Calculating Your Roof Area:
In order to get a general idea about average cost to tear off and replace the roof, it’s best to begin by measuring the roof. Whenever possible, this must be undertaken from the ceiling itself, however, if you don’t feel comfortable with climbing all the way up, it may be helpful to get a basic idea in regards to its size from ground level, and also from within your attic.
You can measure your roof using a unit called a square with every square measuring around one hundred square feet. This way, you can replace the roof per square feet. Since the roofing material is also sold on the square, it’s easy to know the total square feet of your roof. Simply divide the number by 100 & take the round number of the closest whole number.
The next measurement is that of slope or pitch of your roof, whereas the 3rd is the total height of your roofing. This includes measuring your roof from where it begins to the top (not to be mistaken with the one from the ground to the top).
Start off by breaking your roof into sections, measure every single one of these separately. Look for the ones that are flat, long, and unbroken. For these, you just have to measure the width and length of every section, then multiply them at once to know the square footage. After measuring each section of your roof, simply add them together to know the final number.
The roofs with numerous dormers and hips, however, for example, Tudors, Colonials, and Capes, it’s best to measure them differently, as a few of these regions might form shapes other than a rectangle.
Among the most typical shapes is a triangle. For finding the square feet of it, measure its base and its height. Then, multiply both of them together. Lastly, divide the number by 2 to find the square footage.
The trapezoid is another common shape. It’s slightly more challenging to measure. Begin by measuring both the parallel sides one by one. Add both of them. Divide the answer by 2, then multiply the number by the height of your trapezoid for getting its area.
On rare occasions, you may see areas which may be rectangle on one side & triangle on the other. Simply measure both the sections separately & add both the answers to get a single number.
In case you already have a dome on the roofing, it’s best to allow roofing contractors to measure the area, since there may be plenty of room for error.