Roofing Basics: Measuring and Calculating Iron Sheets Needed

First, determine the roof area by multiplying length and width. For a 30x15 feet house, the area is 450 square feet. Roof pitch and overhangs can affect this, so it's crucial to include those measurements.

Iron sheets in Kenya typically come in 2.5x8 feet and 3x8 feet sizes. Knowing the size helps calculate how many sheets are required for the total roof area, taking overlaps into account.

Divide the total roof area by the area of one sheet. For 3x8 feet sheets, each covers 24 square feet. Consider overlaps; an effective coverage might be around 22 square feet per sheet. For 450 square feet, you'd need approximately 21 sheets.

Roof pitch affects material usage. A steeper pitch increases the surface area, requiring more sheets. For example, a moderate pitch could add 10-15% to your material needs, so it's vital to adjust calculations accordingly.

Consider factors like wastage, cutting losses, and future repairs. Purchasing an extra 10% of materials can save time and ensure consistency in case of damage or mistakes during installation.

Did you know? In some parts of Kenya, people traditionally used banana leaves for roofing before iron sheets became common.