You’ve decided to get your roof looked at. You do the right thing and call us for a free, “no monkey business” inspection. After our team takes a look, we sit down with you and present a clear, detailed estimate (Step 2 of our process).
You see a line item on the quote that says, “Total roof area: 28 squares.”
Your first thought is probably, “Squares of what?”
Here at Banana Roofing, we believe in “Honest Service” and total transparency. We’re not just here to do a job; we’re here to be your “long-term partners.” And partners don’t use confusing lingo. So let’s pull back the curtain and explain this simple, but very important, piece of roofing terminology.
What is a "Roofing Square?" (The Simple Answer)
In the simplest terms: One “roofing square” is a 10-foot by 10-foot area, or 100 square feet.
That’s it. It’s just a unit of measurement.
Think of it this way: when you buy eggs, you buy them by the “dozen.” When we buy roofing materials, we buy them by the “square.”
It’s the industry standard for measuring and ordering everything that goes on your roof, from the shingles themselves to the ice-and-water shield and underlayment. It keeps the math simple for us and the material suppliers. It’s much easier to order “28 squares” of shingles than to order “2,800 square feet” of them.
Why Your "Roof Square Footage" is Not Your "House Square Footage"
This is the most common point of confusion, and it’s a critical one to understand.
A homeowner will often say, “My house is 2,000 square feet, so I must need 20 squares of shingles, right?”
This is always incorrect. Your roof’s total surface area is always more than your home’s floor plan.
There are two main reasons for this:
Pitch (Slope): Your roof is not flat. The steeper your roof’s “pitch” (its slope), the more surface area it has. Think of a 2,000-square-foot ranch-style home. A low-slope roof on that home might be 2,300 sq ft (23 squares), while a very steep, A-frame-style roof on that same 2,000-square-foot home could be 3,500 sq ft (35 squares).
Overhangs & Gables: Your home’s footprint only measures the “lived-in” space. It doesn’t include your roof’s overhangs (the “eaves”), the roof over your front porch, or a detached garage. We have to shingle all of those, too, and they add to the total square count.
How Do You Determine How Many Squares You Need?
This is where our “Skilled Roofing Team” comes in. Calculating this number is a job that requires geometry and precision.
Step 1: Find the Total Roof Area This involves our team measuring the length and width of every single plane (or “facet”) of your roof. We add all these measurements together to get the total, exact surface area.
Step 2: Divide by 100 This is the easy part. If a roof’s total measured area is 3,100 square feet, we divide by 100. That gives us 31 squares.
Step 3: The “Waste Factor” This is a critical expert step. We always add 10% to 15% to the final number. This is not to overcharge you; it’s to protect your project.
When we install shingles, we have to cut them to fit perfectly in the valleys, along the ridges (hips), and around chimneys and pipes. Those cut-off pieces are “waste.” Adding this waste factor is part of “Quality Craftsmanship.” It ensures we do not run out of material in the middle of the job, which would cause costly delays.
So, for that 31-square roof, we would order 34 or 35 squares to do the job right.
How Banana Roofing Makes Measurement "Hassle-Free"
Here’s the best part: You do not have to do this.
Please, do not climb a ladder with a tape measure. That is our job, and we have the safety training and equipment to do it right.
This is all part of our “people-first” process.
Step 1: The Free, Honest Inspection. Our process begins with a “Skilled Roofing Team” member coming to your home. We use a combination of safe, physical measurements and modern aerial technology to get a precise, 100% accurate measurement of your roof’s total surface area.
Step 2: The Transparent Estimate. When we provide your quote, it will clearly list the total number of squares. Now that you have read this post, you will know exactly what that number means, where it came from, and why it is accurate.
No surprises. No shortages. Just “Honest Service.”
Now You Speak Our Language
A “square” is just 100 square feet of roof area. It’s the standard way we measure a roof and order materials.
We believe an informed homeowner is a confident homeowner. We’re “rooted in hard work,” and that includes the hard work of being completely transparent with you from the first nail to the final inspection.
Ready to find out exactly how many squares your roof is? Let us do the climbing.
Book a Free Inspection and we’ll give you a precise, honest measurement and estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bundles of shingles are in one square?
This is the most common question! For almost all standard architectural shingles, there are three bundles in one square. So, that 28-square roof would require 84 bundles (plus the waste factor).
Why do roofers add a 10-15% "waste factor"?
We add this to account for the shingles that must be cut to fit your roof’s specific angles, such as in the valleys, along the ridges (hips), and at the gables. This is a standard practice that ensures we have enough material to finish the job without interruption.
Can I just use my home's square footage to estimate my roof?
No. Your roof’s square footage is always larger than your home’s square footage because of its pitch (slope) and any overhangs, like on a porch or garage.
Does a steeper roof cost more per square?
Yes, it often does. A very steep roof requires more time, extra safety precautions, and more difficult labor to install materials. This can increase the labor cost per square, but we will always show you this clearly in our estimate.
