Calculating the amount of roofing materials

How do I go about calculating the amount of roofing materials that will be needed and is there a different calcation/formular for strip v's architectural shingles? How are each useually sold?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

TWK

 

Roofing shingles are sold by the square (100 sq. ft.). 3 bundles make a sqaure, whether it's 3-tab or architectural. Simply multiply the height times the width of each face of the roof to figure out it's area. Add all of the face areas together. Now you know how many squares you'll need. Add 10% more to that figure to cover waste. If you are using 3-tab, add one more square to cover ridge caps. But if you are using architectural, the ridge cap is done with ridge and edge cap, rather than with the shingles themselves. For that, you simply measure the ridges and the edges at the gable ends that will be covered with this cap and purchase enough to cover that length. Don't worry about buying too much. Your retailer will take back any unopened bundles.

 

Right on again Lefty.

 

That Lefty is good. We should hire him. Probably can't afford him though.

 

Make me an offer. I might not accept it, but it never hurts to keep track of your market value!! >

 

Shucks Lefty, an old country boy like me can't afford much. I could only go about $75.00 an hour plus your lunches.
Us poor folk just barely get by. I keep trying to line up a good job in your area, then I will use your fine services.

 

Thanks Lefty. I never worked with architectural but I am considering it this time. Shat is the ridge and end cap that you referred to? Is this a seperate cut of the shingle or a flashing type material?

TWK

 

The ridge cap is cut from the shingles if you are using 3-tab roofing. Simply cut each shingle into 3 pieces at the tab cut. Start at each end of the ridge and work to the center, overlaying the tabs just like you did the roofing. Where these 2 lines meet at the center of the ridge, you'll be cutting off the covered section of the shingles, leaving only the colored section. The last piece gets installed without nails, only roofing cement.

If you are using architectural shingles, the ridge cap is purchased seperately from your roofing supplier. The same cap is used going up each end of each face of the roof. You will have to tell the supplier how many lineal feet of that you need (total length of the ridges and up the gable ends of the roof).

Of course you could use the architectural cap on a 3-tab roof. That would save you having to cut all of pieces for the ridge and would give you better protection on the gable ends.