How Is Roofing Measured?
Whether you’re bidding on a job or simply trying to estimate the amount of roofing materials needed, accurate roof measurements are critical. However, climbing onto a roof to measure every single square foot is time-consuming.
Instead, you can reduce the measuring process down to a few simple steps using an easy to follow diagram. Start by recording the dimensions of each plane, including any dormers.
Pitch
The roof's slope or pitch, is a ratio of the vertical rise to the horizontal run. A roof's pitch can dictate which construction materials are used, as different roofing materials require varying levels of slope.
To determine a roof's pitch, use a level and a tape measure. Place the level on a rafter near the top of the structure. Then, place the tape measure on the roof and read the number of vertical inches per 12 inches of horizontal run. A roof that has a 6-in-12 pitch rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of run.
Once the roof area is measured, it's time to calculate its actual square footage. To do this, first find the roof's pitch by multiplying its horizontal area measurement by the corresponding correction factor (provided in the table below). Then add this figure to the height and width measurements you took on the roof itself to determine the total roof size required for your project.
Length
Whether you're re-roofing an existing house or purchasing shingles for a new home, accurate measurements are critical to ensuring a successful roofing project. Many people find it difficult or impossible to climb onto their roofs to take precise measurements, so they turn to other tools such as Google Earth to get a bird's eye view of the house and estimate the square footage of the roofing. However, this method is based on geometry and is not as precise as an on-the-roof measurement. Moreover, a roof surface is typically measured in "squares," which are different from square feet and depend on the type of shingle that you're buying.
To calculate the square footage of your roof, start by measuring the length and width of each plane. Then, multiply each number to derive the total square footage for each plane. Next, add up the square footage of all of the planes to get your overall roof's square footage. Make sure that you're taking the measurement accurately, and write down each number on a piece of paper as you're recording it to avoid errors later.
Width
Unless your roof is flat and without protrusions, there are multiple dimensions to consider when measuring it for roofing. It's important to know how to calculate the overall roof square footage as this is necessary for estimating project cost, material requirements, and installation time.
To accurately measure a roof, you will need a reliable, accurate measuring tape or computerized measurement tool. Using this, you will need to determine the length and width of each plane on your roof, including any dormers. Once these numbers are determined, you can then multiply them together to determine the roof's square footage.
Before beginning any measurements, it's a good idea to draw a rough diagram of the roof on your notepad. This doesn't need to be drawn to scale, but should be clear enough for you to label the various planes as you take measurements. Record each measurement precisely, as rounding them up or down before you begin multiplying and adding can throw off your final calculation.
Height
If you can safely mount the roof, use an extended length industrial tape measure to get a reading at the highest point of the roof. Then, measure from the peak down along the eave to find the roof width dimension for figuring area.
You can also measure a flat roof from the ground by using a simple formula. Just multiply the length and width measurements to calculate the roof’s square footage. You can also approximate the size of triangular sections of the roof with a similar formula.
If you can’t mount the roof, it’s a good idea to use an overhead sketch to frame your home for measuring purposes. This will save you time and ensure that you have accurate measurements to send to the supplier for your new roofing. Moreover, it will allow you to compare the cost of different roofing materials. Typically, shingles are sold in bundles and you will need to know the number of “squares” you will need for your roof.
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Whether you’re bidding on a job or simply trying to estimate the amount of roofing materials needed, accurate roof measurements are critical. However, climbing onto a roof to measure every single square foot is time-consuming. Instead, you can reduce the measuring process down to a few simple steps using an easy to follow diagram. Start…