How Big is a Roofing Square?

Roof square size

In roofing, one of the most necessary measurements is the size of a roofing square. The area covered by a roofing square is 100 square feet. That means that the square of shingles will cover 100 square feet of your roof. For a project that requires 1200 square feet of roofing material, you´ll need 12 roof squares. The area of a 40 square roof is 4000 square feet.

Knowing how to calculate roof squares will help you calculate the amount of material you need for your project.

How many bundles in a square and how many shingles?

How many bundles of shingles do you need to cover one square? To order the right amount of shingles, you have to measure accurately. 

Typically, three bundles of shingles cover one roof square. Standard shingles are 12 x 36 inches and come in packages of 29. One bundle covers about 33.3 square feet, so three bundles should cover 100 square feet.

In the same way, we can calculate how many shingles are needed per square. Three bundles of 29 shingles each make 87 shingles per square.

However, the exact number wil depend on the type and size of shingles you choose. For an accurate estimate, it´s best to talk to an experienced contractor or roofer.

Roofing per square cost

Roofing costs per square vary greatly depending on the type of roof you are building, its pitch, shape, complexity, and the material used. Asphalt shingles are generally the most affordable option, costing between $100 and $250 per square. Metal roofs tend to be more expensive, ranging from $200 to $500 per square. Slate roofs, which are considered the highest rank material, can cost up to $1,000 or more per square.

When considering the cost of a roof replacement, it´s wise to factor in labor costs as wel. Labor costs can range from $2 to $4 per square foot ($200 – $400 per square) for asphalt shingle roofing, and up to $7 per square foot for slate roofs ($700 per sqaure).

Ultimately, the cost of froof replacement wil depend on the size of your roof, the materails you choose, and the contractor you hire. Be sure to get multiple estimates from different contractors before making your decision.

10 thoughts on “How Big is a Roofing Square?”

  1. I’ve just bought my first home and I’m trying to understand some of the lingo. Can you tell me what a roofing or framing square is? Is it some kind of tool I need to buy, or is it a measurement I should know about?

    Reply
    • Hi Joe, and congrats on your new home! I appreciate you stopping by and asking this great question.
      In construction and roofing, “square” can indeed refer to two different things. First, a square can be a tool, like the rafter square you mentioned. This tool is used to mark out right angles and pitch on timber, which is particularly useful when cutting rafters for roofs.
      Second, in roofing terminology, a square is also a unit of measurement. It’s used to simplify communication between roofers, suppliers, and clients. When roofers talk about “squares”, they’re referring to an area of 100 square feet on the roof.
      So, if a roofer says your roof is 15 squares, that means your roof is 1,500 square feet.

      Reply
  2. Hey William nice website. In my construction project, the term ‘1 square of roofing’ keeps coming up. What does that mean exactly? How much area does that cover on a roof?

    Reply
    • Hello Carlos! Thanks for your question.

      In your construction project, ‘1 square of roofing’ refers to a piece of roofing material that can cover 100 square feet of roof.

      It’s a standard measurement in the industry that helps simplify calculations. So, if you’re ordering materials for a 20 square roof, you’ll need enough material to cover 2,000 square feet.

      Reply
  3. I’m a real estate agent and I often need to provide information about the properties I’m selling. How do I measure a roof to know how big it is? Is there a simple way to do it?

    Reply
    • Hi Sophie! Thanks for stoppin by and for asking your question.

      To measure a roof you’d typically calculate the length and width of each plane of the roof (including domrers) and then multiply those numbers to get the square footage.

      Add up the square footage of each plane to get the total square footage of the roof. Then divide by 100 to find out the number of squraes. This information can be really helpful when you’re providing details about the properties you’re selling.

      Reply
  4. Hi guys, I’m a retired chef and I like to understand the technicil things in detail. I’m curious about how to convert roofing squares to square feet. Is there a standard conversion factor?

    Reply
    • Hello Alonso! Thanks for your question. It’s always good to meet a fellow detail orietned person.

      To convert roofing squares to square feet, you simply multiply by 100. So if a roof is 20 squares, that’s equivalent to 2,000 square feet.

      It’s a simple conversion, but it’s crucial for understanding the size of a roof in terms taht most people are familiar with.

      Reply
  5. I’m planning to get my roof replaced and I’m trying to understand the costs. How much does a roofing square typically cost? Is it more cost-effective to buy in squares?

    Reply
    • Hi Grace! Thanks for stopping by and for your question.

      The cost of a roofing square can vary wildly depending on the material (like asphalt shingles, metal, tile…) and your loctaion. On average, you might expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $1500 per square for materials and installation. It’s always a good idea to get a few estimates from local contractosr to understand the cost in your specific area.

      Remember that a square in roofing terms is 100 square feet, so these costs are for each 100 square foot section of yuor roof.

      Reply

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