Calculating Lineal Inches

Photo: Douglas Friedman via Architectural Digest.com

One easy method to calculate the number of shingle boxes you need is with Lineal Inches.

This is helpful for ordering your boxed shingles, no matter the exposure, and for ordering the correct amount of undercourse.

To get the Lineal Inches of your project, follow the steps below:

1.       Measure the width of your wall

a.       Take the length of the wall X the number of courses (rows)

b.       For triangles (roof gable ends) carefully add up each row

2.       Add the measurements of all walls and/or gables together = your Lineal Feet

3.       Multiply your Lineal Feet by 12

To Find out how many boxes of shingles you’ll need, using Lineal Inches:

1.       Divide the lineal inches by your desired box size:

a.       1 square boxes = 1000 lineal inches

b.       ½ square boxes = 500 lineal inches

c.       Fancy Cut Shingle Boxes = 480 lineal inches