The roof is an important structural part of any building, residential or commercial. Any type of roofing project that Columbus roofing contractors like the team here at J.F. Baker’s Sons Roofing Company take on will require roofing materials. And whether you are looking to have a roof installed for the first time, replace a roof, or even just have repairs done, it can be helpful to have a better understanding of just how much roofing material you will need.

The amount of roofing material needed will vary depending on a number of factors including the type of roofing services needed, the size of the roof, and even the shape. To give yourself a better understanding of the roofing material you will need and the type of budget you may need to consider, you can calculate the amount of roofing material for a given project.

Below, we take a closer look at how you can calculate how much roofing material you may need for your roof.

The Ultimate Guide to Calculating Your Roofing Material Needs

Follow the below steps as you calculate your roofing material needs.

Determine the Size of Your Roof

You will want to measure the length and width of each side of your roof to calculate its total square footage. You can typically do this by looking at the blueprints for your building or by using a tape measure to do it along the sides of the roof itself.

Be sure to measure the width of each single plane of your roof. For example, a flat roof may only have one large plane to measure while a roof that has hips, dormers, or other additional elements will be a little more complex to measure.

Consider the Shape of Your Roof

Is your roof flat, gabled, or a hipped roofing structure with multiple sides and angles? Keeping the overall shape of your roof in mind will be important as you determine the size of it.

If your roof has complex shapes or elements, such as dormers and hips, the square footage of your roof will not be the exact square footage of your home.

Select the Type of Material You’ll Use

Selecting the type of roofing material you want to use will affect how much material you need. If you are looking to have your roof repaired, you will want to stick with the same type of material that your existing roof is already made out of.

But for things like roof installation or replacement, you can consider other types of roofing materials. Factors that might impact the material you choose include:

• What kind of look and feel you want to your home or business
• The climate of your area
• Your budget
• The lifespan you’d like out of your roof

Shingles, metal, tile, or other roofing materials will all affect how much material you need. Be sure to carefully consider what material you want to choose.

Calculate the Number of Bundles or Squares Needed

No matter the material, all roofing materials typically come in bundles or squares. To calculate the number of bundles or squares needed, divide your total square footage by 100.

This will tell you how many bundles or squares will be needed.

If you would like to have professional Columbus roofing contractors handle these calculations for you, be sure to connect with our team to request a roofing estimate.

Take into Account Waste Factors

Roofing services completed by a Columbus roofing company will always result in some type of waste. To account for that waste, allow for a 5-10% waste factor when purchasing materials. This will ensure you have enough to cover unexpected issues during installation.

And if your roof has complex elements like hips, valleys, and dormers, you may want to bump the waste factor up to 15% just to give yourself a bit of a cushion.

Estimate Additional Accessories

From roofing repair to a full roof replacement, it’s not just the visible roofing materials like shingles that will be needed. Don’t forget to take into account additional items like nails, flashing, and underlayment for a complete estimate of what your project will cost!

You’ll also want to account for other features like whether or not your building has a chimney, skylights, dormer windows, solar panels, and things like attic fans. These extra accessories and additions to your roof should be accounted for in your calculations and budget.

Connect with an Experienced Columbus Roofing Company for a Free Estimate

While the above steps are a great way to calculate your own estimation of how much roofing material you may need for your home or business, we always recommend connecting with our team of Columbus roofing contractors here at J.F. Baker’s Sons Roofing Company.

Serving Central Ohio since 1929, we are proud to be a trusted Columbus roofing company that is locally owned and operated. We offer both residential and commercial roofing services, including roof installation and repairs. And while calculating your own estimate of the amount of roofing material needed for your roof is a good place to start, we are here to help provide a professional estimate to you.

To request an estimate, reach out to us over the phone at 614-297-ROOF or by filling out our online contact form. A member of our team will contact you as soon as possible.