The shingles you choose and their thickness influence price. Thicker, sturdier shingles typically cost more than lighter, thinner shingles. This isn’t always the case because of recent improvements in shingle quality, but it’s generally the rule that you’ll pay more for heavier shingles. 

If you’re upgrading your existing roof or installing a roof on some new construction, understanding the weights you’re dealing with will help your project go smoothly and end in success!

Knowing how much their shingles weigh always plays into the disposal for people replacing their roofs. Waste companies and roof removal services are the businesses you’ll hire to get rid of your old shingles. These services typically base their estimates on how much weight they’ll be taking off your home or commercial building.

By finding out how much does a bundle of shingles weigh, you can avoid expensive charges and costly delays.

How Much Does a Bundle of Shingles Weigh?

The more effort you put into pre-planning your roof replacement or removal, the more money you will save. In addition, you’ll avoid unwelcome surprises and frustrating fees by sorting out everything up front. 

As a property owner, you need to find out or calculate the shingle’s weight when replacing and repairing your roof. This goes for complete roof removals or spot repairs after a storm or normal wear and tear. 

We mentioned earlier, calculating weight is part of your replacement project, and the weight of your shingles is important to estimating costs around removal and final disposal. Too often, homeowners fail to account for how they get rid of old shingles. Usually, there are too many shingles to simply stick in your garbage can for weekly pickup. 

Also, not every roof replacement or installation company handles roof removal. Make sure you understand what they will handle, so they don’t show up and tell you they can’t work because your existing shingles are still on your roof. 

Choosing a reliable dumpster service that offers trash removal and the correct weight allowance is one way to go. In this instance, knowing your shingle weight is vital because it will help you understand how much dumpster space you need. If you’re not sure, you may end up paying for too little or too much dumpster space. Zeroing in on precise shingle weight saves money and time. 

Factors to Consider Before Buying Shingles

via Douglas Sacha / Getty Images

When it comes to understanding the roofing industry and what you’ll pay for shingles, you need to know some industry terms. One such term is “roofing square.” A roofing square is equal to 100 square feet. 

Don’t make the mistake of confusing a single roofing square with a square foot. When you buy shingles, most contractors will quote you in roofing squares. 

If your home’s roof measures 600 sq. ft, it equals 6 (six) roofing squares. It is mandatory to understand this terminology to determine the weight of your roofing material.

One interesting aspect of the roofing business is that you sell roof shingles in squares, but people buy them in bundles.

A rule of thumb is that one bundle of shingles can cover one-third 1/3rd of a roofing square. 

Remember, the thicker the bundle of shingles is, the more durable it is. So, with thicker shingles, you’re going to need more bundles to cover your roof because the thickness means there are fewer shingles in each bundle.

Depending on the size of your roof and how many bundles you need, you may pay significantly more for thicker, heavy-duty shingle bundles. So it’s something to consider before you buy. 

Whether you’re doing calculations on your own or dealing with a contractor, weight and thickness are factors to consider before any work begins. Also, make sure you know how many bundles of each type of shingle you’ll need to cover the area you need.

Different Types of Shingles

These days, there is a lot of variety in shingles. Different colors, shapes, designs, and thicknesses all impact how your roof looks and performs. Unfortunately, not all shingles are the same. The difference starts in manufacturing and makes its way all the way until the shingles hit the shelves. 

Your main choices include:

• Thickness
• Design
• Colors
• Material

Shingles typically come in bundles that weigh anywhere from 50 to 85 pounds. The ordinary 3-tab shingles are 50 to 60 pounds. However, as you move up in quality, bundles come in at around 60 to 80 pounds. Higher-end design shingles, for instance, usually weigh more. Cedar shingles are typically the heaviest, and a normal bundle can weigh up to 85 pounds. 

Obviously, the amount of moisture in wood shingles plays a big part in how much they weigh. Wet shingles will be much heavier than dry cedar shingles.

Quality of Shingles

Now that we know shingle weight and thickness can vary widely, you need to understand some more about shingle quality. 

We’ve already said that thickness is often an indication of quality. The material used to make the shingles also affects durability and performance. Different shingles come with varying warranties and fire resistance as well. 

High-quality shingles stand up better in bad weather and will last years longer than lower-quality, more affordable shingles. 

Before you ask for the cheapest shingles, you should factor in quality and what sort of maintenance costs you can expect over the lifetime of your roof. 

How to Calculate the Cost of a Bundle of Shingles

Calculating the costs of shingles is simple enough. First, you have to know how many roofing squares you’ll need. Then, based on the roofing squares, you need to calculate how many shingle bundles you’ll need. Each bundle should tell you how many squares it will cover. 

Transportation costs are something a lot of people forget to factor into the final price of roof installation or roof replacement. Unless you have a pickup truck, you probably need to hire a delivery service or rent a truck yourself. It can add a lot to your price tag. 

Let’s do an exercise to help you calculate costs. Follow these steps:

1. Decide if you want high-end shingles or shingles made of three-tab asphalt.
2. To buy regular shingles, multiply the required roofing squares by the factor of 3.  
3.  Calculate your final cost.

For example, if your roof’s size is six squares, you will need 18 bundles of shingles. Generally, roofing contractors use the following guidelines;

50 to 85 pounds for 1 bundle

150 to 250 pounds for 1 square

You can also use these figures to determine whether your shingles will fit in a heavy load or if you need multiple trips to transport the bundles. But, again, these are general guidelines, and the type of shingles you choose will affect the weight of your bundles.

Weight of one bundle x Total number of bundles x Number of shingle layers = Total Weight

Using this equation, you can conveniently figure out the weight as well as the dumpster size you need for removing old shingles. 

If this calculation method seems difficult, try this quick calculation:

The amount of shingle material removed from the roof is equal to the amount of the materials you are going to put on it. That means finding out the total weight of old shingles can help you determine the weight of new shingles. And it will definitely make your job easier.

The overall cost of your home repair project or roof installation may increase if the size and quality of shingles are different.  

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, buying shingles and disposing of old shingles requires a bit of math to get right. No one wants to end up with too many extra shingles after the project is complete, and booking another dumpster when the one you have is too full is never fun. 

Any small project is easier to calculate than something larger, like a new roof installation. If you make a mistake, you have to make a quick trip to the store to buy more shingles. However, working with contractors and other workers on larger projects pays to get things right the first time around. Then, you’ll save time and avoid situations where the store runs out of the materials you need because you didn’t secure the proper amount in the beginning. 

When in doubt, work with an experienced roofing contractor or someone with experience calculating shingle weight. They’ll make your job a lot easier. 

The post How Much Does a Bundle of Shingles Weigh? Learn How to Save Money appeared first on Nombach.

The main aim of architectural shingles is to give the look of heavy-duty roofing materials like slate or cedar, but at a fraction of the cost. They’re also much cheaper and can be easier to install. In this article, we’re going to look at a few issues surrounding architectural shingles, along with whether they’re right for you and a few other issues if you’re looking to get the job done. Keep reading for all the info you need on architectural shingles, including how to install them yourself if you want to give that a go.

What are architectural shingles?

Architectural shingles are primarily decoration for your home, and can give it a much more expensive look or attractive finish (but without costing as much as you might think). However, that’s not all they’re good for. Architectural shingles can also be quite heavy-duty and provide an extra layer of protection to your home with the increased durability they bring.

via

If you’ve got an old home and want to upgrade the appearance of your exterior, especially the roof itself, then architectural singles can be a great option. They’re also good for adding an extra layer of protection.

Architectural shingles are slightly similar to regular asphalt shingles in that they do have an asphalt base. However, they differ in that they’re much thicker and are coated in fiberglass and laminated. They will generally overlap regular shingles when placed on top.

These shingles are reasonably heavy, and can weight twice as much as regular asphalt shingles (or sometimes even more). That brings their weight in at around 100 lbs per shingle. That’s why you’ll need to be sure your roof can support the additional weight. Re-inforcing your roofing joints might be necessary. While you can install architectural shingles yourself, you should be careful especially if your roof isn’t strong enough to support them. It might be a good idea to consult an expert or hire a roofing contractor at least to check your existing roof.

What are the main features and benefits of architectural roof shingles?

Architectural shingles are much more durable than regular shingles and will increase the lifespan of your roof considerably. While they can be a bit more expensive to buy and install, you won’t have to think about replacing them for years and they will provide a fair bit of protection to your roof.

Architectural shingles can also increase the value of your home, so this could offset some of the cost. They’re also considered more energy efficient than many roofing alternatives.

Overlaying vs tearing-off

Many homes will have standard 3-tab shingles. These shingles are lighter and cheaper, and look like 3 separate pieces but are really only one. They won’t last as long and aren’t as long-lasting as architectural shingles.

If you’ve already got 3-tab shingles, you might be able to overlay with architectural ones while leaving them in place. This will cost less, as you won’t have to tear off and start again. However, if there are any issues with the 3-tab layer, repairs could be much more expensive and the duration of the roof could be shortened. You can also only overlay once. That’s why tearing off and laying a new original layer is recommended by many roofers.

How to install architectural shingles

If you aren’t sure how to do this yourself, either consult an expert for advice or hire an external roofing company to do the job for you. Never take on something you aren’t sure how to do. Always work safely and use the right safety equipment. Roof work can be dangerous, so you need to be careful. If you’re sure you want to install the shingles yourself, then here’s how:

Start by nailing down a row of start shingles on the bottom edge of the roof. Lay more shingles on the sides of the roof, so that they overlap the start shingles. The first row of shingles should overhang the drip edge of the roof. Around an inch should do. each shingle will require around 4 nails (underneath the tar line and about half an inch under where the next shingle will overlap).

Do both sides first and then install ridge cap shingles over the top. Work from left to right, or in a methodical way. Overlap each shingle so it covers the nail underneath and then nail it down on top. Do this all the way across your roof. Nails should be sealed with roofing tar to make it water-resistant.

How much do architectural shingles cost?

To buy architectural shingles you might be looking at around $25 per square foot. This is clearly more expensive than standard shingles, but you get what you pay for. They should last much longer and even save on energy costs by providing better insulation. When you also consider how much they could increase the value of your home, they might be much more affordable than you might think.

How to find the right contractor to install architectural shingles

While you can do a good job when installing architectural shingles yourself if you’ve got the right skills and equipment, it’s not the job for everyone. If you’d rather let an expert take care of things, then here are a few tips to help you find the right one for you.

You can start your search online, but a good place check is by asking neighbors who did their roofs. They might be able to recommend or steer you away from someone. Ask for competitive quotes from different roofers and check examples of their work.

Hopefully this article has helped if you’ve been looking to get architectural shingles installed. Now you know a bit more about their benefits and the process so you can make a more informed decision.

Feature image via:

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In this article, we’re going to look at how to tear off shingles yourself, so you can get it done at a fraction of the cost.

Remember, safety is always your main priority when tearing off. If you haven’t got the right equipment or aren’t sure you can do a safe job – then don’t. Get someone in. However, if you’re careful, you can save on this part of a re-roofing job. You might still need to hire an expert contractor to apply your new roof, but that should cost less as you’ve removed the old one yourself.

Benefits of tearing off shingles 

If you tear off your old shingle roof, that normally means you’re about to get a completely new roof. This is normally the best option for older roofs with a lot of damage, and especially ones that have already been overlaid.

You see, a slightly damaged shingle roof can be temporarily fixed by overlaying a new layer of shingle. This can often be a cheaper option and could give your roof another decade or two of good use. You can also spot fix certain areas with re-laying if your whole roof doesn’t have issues.

However, you can only overlay a roof once. This means that for many of you – tearing off and applying a completely new roof. Either a new shingle roof, or you could decide to go with a different finish.

The good news is that although a new roof might be more expensive, it’s the most sustainable and durable option and should give your home protection for decades. One way to save on the costs of a completely new shingle (or other) roof, is to remove the old layer yourself and then hire an expert to apply the new one, rather than hiring them to do the whole job themselves.

If you want to know how to tear off your old shingle roof, then you’re in the right place. Let’s have a look:

How to tear off shingles – First steps 

This needs repeating just to emphasize how important it is, remember: safety first. You need to make sure you’ve got the right equipment and gear to do the job safely. If you’re unsure, don’t do it.

Expert roofers have years of experience performing this sort of work in a safe way. Don’t work alone and make sure you’ve got the right harnesses and other safety equipment. Work slowly and methodically and don’t rush anything. Don’t work in adverse weather conditions or poor light.

If you’ve got your safety sorted, we can start looking at how to do the tearing off process yourself:

Make sure you’ve got all the right tools for the job. These include:

• roof jacks
• chalk line
• broom magnet
• ladders
• roofing shovel
• hammer and tacker
• gloves
• broom
• pry bar
• safety harness
• goggles.

Your first step is to start planning. You might want to start by getting a few bids from roofing contractors to see how much they quote for the price. You’ll want to know if the savings are really worth making compared to the time and effort it might take you to do the job.

You might also want to check local building regulations for advice and to see exactly what roof finishes are allowed in your area – or if there are any specific rules in your location.

Your preparation work should involve protecting windows and air-con units with secured plywood (using a hammer and nails). You should also cover up plants in the garden and other things that need protecting new your house with tarps.

Nail the roof jacks below the area you intend to tear off and secure wooden boards as protection. Rent a container or skip and place it near your roof so that you can easily throw old shingles into it.

You can now start stripping the roof with your tear off tools. Remember to start at the peak and work downwards. Work from the area furthest from your trash skip first. Use a garden fork or a roofing shovel to tear away ridge caps first and then the rest of the shingles. Works downwards towards the pre-installed safety board you put in place earlier.

Ignore when some nails come up with shingles and others don’t. Work downwards and then start at the top again to work in rows. Throw all the shingles and roof pieces, along with any other debris, off the roof into your trash container. Dispose of multiple smaller pieces rather than removing big heavy pieces all at once.

Take care around chimneys, roof windows and other areas with flashing. Some of these might need replacing if they are rusty or cracked, but you can preserve ones that are in good shape if you’re careful.

You can carefully bend flashing and pull shingles from underneath if you’re trying to save it. When you’ve completed everything above the roof jacks, you can remove them and start working the lower part of your roof and down to the edges. Be careful at the eaves and remove shingles with your hands.

After you’ve removed all the shingles and any old flashing, give the roof a good clean. Apply protective ice and water barriers to keep the roof secure against rain and other weather until a new roof has been installed.

How to remove shingles – When to hire an expert

If you don’t understand any of these steps, or think it feels complicated, you might want to hire an expert to do the job for you. While you might save some money on tearing off your own roof, your safety is more important. If you haven’t got the time or inclination to fix your roof yourself, then find an expert contractor who can do a great job for you so you don’t have to.

The post How to Tear Off Shingles The Right Way Step by Step Guide appeared first on Nombach.