Shingle bundles for 1,700 sq ft of roof
These counts are for 1,700 sq ft of actual roof surface, measured on the slope. Most architectural and 3-tab shingles come three bundles to a square (100 sq ft); some heavier premium shingles take four. Suppliers sell whole bundles, so each count is rounded up.
| Waste allowance | Squares to order | Bundles (3 a square) | Bundles (4 a square) |
|---|---|---|---|
| None (exact) | 17.0 | 51 | 68 |
| 10% (simple gable) | 18.7 | 57 | 75 |
| 15% (hip, valleys) | 19.6 | 59 | 79 |
| 20% (complex roof) | 20.4 | 62 | 82 |
You will also need about 2 rolls of synthetic underlayment (1,000 sq ft rolls with 10% for laps), plus starter strip along the eaves and rakes and ridge cap along the ridges and hips.
If 1,700 sq ft is the house footprint
Many people know the floor area of the house, not the roof. A roof covers the footprint plus the overhang, and the slope makes it larger again. For a 50 × 34 ft house (1,700 sq ft) with a 1 ft overhang, the roof covers 1,872 sq ft in plan, and the table shows how the pitch adds to that. Bundles include 10% waste, at three a square.
| Roof pitch | Roof area (sq ft) | Squares | Bundles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 1,973 | 19.7 | 66 |
| 6/12 | 2,093 | 20.9 | 70 |
| 8/12 | 2,250 | 22.5 | 75 |
| 10/12 | 2,437 | 24.4 | 81 |
| 12/12 | 2,647 | 26.5 | 88 |
The roofing calculator on this page opens on 1,700 sq ft of roof surface. To work from a house instead, switch "What do you know?" to the house footprint and enter its size, overhang and pitch, or read how to calculate roofing squares step by step.
Weight, nails and edge metal
Architectural shingles weigh about 60 to 80 lb a bundle, so 57 bundles are roughly 3,990 lb (2.0 tons) to lift onto the roof, which is the hard part of the job. Spread bundles across the roof's rafters, never stacked in one spot.
At about 320 nails a square (four per shingle), a 17.0 square roof uses around 5,440 nails, which is a 25 lb box or a couple of coils for a nail gun. Drip edge runs along the eaves and up the rakes: measure those edges and divide by 10 for the number of 10 ft pieces.
A 1,700 sq ft roof: what a small measuring error does
At 1,700 sq ft the roof is 17.0 squares: 51 bundles, or 57 with 10% waste. A roof this size is hard to measure exactly from the ground, so it helps to know how much an error matters. If the true area is 5% larger, 1,785 sq ft, the order with waste becomes 59 bundles, which is 2 more.
That is why the waste allowance should not be asked to cover a poor measurement as well as the cuts. Measure each plane on the roof if it is safe to do so, or from inside the attic along a rafter, and add the planes up. If you can only estimate, order at the higher figure and ask the supplier whether unopened bundles can be returned.
Tearing off the old roof
Old shingles weigh about what new ones do: 60 to 80 lb a bundle at three bundles a square is 1.8 to 2.4 lb per sq ft. Stripping 1,700 sq ft of roof with one layer on it therefore sends 3,060 to 4,080 lb to the dumpster, which is 1.5 to 2.0 tons. A second layer doubles it.
Dumpsters are rented by volume but have a weight limit, and roofing can reach that limit before the container looks full. Tell the rental firm the area of the roof and the number of layers, and ask what the limit is and what each extra ton costs. Old felt, nails and any rotten decking add to the load.
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Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many bundles of shingles do I need for 1,700 square feet?
1,700 square feet of roof is 17 squares. At three bundles a square that is 51 bundles exactly, so buy 57 bundles with 10% for waste on a simple gable roof, or 59 with 15% for a hip roof or one with valleys.
How many squares is 1,700 square feet of roof?
17 squares, because one roofing square is 100 square feet. With 10% waste you order 18.7 squares, which suppliers round to whole bundles: 57.
What if 1,700 sq ft is the size of my house, not the roof?
Then the roof is bigger, because it slopes and overhangs the walls. A 50 × 34 ft house (1,700 sq ft) with a 1 ft overhang and a 6/12 pitch has about 2,093 sq ft of roof, which is 20.9 squares and 70 bundles with 10% waste.
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.