How Big is a Roofing Square?

If you’re looking into replacing your roof, you may have heard the term “roofing square” thrown around.  Confused?  No worries- we’re here to help you understand all the roofing jargon you’ll need to know for your project.

A roofing square is a unit of measurement used by roofers to understand the total surface area of your roof; a single roof square is 100 square feet- a 10ft by 10ft unit.  This unit helps roofers know how big your roof is without having to go into quadruple digits, where it’s much easier to accidentally forget a zero.  If you know your roof’s dimensions, you may be able to do this calculation yourself, especially if your roof involves only a few planes.  If you have a more complicated roof design, or only know the square footage of your home footprint, ask a roofing professional to take these measurements for you.

What is a Roof Square and How to Measure My Roof’s Size in Roofing Squares

If you remember saying in geometry class “When am I ever going to need to know how to do this?” then the joke’s on you- you’ll need to know some basic area calculations for this!  If you don’t remember geometry class that well, we won’t judge; our team can help you do this calculation.  If you want to do it yourself, here’s how!

The necessary measurements for this calculation are going to vary depending on the shape and style of your roof.  We’ll explain how to measure a basic A-frame; if your roof is more complicated, we suggest working with a professional to ensure you get the correct measurements.

To get the area of your roof in square feet, we’ll need to know the length of two sides of each pane.  For a basic A-frame or gable-style roof, you’ll have two planes that should be identical in size.  Find the lengths of both the horizontal and vertical sides.  Once you have these two measurements, multiply them together.  This will give you the square footage of that plane; for homes with two equal-sized roof planes, you can multiply this number by two to get the full surface area of the roof.  Finally, take the full surface area in square feet and divide it by 100- that’s the size of your roof in roofing squares.  For example, if your roof is 3,000 sqft, it is 30 roofing squares.  If you are unable to figure out how big your roof is, no worries; a professional can take these measurements for you.

What is a Roofing Square Used For?

You now know how many squares your roof is, but what is that number used for?  Roofers use roof squares to estimate the cost of a project and to ensure the right amount of roofing material is purchased.  Knowing the square measurements of your roof can help you get a quicker estimate from many roofing companies.  Especially if you are getting a full replacement roof, this is a major factor in the overall roof cost.  Knowing your roof’s size in squares will also help you calculate the cost of different roofing products and materials on your own; some companies inflate the price of materials, so it is important to calculate the cost of these products yourself.  Oftentimes, materials like shingles are sold by the square.

Let Us Help With Your Roof Repair or Replacement Project

If you’re in need of a roof replacement, consider reaching out to us at TrueBlue Roofing; our expert team is equipped with the knowledge to handle all kinds of roof sizes, styles, and materials.  We pride ourselves in offering some of the best roofing services in Western Washington and have helped hundreds of families upgrade their homes across the Puget Sound.  No other contractors are as skilled, trustworthy, and meticulous as us.  We do replacement roofs, as well as repair commercial and residential roofs.  Let us help you get the perfect roof for your home- contact our team today for the best roofing solutions in the PNW!