One Square, Two Squares… Wait, What’s a Roofing Square?

If you were a fly on the wall in the office of Rocket Renovation in Hopkins, MN, you would hear a lot of industry-specific terminology. One of the most commonly used terms is ‘Square.’ At first, you might think it refers to a tool or even a type of material, but in reality, it’s one of the most essential units of measurement for exterior remodelers, installers, and contractors alike.

Understanding a Roofing Square

A Square is a unit of measurement that equals 100 square feet (SF). To visualize it, imagine an area that is 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep—that’s one Square (SQ). It’s important to note that a Square isn’t restricted to perfect squares; it can cover curved surfaces or various shapes as long as the total area adds up to exactly 100 square feet.

The History of the Term 'Square'

The use of Square as a unit of measurement traces back to Australia, where it was even commonly used in real estate transactions. The term was thought to make areas seem larger than they actually were. Some residential buildings in Victoria, Australia, are still advertised in Squares today. However, Australia later transitioned to using Square Metres instead of Square Feet. The term Square is still widely used in the USA, where the Imperial system remains standard.

How Squares Impact Roofing & Siding Materials

The concept of Squares not only helps measure areas but also influences how materials are packaged and sold.

• Roofing Shingles are typically sold in bundles. Manufacturers make it easy for roofers by selling some shingle styles in 33.33 sq ft bundles, meaning that three bundles make up one Square (100 SF). So, for a 10 Square roof, you would need 30 bundles (10 SQ × 3 bundles per SQ = 30 bundles).

• Siding Materials also follow this packaging system. Just a short drive from Rocket Renovation’s headquarters on Excelsior Blvd, you’ll find EDCO Products, a leading manufacturer of premium steel siding. Their loading dock is always bustling with contractor vans and box trucks, each picking up boxes of their high-quality metal siding—each box containing one Square of siding.

• Vinyl Siding typically comes in two Squares per carton, unlike steel siding, which is packaged in one Square per carton. The primary reason for this difference is weight—since steel is significantly heavier than vinyl, manufacturers package it in smaller quantities for easier handling.

Rocket Renovation: Your Trusted Exterior Contractor

Whether you need a new roof or want to refresh your home’s look with durable, long-lasting steel siding from EDCO, Rocket Renovation  ensures that the right amount of material is delivered and installed with precision.

📞 Call Rocket Renovation today at  612-473-9111 for expert exterior solutions or click here to schedule an inspection!