The Cost of Shingles for a Roof calculator estimates the number of bundles needed and approximate cost of shingles for a basic gable roof based on roof dimensions (length, span, pitch and overhang), size of bundles and the unit price of a bundle of shingles.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following;
- (L) Ridge Length of Roof
- (S) Span of Roof
- (P) Pitch of Roof
- (oH) Overhang of Roof
- (uP) Unit Price of a Bundle of Shingles (see Shingle Pricing below)
- (BS) Bundle Size (33.33 ft2 for 3-tab and 32.8 ft2 for architectural)
Cost of Roof Shingles (TC): The calculator returns the number of bundles and their cost in U.S. dollars. However, this can be automatically converted into other currency units via the pull-down menu.
NOTE: the above is just about the shingles and does not include the following:
- Labor
- Underlayment
- Ridge Cap
- Starter Strip Shingles or Starter Roll for Eaves and Rake
- Roofing Nails
Single Price Survey Data
One should use the pricing for roofing materials that can be bought locally. However, the following prices are for different quality grades of shingles in the United States. The 3 Tab and Architectural Shingles Cost Survey lists the observed price of a bundle of shingles. A bundle of shingles is 33.33 ft2 for 3-tab shingles or 32.8 ft2 for architectural shingles. The survey includes a date, the name of the store. the five price points for shingles: economy, low, median, high and premium.
NOTE: Local pricing should ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be used! These price points are for estimation convenience only, and there is no guarantee on the prices of the product nor of their availability at the stated price.
The Math / Science
The roofing shingle cost equation provides an estimate of materials cost for shingles on a roof based on the roof's area and on the price of shingles. To calculate the area, the user enters the length and width dimensions of the area covered (see diagram) and the pitch. vCalc uses these dimensions to calculate the are covered.
- Gable Roof Area: This computes the surface area of a gable roof based on dimensions and pitch.
- Trusses Needed for Roof: This computes the number trusses need for a roof including gabled roof.
- 4x8 Sheathing for Gable Roof: This computes the total surface area of a roof, the number of 4x8s and framing nails needed for a gabled roof based on the length, span, pitch and overhang.
- Gable Roof Sheathing Cost: This computes the number of 4x8 sheets (32 ft² each) needed to cover a gabled roof based on the ridge length, roof span, overhang and the pitch and applies the unit cost of a 4x8.
- Nails for Gable Roof Sheathing: This computes the approximate number of nails needed to nail 4x8 sheets to trusses or rafters on a roof based on the dimensions of the roof, spacing of nails on the edges and field of the 4x8, and whether blocking or clips are use.
- Purlins for Gable Roof: This computes the total number and length of purlins for a simple gable roof based on the ridge length of the roof, the roof pitch and the span of the roof.
- Metal for Gable Roof: This estimates the metal panels and trim needed for a metal roof for a simple gabled roof based on the roof dimensions.
- Metal Screws for Gable Roof: This computes the number of special screws needed for a metal roof.
- Shingles for Gable Roof: This computes the number of shingles (bundles), underlayment, ridge shingles, starter strip, and roofing nails for a gable roof.
- Gable Roof Shingle Cost: This estimates to shingle a basic gable roof based on dimensions (length, span, pitch and overhang) and the unit price of a bundle of shingles.
- Underlayment for Gable Roof: This estimates the cost of underlayment to cover a basic gable roof based on the area of a roof computed from the dimensions (length, span, pitch and overhang) and the unit price underlayment material.
- Roofing Nails for Gable Roof: This estimates the number of roofing nails needed for a common gabled roof based on roof dimensions and wind conditions.
- Rafters for Gable Roof: This computes the total number of rafter boards (roof joists) for a gabled roof based on the ridge length, pitch and span. It also returns the length of the ridge board, and the length and number of rafter ties and collar ties.
- Rafter Length: This computes the length of the rafters based on the span, pitch and overhang.
- Gable Roof Geometries: This computes the length of rafters, pitch and cut angles, soffit and facia base widths of a gable roof.
- Weight of Snow on Roof: This computes the weight of snow on a gable roof based on roof dimensions, depth and type of snow.
Roof Types
Roofing Calculators