If you’ve ever hung out near a construction site while a new roof was being built, you may have heard a contractor mention “roofing squares.” What Is a Square in Roofing is the thing that we want to talk about.
Understanding your roof’s size in terms of squares can help you estimate the materials you’ll need for a replacement – which, in turn, lets you predict the amount you can expect to spend on the project.
In this article, we’ll tackle “What is a square in roofing” and related questions about measuring the size of a roof.
Let’s dive in!
Also you can have roof replacement and roof repair with us!
Defining a Square in Roofing
A roofing square isn’t the same as the square foot we learned about in math class – it’s a separate unit of measurement.
So what is a square in roofing?
It’s a form of measurement contractors use to calculate the size of your roof and the number of materials needed for the project. One roofing square is an area of 10 feet by 10 feet, making up 100 square feet. So if your roof is 2000 square feet, for instance, your roof has 20 squares.
Splitting a roof into squares simplifies the calculation process, allowing roofers to quickly estimate the price of a repair or replacement job.
How Do Roofers Determine the Number of Squares Required?
Roofers determine how much material they’ll need by measuring the length and width of each roof section.
They then multiply the measurements and divide the result by 100 to get the total number of roofing squares.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional to Measure Your Roof
Measuring your roof yourself can be tricky and dangerous. It requires measuring the roof’s pitch – not a straightforward task. Calculating the slope also involves complex math that may be challenging to grasp.
Calling professionals to handle the job safely is always a good idea. Installation and replacement are expensive projects, even if you go the DIY route – you don’t want to sink all that money into materials to find you’ve miscalculated your roof’s surface area.
Safety, however, is the real issue. Climbing on a roof – especially without the proper equipment or experience – can be dangerous, even for professional roofers. Trying to save a little money isn’t worth the risk of falling and injuring yourself.
What Is a Square in Roofing: Final Thoughts
The next time you hear a roofer mention the term “squares,” you’ll know they’re referring to the roof’s size.
Having a firm grasp of the specifics of roofing terminology will help you communicate clearly with your contractors and feel more confident in the building or renovation process.
