There is no fixed number. A bundle — also called a unit, bunk or lift — is packed at the mill to a target weight, so the count falls as the panels get thicker and differs between mills at the same thickness. The count is printed on the band tag or the delivery ticket.
There is no fixed number. A bundle — also called a unit, bunk or lift — is packed at the mill to a target weight, so the count falls as the panels get thicker and differs between mills at the same thickness. The count is printed on the band tag or the delivery ticket.
These are four regional names for a single mill-banded stack of panels, and a "pallet" of sheet goods usually means the same again. None of them is a fixed quantity. Yards in different parts of the country favour different words, which is most of why the question gets asked at all.
The count that matters is printed on the band tag and repeated on the delivery ticket. That is the only figure that is right for your order, because it is the one describing the actual stack on the truck.
This is why no honest single number exists for it, and why a figure copied from another site can be wrong on your delivery. Ask the yard for the count when you order, or read it off the tag when it arrives.
You do not need it. Order by sheet count and let the yard work out how the sheets ship — that is their problem, and they will tell you what a full unit is when you ask for a unit price.
| Footprint | Roof area | Squares | Sheets at 10% waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,118 sq ft | 11.2 | 39 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,677 sq ft | 16.8 | 58 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,236 sq ft | 22.4 | 77 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 2,795 sq ft | 28 | 97 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 3,354 sq ft | 33.5 | 116 |
A sheet of 4x8 covers exactly 32 square feet, which is 3.125 sheets per roofing square. That figure never varies, which is what makes it the one to estimate against.
| Rafter spacing | Common minimum | What most builders use |
|---|---|---|
| 16 in centres | 3/8 in | 1/2 in plywood or 7/16 in OSB |
| 24 in centres | 5/8 in | 19/32 or 5/8 in |
| Under tile or heavy snow | 5/8 in | 5/8 in regardless of spacing |
The span rating stamped on the panel is what actually governs, not the nominal thickness. Read the stamp.
| Material | Unit | Covers | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural shingles | Bundle | ≈33.3 sq ft | 3 bundles per square; printed on the wrapper |
| Three-tab shingles | Bundle | ≈33.3 sq ft | 3 bundles per square |
| Designer / heavyweight shingles | Bundle | ≈25 or 20 sq ft | 4 or 5 bundles per square — always check |
| Hip and ridge cap | Bundle | ≈20–25 linear ft | At 5 in exposure; brand-dependent |
| Three-tab cut into caps | Bundle | ≈33 linear ft | Each shingle yields three caps |
| Starter strip | Bundle | ≈100–120 linear ft | Eaves and rakes both need it |
| Roof sheathing | 4x8 sheet | 32 sq ft | Exact — 3.125 sheets per square |
| Synthetic underlayment | Roll | 10 squares (1,000 sq ft) | Before laps; allow ~10% |
| 15 lb felt | Roll | 4 squares (400 sq ft) | Before laps |
| 30 lb felt | Roll | 2 squares (200 sq ft) | Before laps |
| Ice and water shield | Roll | 200 sq ft | 36 in x 66.7 ft — 2 squares |
| Drip edge | 10 ft piece | ≈9 ft 10 in | After a 2 in lap |
| Valley metal | 10 ft piece | ≈9 ft 6 in | After a 6 in lap |
| Roofing nails, 1¼ in | Pound | ≈140 nails | ≈2 lb per square at 4 nails |
| Coil nails | Coil | 120 nails | ≈2.2 coils per square, architectural |
| Roof coating | Gallon | 50–100 sq ft per coat | Rate is on the pail; texture halves it |
| Exposed-fastener metal panel | Panel | 36 in of width | 38 in nominal, 36 in after sidelap |
Field material is bought by area and everything that keeps water out of it is bought by the linear foot. An estimate worked from the area alone is always short of the second list.
There is no fixed number. A bundle — also called a unit, bunk or lift — is packed at the mill to a target weight, so the count falls as the panels get thicker and differs between mills at the same thickness. The count is printed on the band tag or the delivery ticket.
The same thing as a bundle, a unit or a lift — one mill-banded stack of panels. The word varies by region rather than by quantity, and the count is printed on the band tag.
That is exact arithmetic: roof area divided by 32 square feet per 4x8 sheet, plus waste. A 2,000 square foot footprint at 6/12 pitch is 2,236 square feet of roof, which needs about 77 sheets at 10% waste.
No. Yards split units routinely and sell by the sheet, though a full unit usually carries a better price. Ask for both when you order — the break-even is often only a few sheets away.