Roof Sheathing Calculator

How to Use the Roof Sheathing Calculator

Step 1: Input Roof Dimensions

Begin by measuring the length and width of your roof in feet. These measurements will help determine the surface area that requires sheathing. Ensure that both dimensions are within the range of 1 to 1000 feet.

• Roof Length (feet): Enter the total length of your roof. This is a required field.
• Roof Width (feet): Enter the total width of your roof. This is also a required field.

Step 2: Select Roof Pitch

The roof pitch describes the steepness of your roof, impacting the total sheathing area. Choose the appropriate roof pitch from the dropdown menu. The options range from 2/12 (9.5°) to 12/12 (45.0°). This selection is mandatory and will be factored into the calculation of the actual roof area.

Step 3: Choose Sheathing Type

Select the sheathing type you intend to use for your roofing project. There are typically two sizes available:

• 4′ x 8′ (32 sq ft): Standard size sheathing panels.
• 4′ x 4′ (16 sq ft): Smaller sheathing panels.

This choice is required as it determines the number of panels needed to cover the calculated roof area.

Step 4: Enter Waste Percentage

During a roofing project, material waste is often unavoidable due to cuts and adjustments. Enter the waste percentage you expect, which can range from 0 to 100%. This value is required to calculate the total amount of sheathing you need to purchase.

Step 5: View Results

Once all input fields are filled, the calculator will display the results:

• Actual Roof Area: Calculated using the formula roofLength * roofWidth * roofPitch. This outputs the total area that needs covering, expressed in square feet.
• Sheets Needed (Before Waste): The calculator employs the formula ceil(actualRoofArea / sheathingType) to provide the number of sheathing panels required to cover the roof area, disregarding waste.
• Total Sheets Needed (Including Waste): Uses the formula ceil(sheetsNeeded * (1 + (wastePercentage / 100))) to estimate how many panels to purchase, accounting for your specified waste percentage.
• Total Coverage Area: Displays the total area that will be covered by the purchased sheathing, calculated as sheetsWithWaste * sheathingType.

Ensure you verify the results before making a purchase to avoid unnecessary expenses or shortages.