Your roofing materials are vital to your home’s structural integrity and the safety of the building. You want it to last as long as possible with as little extra work as possible. You also want to avoid leaks, mold, and other nuisances of age (unfortunately, raccoons and squirrels may be unavoidable).
When you’re gearing up for a roofing project, it’s important to know how many shingles and bundles you need.
When you’re working on your roof, you’ll always have to store supplies somewhere. It could be tempting to order more than you need, but you’ll end up with a lot of materials and not many places to put it.
Pros and DIY homeowners alike need to be able to estimate shingles in a bundle properly. First, you’ll need to know the square footage of your roof. Knowing the weight of a bundle of shingles also helps.
Keep in mind, the square footage of your roof will be different than the square footage of your home. From there, you’ll take the square footage of your roof and divide it by 33, and you’ll get a rough estimate of how many bundles you need.
Bundles typically contain 15-29 shingles, but you can rest knowing that standard bundles cover roughly 33 square feet.
You’ll need a place to store the shingles you’ll be working with, a place to toss your old shingles, and standard hardware like hammers and nails. We estimate you’ll need 4 nails per shingle, but if you live in an area with a lot of inclement weather, it might be a good idea to use 6 nails per shingle.
For example, Texas rates highest with 507 annual hail events, with Kansas and Colorado following in second and third. So basically anywhere in tornado alley or hurricane zones will need reliable roofing materials and construction.
You’ll be able to estimate based on the square footage of your roof, but we always recommend getting a few more bundles than you need. This gives you room for any errors and mistakes, as well as extras to cut around in case you need to change the shape of some of the shingles.
You’ll also have extras down the road in case you have to do any repairs. As cool as it might be to have a patchwork roof, future homebuyers might not agree with that.
If you’re ready to take on that roofing project (or ready to hire a pro to take it on for you) read on to learn more about the different types of roofing materials!
This is the most popular materials for homeowners with 90% of homeowners using fiberglass asphalt shingles and is broken down into two different categories: architectural shingles or three-tab shingles.
Architectural shingles are more durable because of their increased thickness. Three tab shingles create a uniform look but have about half the lifespan of architectural shingles.
Asphalt shingle tend to cost between $3.50-$5.50 per square foot, so it’s on the more affordable side.
A bunch of different metals are used for roofing depending on the look or maintenance you’re looking for.
Aluminum is reflective, making it very energy efficient. It’s also lightweight, recyclable, and can last up to 45 years.
Copper can last up to 100 years and requires very little maintenance. Steel, tin, zinc, and lead are also great metal roofing options and are all resistant to rusting.
There is also a specific rusted metal shingle look that is good for specific aesthetics, but it is not recommended for wet or coastal areas.
Metal shingles cost around $7-$22 per square foot depending on the type of metal.
Tiles are typically made from clay, terracotta, and slate. These materials and types of shingles are seen on Mediterranean-style and Spanish-style architecture.
For the most part, these clay tiles require little maintenance and the lifespan can vary as much as metal.
Concrete is the most affordable kind of tile but it is heavy and susceptible to mold. Clay is a little pricey but is very durable. Terracotta is heat resistant but doesn’t perform well in colder climates.
Composite tile shingles include plastic, rubber, or other fiber cements added to them, which makes them lightweight and eco-friendly.
The cost of tiles usually runs between $2-$10.
Wooden shingles are usually made from white cedar, cypress, redwood, or treated pine. These shingles require the most maintenance because wood is prone to cracking, growing algae and other plant life, leaking, and breaking down.
Wood shingles need to be cleaned with a preservative every 2-5 years and will cost around $4-$6 per square foot without the maintenance costs.
Solar shingles use the same technology as solar panels but are designed to blend into your roof better. These are built to be durable, so they can last up to 30 years with some maintenance and cleaning.
This type of shingle can cost around $21.50 per square foot, not including installation. However, the cost of saving energy within your home can even out over time.
By using solar energy, you’ll be helping the environment as well as increasing the energy efficiency of your home. On average, solar energy can save a family $1,600 over the course of a year, and can save anywhere between $20,000-$100,000 over the lifetime of the solar panels.
It’s important to be able to estimate shingles in a bundle accurately, especially when it comes to something as important as your roof. You don’t want to spend a ton of money on materials you don’t need, especially when you’re going with something energy efficient like solar shingles.
That’s why knowing how many shingles are in a bundle is important; you’ll be able to cover your home while covering your future needs.
It’s easy to forget that when you’re bringing in new shingles to put on your roof, you’re going to need to dispose of the old ones. When that’s the case, you’ll need a reliable dumpster to toss your old shingles.
Call Discount Dumpster and we’ll be able to give you an estimate on the size you need. You can rent a dumpster for the entire length of your roofing project. We’ll deliver your dumpster right to your home and pick it all up when you’re done.
Renting a dumpster with us will be easier than your roofing project. We can help save you that little bit of stress. Give us a call today!
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