Last Updated on November 29, 2022 by
If you are looking for roof replacement, you need to know how to measure a roof for calculating material requirements. Though roof installation experts would perform the duty, you would also be keen to correctly measure it. You have two options: either get an estimate from the ground or climb the ladder and take an accurate measurement.
Table of Contents
Material required
- Ladder
- Marker
- pen and paper
- Measuring tape
- Large level
Method 1:
Measuring your roof from the ground
1. Measuring the length and width of the home’s exterior walls
First of all, stretch your tape from end to end in both directions along the walls. Please note the measurements down in the notebook. To get it done the right way, make sure you reach out to professionals like the ones of Lakeside Renovation & Design.
2. Calculating roof’s overall square footage
If your roof has overhangs, estimate their length on either side and add in the record of exterior walls.
3. Calculating the roof’s pitch
Pitch means steepness of the roof. Use a level a few feet in from the edge and measure the distance from the level’s end to the roof’s surface. “X-in-12 (inches)” is the expression for pitch. So if you find 8 inches difference by using 1 feet level, it means your roof has a pitch of 8-in-12.
4. Getting measurements in square footage
Typically roofs measurements are converted from sq ft to a full square(10’x10′ are). Waste will also be added. Typically 10% is safer unless you have a hip roof which would want 15% waste figured.
Read More: The Importance and Benefits of Commercial Roof Inspections
Method 2:
Measurement on the roof
1. Find a way onto the roof
To take precise measurements, you have to be on the roof. Set up a ladder on flat ground and climb onto it carefully. Remember to bring a pad of paper, pen, and tape measure with you.
2. Measure the sides of the main section
Start measuring the outer edges of the roof to jot down the length and width.
Then, multiply the length and width to get the square footage. Finally, calculate the total area by adding square footages of all sides. Suppose a roof has one plane.
Length X width = 130′ * 100′ = 13,000 sq. ft. in total.
A square has 100 square feet. By dividing the total square feet 13000 by 100, you would find the exact requirement of 130 squares of roof shingles to cover it. However, additional structures are yet to add.
3. Measure other structures
If your roof features dormers, valleys, hip ridges, or any additional architectural element, measure them as well. Then, add them into the previous record to calculate the exact amount of materials you need to bring.
4. Add all sections to get the total square footage
Now add length, breadth, rectangular sections, triangular sections, and all to get the sum for the overall square footage of the roof.
Points to remember
1. Keep the measurements precise as much as possible, i.e., 1.4 cm. If you make their roundabout, it may lead to an inaccurate number of roof shingles you need.
2. Before moving further to buy material or something, draw a rough top-down diagram of your roof on a large piece of paper. Label the measurements into your diagram. You can divide the roof into simple geometrical sections for faster and easier work. This visual dimension helps you effectively finalize the calculations.
