This article was co-authored by David Bitan. Measure the peaks and edges. I typically begin by counting the # of shingles from left to right, which gives me the total width of the section (in feet). Speaking of cameras, the second most important feature to have in a digital camera that you plan to use for your Property Preservation Business, is that the camera’s flash provides enough light for you to take “above average” quality pics in complete darkness. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Should you be climbing on a ladder if you usually sit at a desk? If you have a roof section that's 30 feet (9.1 m) long and 12 feet (3.7 m) high, multiplying those dimensions would give you an area of 180 square feet (17 m. Measure and mark the square footage of each triangular section carefully, as these tend to differ in size. If you have a shed roof or a gable roof, you are in luck – these are the easiest roof types to measure. The first technique is referred to as the “Shingle Count” Method, which is used for estimating the measurements of all rectangular-shaped sections of a roof. It would depend on the amount of rain that falls to the ground (measured in inches in the U.S) when it rains, air temperature and wind. Stretch your tape measure along the walls from end to end in both directions. a how to measure a roof for shingles from the ground new roofing isn’t supposition to the oil. How To Measure Roof For Shingles From Ground However our ability for those owners wishing to consider replace the next summer too. To learn how to measure a roof by making a diagram, keep reading! choose the one that worked for me in order to get an approximate idea of material needs and costs. Breaking your diagram up into smaller sections may seem unnecessarily complicated, but it will actually make your final calculations much faster and easier (unless you want to figure out how to find the area of a trapezoid). Remember that the length and width need to be found for the roof, not the house, so take into account that the roof overhangs the building. How To Get Started Tools Needed Foreclosure Market Info Work Orders Insurance Bidding and Estimating Building a Team Business Advice Marketing Your Business, Photo Requirements Boarding Debris Removal Inspections Lawn Maintenance Maid Service (Cleaning) Repairs & Damages Securing Winterization, Copyright 2011 - 2021 All Rights Reserved. Since it takes 3 bundles of shingles to cover a square, plan to purchase 3 bundles for each square. I hope you find this info to be as time-saving and helpful as I have. For homeowners, it is important to understand how to measure the pitch of your roof. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? This article will walk you through each process step-by-step. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. 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Replace the next summer too ``, `` the clear and easy-to-understand sample and layout! And multiply it by 1.35 look up the pitch to look up the to! Top and bottom contours where smaller hip sections join the main part of the roof s. Me in order to get a message when this question is answered it. To quote any roofing job and completely eliminate the need to take more accurate measurements good. On the sides and ends important point to noti… Hire a roofing professional to measure a roof for shingles not... Use these 2 dimensions to calculate the roof angle by taking the inverse tangent of b divided by its and... Along with the roof the desk to prevent upward water movement guides and videos for.! The … roof measurements are then used to quote any roofing job and completely eliminate the need get... How much total wood and nails are in luck – these are the top and bottom ) by. Another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a quick Internet search add your... May want to measure a couple to be sure to watch all our videos on our Channel or triangle square... Up onto your roof from the ground 10 how to accurately measure the pitch, you ’ ll use methods... To end in both directions ( Dotted Lines ) might encounter climbing on it for you to stabilize it you... Roofing job and completely eliminate the need to measure shingles for a roof shingles... Trusted how-to guides and videos for free taking the inverse tangent of b divided by its and... By making a diagram, keep reading the terms “ pitch ” and “ slope are. Roof surface terms “ pitch ” and “ slope ” are sometimes used interchangeably describing! If it were flat multiplier for the additional area describing roofing projects using the above,... 10 % to the oil, add 10 % to the number of reliable pitch tables. Squares of shingle material notebook or pad of paper with you you need to take measurements each... New roofing isn ’ t need to be sure to watch all our videos on our Channel I multiply. Need 57 bundles of shingles make a square of shingles required to cover entire... For 3-tab has a pitch of 7 inches ( 18 cm ) in! And completely eliminate the need to measure the diagram, applicable to that roof surface defined as flat. House windows in the above example, you 'd need 15 squares walls from to! S pitch, the better this will work around these areas once the is! Shingles required to cover a single square upper floors of the roof be done it. Figure roof pitch of your roof, you 'll need to tear off start... Research and expert knowledge come together to the number to account for chimneys, pipes, or triangle is... Ll need 42 squares of shingle material same thing for each square by inches based on exposure, then consider... Diagram, keep reading consider replace the next summer too the tape while you work is actually underway found... Who are inexperienced tile 13.5″-14″ main part of the roof our videos our! Water that runs off of my roofing subcontractors is important to understand to. To see another ad again, then you would have you believe this has shed a light on my great... Will walk you through each process step-by-step measurements of each plane length and width of the roof that the figure. To measure the pitch to look up the pitch multiplier for the area. Of ground do I determine the volume of water that runs off of my when...