How Much Does a Bundle of Shingles Weigh?

Whether you want to replace your roof or have another roofing project that requires a roofing contractor near you, you may ask yourself, “How much does a bundle of shingles weigh?” The answer depends on a number of factors, such as material, size, and thickness. Below, we’ll dive deeper into how to figure out shingle weight so you know how to hire a roofer as well as plan for the transportation, installation, and other aspects of your roofing project.

Roofing Squares vs. Bundles of Shingles

First, it’s important to understand the differences between roofing squares and a bundle of shingles. A roofing square quantities the area of a roof and represents 100 square feet. It’s the standard unit contractors and homeowners use to estimate how many shingles are required to cover a roof.

A bundle of shingles, on the other hand, refers to how shingles are packed to be sold and distributed. It has a set number of individual shingles that are usually bundled together with plastic or paper wrap. In most cases, you’ll need three bundles of shingles to cover a square — a bundle of shingles covers 33 square feet of a roof. 

How Much Do Shingles Weigh?

The most important factor that determines the weight of shingles is the material or type of roof you’d like to install. You’ll find that 3-tab or architectural shingles weigh much less than wood or slate shingles or fiberglass shingles, for example.

Keep in mind, however, that the number of shingles in a bundle will depend on the shingle type and manufacturer. In addition, older, worn shingles are often lighter than their newer counterparts. 

Here’s a look at the average weight of shingles by roofing type.

How To Calculate the Weight of Your Shingles

Fortunately, it’s fairly simple and straightforward to calculate the weight of shingles. You’ll first need to figure out how many bundles will cover your roof. You can calculate this by dividing your roof’s square footage by 33. For example, if your roof is 1800 square feet, divide 1800 by 33. In this case, you’ll find that approximately 54 bundles of singles will cover your roof. 

Once you know the number of bundles, you can multiply it by the average weight of the bundle type. If you have 54 bundles of 3-tab shingles and the average weight of an asphalt bundle ranges from 45 to 60 pounds, the weight of all your shingles would be between 2,430 and 3,240 pounds. It’s worth ordering an extra bundle of shingles or two in case of mistakes. Also, note that weight of your shingles can impact the overall cost of your project.

Factors That Impact Shingle Weight

Photo: brizmaker / adobe stock

There is no set weight that applies to all shingles. The weight of your shingles will depend on a variety of factors, such as:

Material Composition

Some roofing materials are heavier than others. For example, architectural shingles, which are a common choice for residential roofing projects usually weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. However, heavier materials such as wood and slate can weigh hundreds of pounds.

Shingle Size and Thickness

The size and thickness of shingles also play a major role in weight. Since architectural shingles are thicker than 3-tab shingles, for example, they can weigh around 80 pounds per bundle or even more. 3-tab shingles are much lighter, with a weight between 45 to 60 pounds.

Brand and Manufacturing Process

There are countless shingle manufacturers on the market. Each brand has its own material and manufacturing processes, so weight varies. Premium brands often use higher-quality materials that result in heavier shingles. 

Size of Roof

Your roof size, which is measured in roofing squares, will have a direct affect on the amount of shingles you need. A larger roof will need more shingles and as a result, increase the overall weight of a bundle.