Start with measurements and the exact roof covering
A shingle roof materials list needs both surface-area measurements and linear measurements. Use the measured roof surface from the plans or installer, rather than the building’s floor area. Record eaves, rakes, hips, ridges, valleys and penetrations separately. Note the selected shingle manufacturer, full product-line name and color.
This checklist is for planning materials for a shingle roof. It is not an installation specification, and a repair may need a different scope from a full replacement. Your installer and the current manufacturer instructions determine which components the assembly needs.
The roofing materials checklist
| Material | Measure or specify | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Field shingles | Roof surface area, exact line and color | Coverage per package, waste allowance and whole-package quantity |
| Starter strips | Eave and rake lengths where specified | Product compatibility, placement and linear coverage per package |
| Hip and ridge caps | Hip and ridge lengths | Correct cap product, profile, color and usable linear coverage |
| Underlayment | Deck area and specified assembly | Product type and usable coverage after required laps |
| Leak barrier / self-adhered membrane | Locations and dimensions specified for the roof | Required treatment at eaves, valleys, penetrations or other details |
| Drip edge and flashing | Perimeters, walls, valleys and penetrations | Profiles, material, lengths, laps and roof-detail compatibility |
| Ventilation | Intake/exhaust layout and project requirements | Vent type, net free area and the installer’s ventilation plan |
| Roofing fasteners | Shingles, deck and accessory requirements | Specified type, material, length and package quantity |
| Sealants and other detail materials | Substrates and intended locations | Manufacturer-approved use and any accessory-specific requirements |
| Deck repair materials, if needed | Installer-assessed repair scope | Panel type, thickness, ratings and quantities from the project specification |
How many bundles of shingles do you need?
One roofing square is 100 square feet of roof area. Calculate the area to cover, add the project-specific waste allowance, then divide by the manufacturer’s stated package coverage. Round up to whole packages. Do not assume that all asphalt shingles use the same number of bundles per square.
Illustrative calculation
Suppose the measured roof is 1,000 square feet and the installer specifies a 10% allowance for this particular project. The planning area is 1,100 square feet, or 11 roofing squares. If the exact product’s documented packaging is three bundles per square, that example requires 33 bundles of field shingles.
The 10% allowance and three-bundle rate are example inputs, not recommendations for every roof. Use your installer’s allowance and the actual package coverage. Starters and ridge caps are additional quantities.
Calculate starters and ridge caps separately
Use the required eave and rake lengths for starter strips and the hip/ridge lengths for caps. Divide those measurements by the selected product’s usable linear coverage, allowing for the installation details in its instructions. Field-shingle bundle quantities do not tell you the correct starter or cap quantities.
For underlayment and membranes, distinguish the roll’s nominal area from the usable coverage after required laps and details. Flashing quantities also need to account for laps and terminations. Confirm these quantities as part of the complete roof assembly.
Common gaps to catch before requesting materials
- A materials list includes field shingles but omits starter strips or ridge caps.
- Bundle quantities were copied from another product without checking package coverage.
- Roof floor-plan area was used instead of measured roof surface area.
- Flashing at walls, penetrations or roof transitions was not included.
- Ventilation was treated as an isolated vent purchase instead of a planned intake/exhaust system.
- A warranty was assumed without checking the required assembly and installation conditions.
What to include in a roofing materials inquiry
Send the full product names, desired colors, quantities or measurements, project location and timing. Include the installer’s accessory list and note any products that still need to be selected. State whether the work is a repair or replacement and whether you are requesting material pricing only.
Browse roofing shingles, roofing accessories and roofing nails and other nails to build the list. Pricing, product availability and service coverage need confirmation; a catalog listing is not an inventory commitment.
Request a roofing materials quote →Compare product lines before finalizing the list
If you are choosing between manufacturers, read our GAF vs. CertainTeed shingles guide. Keep each proposed assembly and its supporting accessories together so the comparison covers the same roof and scope.