When considering replacing your roof, you will need to do a little research. During that time, there may be some terms or words that have unclear meanings. One of those words is called a “roofing square.” What is a roofing square, and why do you need to know about it? Here are a few facts you will want to understand when it comes time to replace your roof.
What Is a Roofing Square?
Determining the costs of your new roof will come down to many factors. One of those factors is a type of measurement known as a roofing square. A roofing square is a 10×10 area equal to 100 square feet of the roof’s surface. That square will determine how much material and labor are required to replace the roof. As you can imagine, more roofing squares means higher replacement costs. It can take around three bundles of roofing materials to replace a single roofing square.
Like most projects, the type of roofing material plays a prominent role in your roofing replacement project. Many homeowners will hear the term “roof square” and think it is the square footage costs of the job. To calculate the cost per square, you need to divide the price by 100. For example, if your current project is $600 per square, divide it by 100, which would come out to $6 per square foot.
How To Calculate the Roof’s Square Footage
Now that you know about a roofing square, how do you figure out the individual costs for the project? While you can roughly calculate your roof’s square footage, you will want to contact a local roofing contractor to measure the roof. For the most part, homeowners should leave any measuring jobs to the professionals.
The square footage of your home and roof might not be the same measurements. For that reason, you will need to get accurate measurements of the roof. Make sure to measure the length and width of each plane of the roof. On many roofs, there are more than two planes. Dormer windows, skylights, covered porches, and protruding garages are all elements that will cause your home to have more than two roof planes. You will also need to measure the roof’s pitch to get a more accurate measurement.
Once you get the square footage, you can use an online converter to calculate those measurements into squares. There are also online guides that can take those calculations to determine the number of square feet on your roof. Depending on the configuration of your roof, you may need to use a different formula.
How Much Material Is Needed?
All roofing materials are measured in squares. Many of these materials are sold in smaller packages than a roofing square. For example, many asphalt shingles are sold in sheets that equal only a third of a roofing square. That is why it can take about three bundles of roofing shingles to cover a roofing square.
Today, many homeowners are choosing roofing materials that are not shingles. Roofing tiles are popular options, and there can be a difference in how many tiles will fit a single roofing square. Concrete tiles will need 90 tiles to fill one square in many cases. On the other hand, clay tiles could require 80 to 100 tiles to fill that same space.
What Is the Cost Per Square?
The replacement costs of a roofing square all depend on the materials for the project. Many of these projects will have a price of $300 to $450 per square for a shingle roof. If you choose to install tiles, then those costs could increase.
Once you get all the calculations, you can plug those numbers into any roofing calculator to see a rough estimate of the costs. Many times, a roofing company can provide you with an estimate. The number of roofing squares can drive up the price of these jobs. However, there are other factors that you will need to consider for your roofing project.
The size of your roof will affect the labor and material required for the project. As you may have guessed, larger roofs require more materials and labor for the job. A roof’s pitch is another factor. Steep roofs can be challenging to install. The labor costs are increased since the technicians must take more safety precautions.
All roofing companies must remove old materials before adding new shingles or tiles. If they need to spend multiple days removing the old materials, it can increase your project costs. Also, any roof that is difficult to access will need more time and labor to finish the project.
There is one factor that can decrease your roofing costs. You could receive a discounted price if you have a roof under warranty. That discount will depend on the type of warranty and whether the damage was covered under the plan. Always read the fine print when you purchase a warranty. In some cases, an inexpensive warranty does not cover end-of-life replacement or damage caused by a lack of maintenance.
Get an Estimate from a Reputable Roofing Company
At RGB Construction, we can help measure your roofing and provide you with the correct calculations for your next project. Let us handle all the hard work. Our team will calculate the measurements and install those new materials. We also offer repair and maintenance services. Schedule a consultation by calling us at 856-264-9093.
