To find how many rolls of roofing felt you need, measure your roof size in squares, then divide by the coverage each roll provides. Most rolls cover one square, or 100 square feet. According to RubyHome, the average U.S. roof size is 2,647 square feet, or about 26.47 squares. This means you would need roughly 26 to 27 rolls of felt for an average home. However, your exact number depends on your roof pitch, overhang, and the brand of felt you buy. Always add one or two extra rolls for mistakes and overlap.
What Size Is Your Roof?
Start by finding your roof’s total square footage. You can check your home’s blueprints or measure the length and width of each roof section.
Most roofing felt comes in rolls that cover one square, which equals 100 square feet. If your roof is 2,000 square feet, you need 20 rolls. If it is 3,000 square feet, you need 30 rolls.
A 1,700 square foot roof needs about 17 rolls. According to RubyHome, roof installation costs range from $4 to $40 per square foot, and felt is just the base layer before shingles go down.
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Do You Have Obstacles or Extra Coverage?
Add extra rolls if your roof has many valleys, ridges, or chimneys. These areas need extra felt overlap for protection.
Steep roofs also waste more material because installers must overlap felt more to prevent it from sliding. According to industry data, steeper roofs shed water and snow better but need more materials during installation.
Standard Roofing Felt Coverage Chart
| Roof Size (Square Feet) | Roof Size (Squares) | Rolls Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 10 squares | 10 rolls |
| 1,500 sq ft | 15 squares | 15 rolls |
| 2,000 sq ft | 20 squares | 20 rolls |
| 2,500 sq ft | 25 squares | 25 rolls |
| 3,000 sq ft | 30 squares | 30 rolls |
Why Add Extra Rolls?
Always buy two extra rolls. Workers make cuts and mistakes, and felt can tear during installation.
According to RubyHome, roof installation costs range from $6,800 to $68,000 for a 1,700 square foot roof depending on materials and labor. Felt is cheap compared to shingles, so extra rolls protect your investment. Having spare felt saves money later if damage happens during the job.
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Work with a professional roofing solutions to protect your property with quality roofing solutions.