The roof is the top of a house or building; its function is to provide protection from the sun and rain. From the very beginning, humans have used many different materials, from straw to corrugated metal, from clay to tiles, to cover the roofs and protect the buildings in which to spend their lives. One of the most popular solutions in the twentieth century is the asphalt or fiberglass shingle. Follow the instructions in this article to take your roof measurements and calculate the amount of coating.
Steps
Step 1. Draw the roof from an overhead perspective by tracing the lines along which the different floors join
Do not neglect any side and all the tiled dormers that the roof is equipped with.
Step 2. Climb a ladder carrying a notebook, pencil, and measuring wheel
If you store these tools in a tool holster or pouch, it's easier to climb up; moreover, this way you have a place to put them and you don't run the risk of them falling off the roof.
Step 3. Spread the tape measure across the length and width of each roof surface you drew earlier
A second person is recommended for this, although most measuring tools have a ring that you can anchor to the edge of the tiles to unroll the measuring tape.
Step 4. Write down in your notebook the measurements that correspond to the different planes of your drawing
Step 5. After all surveys are done, return to the ground
Step 6. Write the measurements in the corresponding spaces of the drawing to have all the information you need to start the calculations
Step 7. Multiply the length of each section by its width to find the surface
Step 8. Note this value on the drawing, right in the center of the corresponding plane
In this way, you can understand if you have taken into account all the surfaces of the roof.
Step 9. Add the areas of the individual tiles to find the total roof area
Step 10. Divide the calculated value by the area of one tile to find the number of tiles needed to cover the roof
The roof covering is available in the form of single tiles or fiberglass "sheets" whose dimensions can vary (this information is indicated on the packaging). Thanks to this data you can estimate the quantity of tiles or slabs to buy.
Advice
- Increase measurements by 10% to account for cutting waste.
- If the roof has never been covered with shingles before, you must also purchase an equal amount of insulation material. This extra layer is not necessary for asphalt-covered surfaces.
