How To Calculate the Square Footage of a Roof?

If your roof is old, worn out, or requires frequent repairs to stop leaks, it’s time for a roof replacement. As a homeowner, you should know how to measure roof area accurately to plan your budget for this project.

Calculating roof square footage requires knowing the size of your roof. You can calculate the square footage of a roof with a simple equation, though there are various factors to consider.

Jackson Contracting, a reputable roofing company in Indianapolis, specializes in high-quality roof repairs, roof maintenance, and roof replacements. Our expertise ensures that we know how to measure roof area for accurate estimates and material planning. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of measuring your roof’s square footage as well as the relevant factors that will impact the cost.

Measuring Your Roof’s Square Footage

Before you can replace your roof, you must know its square footage as it will affect the cost. The size of your roof will dictate the amount of materials required for the job, labor, and time to complete this replacement.

It’s always best to get a local roofing contractor to professionally measure your roof. However, it may be helpful to calculate a rough estimate on your own so you can know what to expect.

Start with a Footprint

Calculating the square footage of a roof starts with the footprint of your home. Someone who stands at an average height typically has a step length between 2 and 2.5 feet. You can use your own feet to step through the dimensions of your roof or use measuring tape. As you take steps, count them to calculate the length and width of your home.

When you multiply these two numbers together, you will be on your way to calculating roof square footage for your home. The equation will be length x width = the footprint of your home.

Keep in mind that these measurements will not be precise as other factors will determine the full cost of a roof replacement. However, it will give you the basic square footage of a roof calculation, allowing you to plan how much you’ll need to spend.

Understanding Roof Slope and Complexity

The steepness and complexity of your roof will also come into the equation. You should take a look at your roof and determine its slope and how complex the structure is as best you can. A roof that’s a walkable gable style will require multiplying your calculated footprint by 1.3 to calculate roof square footage.

Low-slope roofs will require a 1.4 multiplier, complex roofs will need to multiply the footprint by 1.6.

Calculating Roof Square Footage

The first step in getting your roof’s estimated square footage requires multiplying the length of your home by its width to get your home’s footprint. You’ll then take the footprint of your home and multiply it by the slope and complexity to get the square feet of the roof.

Some examples can help further illustrate how to measure roof area accurately. If your home is an easy up-and-over walkable gable style and it has a length of 60 feet by 30 feet width, the equation should be done in the following way: 

60’ (length) x 30’ (width) = 1,800’ (footprint of your home) x 1.3 (roof slope and complexity) = 2,340 square feet of roof area

It’s wise to use this equation as a tool to get an estimate. It will not be completely accurate, but it will give you an idea of how much you will need to spend on replacing your roof.

What Other Factors Can Impact the Cost of a Roof Replacement?

While the square footage of your home will have a big impact on the cost of a roof replacement, there are other things to consider.

The Roofing Materials

The type of roofing materials you want will affect the cost of replacing your roof. You may be looking for the most affordable option, which is why many homeowners go with asphalt shingle roofs.

However, it’s also important to think about the longevity of these materials. While they are relatively durable, asphalt shingle roofs don’t last as long as tile or metal roofs. Metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular due to their low maintenance requirements, longevity, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. They are more expensive to install, but these upfront costs can save you more down the road.

There are many other types of roofing materials to choose from, which is why it’s ideal to discuss them with your roofing contractor to find the best option for your home.

Labor and Time Required

You will also need to factor in labor and time when calculating roof square footage. The cost of labor can vary per crew member on the roofing team with their skills, experience, and how much they can complete in a day. Each contractor will have a different labor cost because of these additional factors.

The time it takes for this roof replacement to be completed will also matter. The more time the roofing crew needs, the more it will increase the cost. For example, if your roof is complex and difficult to access, it will require more labor and time to finish. Keep in mind that the roofing team will need to tear off your old roof first, and they must clean up your property once the job is complete.

Why Accuracy Is Important for the Square Footage of a Roof Calculation

Calculating roof square footage is an important first step when having a roof replaced. You may use the equation in this article to help you determine a rough cost, though the materials you choose along with the labor and time required will add more.

The only way to get an accurate measurement is by having a roofing contractor come out and take professional measurements of your roof. They will have all the proper tools to assess what is needed, explain your roofing material options, and highlight the associated labor costs to draft your roof replacement estimate.

Jackson Contracting is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured local roofing contractor in Indianapolis. We take pride in getting measurements done right the first time to ensure there are no surprises or hidden costs in your roof replacement process. Our team takes the time to review all of your options and provides transparent insight to help you make the best decision for your home.

The equation we’ve provided above is designed to give you a better idea of what you can expect. When it comes to how to measure roof area accurately, you need roofing professionals to fill in the other factors to arrive at your final cost.You can learn more about our roof installation, roof repair, and roof maintenance services. Jackson Contracting is available for all of your roofing needs in Indianapolis.