Square (Roofing)
A unit of roofing area equal to 100 square feet, used to price shingles and roofing labor.
In roofing, a "square" is a unit of measurement equal to 100 square feet of roof surface area. Shingles, underlayment, and roofing labor are all priced per square. A typical three-bundle package of asphalt shingles covers one square. Knowing your roof's area in squares is essential for accurate material ordering and bid comparison.
To calculate squares, measure the footprint of the roof and multiply by the pitch factor (a steeper roof has more actual surface area than the footprint). A 1,500 square-foot house with a moderate 6:12 pitch might have 20–22 squares of actual roof surface. Most roofing contractors include a waste factor of 10–15% for cuts and overlaps.
Roofing costs are quoted per square: basic 3-tab asphalt shingles run $350–$500 per square installed; architectural (dimensional) shingles run $450–$650; premium impact-resistant shingles can exceed $800 per square. Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of a roofing bid.
Real-World Example
The roofing estimate measured 28 squares of surface area; at $520 per square for architectural shingles, the total bid came to $14,560.