Commercial roofers across the US weigh in with tips on handling materials, repairs and more:
"Asphalt shingles have strips of adhesive that bond the shingles together after they are installed. The heat from the sun softens the adhesive. When storing asphalt shingles put them on wood pallets in a shady spot. Cover with plastic sheeting so they do not get wet before they are installed. Do not stack the bundles over 4 feet high." -Jim, Charlotte NC
"Store wood shingles and shakes in their original bundles in a dry place. If left outdoors, put them on wood pallets to get them off the ground and cover with plastic sheets. Metal roofing panels are stored horizontally on wood pallets to keep them clear of the ground. Be careful they do not bend, twist, or get scratched. Cover with plastic sheeting. Be careful with any chimney caps and chimney cracks that may arise as well" -Luis, Houston Waterproofing
"After a decision has been made on the type of roofing material to be used, the amounts of the various materials needed must be estimated. Roofing materials are estimated and sold by the square, which is the amount it takes to cover 100 square feet of finished roof surface, no matter what the actual surface area of shape of the particular roofing pieces. To find the number, divide the roof area by 100." -Alex, Oakland CA (Bay Area Roofing)
"Once the total square footage is found, divide by 100 to find the number of squares of roofing needed. The base is the width of the intersecting building. The height is the distance from the exterior wall to the point where the ridge of the intersecting roof meets the other roof." -Rob, Flower Mound
"Asphalt shingles have strips of adhesive that bond the shingles together after they are installed. The heat from the sun softens the adhesive. When storing asphalt shingles put them on wood pallets in a shady spot. Cover with plastic sheeting so they do not get wet before they are installed. Do not stack the bundles over 4 feet high." -Jim, Charlotte NC
"Store wood shingles and shakes in their original bundles in a dry place. If left outdoors, put them on wood pallets to get them off the ground and cover with plastic sheets. Metal roofing panels are stored horizontally on wood pallets to keep them clear of the ground. Be careful they do not bend, twist, or get scratched. Cover with plastic sheeting. Be careful with any chimney caps and chimney cracks that may arise as well" -Luis, Houston Waterproofing
"After a decision has been made on the type of roofing material to be used, the amounts of the various materials needed must be estimated. Roofing materials are estimated and sold by the square, which is the amount it takes to cover 100 square feet of finished roof surface, no matter what the actual surface area of shape of the particular roofing pieces. To find the number, divide the roof area by 100." -Alex, Oakland CA (Bay Area Roofing)
"Once the total square footage is found, divide by 100 to find the number of squares of roofing needed. The base is the width of the intersecting building. The height is the distance from the exterior wall to the point where the ridge of the intersecting roof meets the other roof." -Rob, Flower Mound