To learn how to measure a roof by making a diagram, keep reading! Once you've measured the building’s walls, estimate the length of the overhangs on either side (if your roof has them). C. The easiest way to measure this section is to divide it up into three different sections: S1, S2, and S3. Then, calculate the pitch of the roof by placing a level against it, angling the level so the bubble is centered, and measuring the distance between the end of the level and the roof. Multiply the pieces by inches based on exposure, then divide by feet. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. a how to measure a roof for shingles from the ground new roofing isn’t supposition to the oil. Calculate the minimum roof slope for shingles and learning the important reasons why the slope is important component. There is a right way. Roofing Measurements Using Google Earth Each time you add points, the area will update and there is a box below that will convert this into acres, meters, kilometers, miles, and finally, square feet. You’ll need these items to record your roof’s measurements. If you have a hip roof, it's a little harder, but not much. Be sure to catch our funny one! On 25th December 2020 By . Pitch is expressed as “X-in-12 (inches)”. This article was co-authored by David Bitan. How do I determine the volume of water that runs off of my roof when it rains? The … Generally there is a two foot over hang on all sides of a roof. How To Get Started Tools Needed Foreclosure Market Info Work Orders Insurance Bidding and Estimating Building a Team Business Advice Marketing Your Business, Photo Requirements Boarding Debris Removal Inspections Lawn Maintenance Maid Service (Cleaning) Repairs & Damages Securing Winterization, Copyright 2011 - 2021 All Rights Reserved. Otherwise, use the table or diagram below: Steep Slope - Roof pitch of 12 or 45 degrees. All that matters is that you have a visual aid to keep up with the various dimensions you’ll be using to make your final calculations. On your next roofing estimate, I suggest that you compare the total square footage number you get by actually measuring a roof to the number you end up with after using these 2 little calculations. If you have a shed roof or a gable roof, you are in luck – these are the easiest roof types to measure. The formula is Edge+Peak (top and bottom) divided by 2 times the height. Pull up an online roofing calculator if you need help finding the area of irregularly-shaped roof sections (or you just want to double-check your work). As an example, if your overhang is 12 inches, you’ll add 2 feet to the overall length and 2 feet to the overall width of the house. Climb onto your roof and measure each section by its height and width. And then I will count the # of rows of shingles between the gutter and the peak of the roof and then divide the number by 2, which gives me the height measurement. Since it takes 3 bundles of shingles to cover a square, plan to purchase 3 bundles for each square. Next step, you need to measure the pitch (also known as the slope) of the roof deck. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. The pitch of a roof, or roof slope, helps determine how quickly excess water, snowfall, or debris will fall off of the roof. Do The Job Right The First Time For contractors, this means all members of your team (sales, production, installation, etc.) You or your roofing contractor will work around these areas once the project is actually underway. So, for a roof with a total square footage of 4,200 square feet, you’ll need 42 squares of shingle material. For example, a roof with a rise of 3-in-12 will have a pitch multiplier of 1.031, while one with a rise of 8 in 12 will use a multiplier of 1.202. Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional. Add all your measurements together to get your total square footage. Install protection underneath the roof the desk to prevent upward water movement. How to measure a roof for shingles (step-by-step) The process of accurately measuring a roof involves first making a diagram of the roof to show the basic shapes of each roof plain and how they relate to one another. I then multiply these 2 numbers together and I take that number and multiply it by 1.35. What I’m about to share with you is one of the best kept secrets for measuring residential roofing jobs without your feet leaving the ground. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Be sure to watch all our videos on our Channel. To measure an irregularly-shaped roof, you'll need to get on top. The steeper the pitch, the better this will work. Measure the peaks and edges. To be sure these measurements are accurate, you might want to measure the width of your driveway with an actual tape measure and compare it to what Google Earth tells you its distance is. This nominal square footage amount is then multiplied by a factor associated with the roof’s pitch. This was before I started using these two calculations. When I encounter any triangular-shaped roof sections such as dormers, I basically count the shingles from side to side where ever it is the widest and then count the shingles from the gutter to the peak, while remembering that each shingle is approx 12″ wide x 6″ high. If you don't know the difference, it's best to stay off the roof. Then each measurement is recorded on the diagram, applicable to that roof surface. Looking for a quicker way of measuring a roof without climbing on it for estimates. Don’t worry too much if you don’t know how to measure a roof for shingles. By using our site, you agree to our. Along with the roof’s pitch, you’ll use these 2 dimensions to calculate the roof’s overall square footage. Multiply the length by the width in feet to get the area measurement. This has shed a light on my getting great pictures and how to accurately measure the roof from the ground. Gambrel The important point to noti… That way, you’ll be able to make corrections and revisions as needed while you work. You’re just looking for the outer perimeter at this stage. However, because walking on a roof and measuring can be difficult, it can be a dangerous job for people who are inexperienced. How much total wood and nails are in my roof if the roof is 400 sqm? Alternatively, you can purchase a measuring wheel from your local hardware store. Reshingling a roof is a complex and expensive project, one that’s usually best left to the professionals. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Measure-a-Roof-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Measure-a-Roof-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Measure-a-Roof-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/aid1152657-v4-728px-Measure-a-Roof-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"