In Roofing Terms: What Is A Square?

by | Mar 22, 2020 | Orlando | 0 comments

Firstly, if we want to install a roof, the first thing that we have to do is to contact a licensed roofing contractor. Next, we have to let them know what are our plans for our roof. But just like any other building plan out there, we have to formulate the details and measurements for our roof.

In the roofing industry, they use different terms for measurements than the usual terms used for building your home’s foundations. It might not look like much, but planning and making precise measurements can make sure that your roof is free from any future damages. Although rare, roof leaks and warped shingles are mainly caused by improperly installing a roof which is often caused by miscalculations in the measurement. 

But before we go into the applications of these measurements and this term, we have to first look into the necessity of it in the roofing industry. 

Why Use This Term

Since the United States stretches across much of North America, you’re bound to encounter different sorts of people from the roofing industry. Even if there’s going to be different standards in terms of building codes, building permits, and requirements, measurements tend to be uniform. 

In roofing terms, a roofing square is a uniform term used by roofing contractors across the country (and possibly across the world) so there is no confusion and there is a direct form of communication in terms of measurements. 

The reason why this term is so prevalent and widely used in the roofing industry is that there’s not a single roof that has the same design as the other. In most cases, roofing designs for commercial buildings can be different from roofs that are used on residential buildings. Commercial buildings like depots and storage houses tend to have more area. On average, roofs for residential homes have an average of 1700 square feet. 

Measurements

Since there is a multitude of different roof designs in the market, you’ll have to do some elementary-level geometry to be aware of the number of materials that you have to buy for your roof. 

10 ft x 10 ft = 100 square ft

5 ft x 20 ft = 100 square ft

2 ft x 50 ft = 100 square ft

50 ft x 50 ft = 2500 square ft, so 2500 / 100 = 25 squares

To put it simply; 1 square roofing is equivalent to 100 square feet. There are different ways of measuring a square as to what we have discussed in the previous sections. 

Hiring Professionals

If you’re not up for the task, then you can leave the roofing process to licensed and professionally-equipped roofers. These professionals already have years of experience in working on high-pitched sloped on high surfaced. Moreover, these roofing specialists also know where to purchase cost-effective materials and tools that are specialized in mitigating damages to your roof. If you’re going to plan out with a roofing contractor, it’s best to let them be aware of how much area needs to be covered first. It also does not hurt to have a calculator with you to make everything easier. 

Additionally, you’ll also need to do your own research on the track record of your roofing contractor. Do they adhere to the measurements that are being done? Do you know anybody else who had their roof done by the same people? Knowing how your contractor works can help create a more comprehensive plan for your roof. 

To make the long story short; knowing what a roofing square is and how it’s measured is paramount in planning out and installing a roof. Since the roofing industry is a country-spanning business comprised of a variety of people, this gives people a uniform term and measurement to follow.

Related Articles