Estimating Roof Dimensions

NOTE-- In 2000 we introduced Goldenseal roof construction estimating software, and retired both our older computer software programs (MacNail and BidMagic). There are still die-hard users of both programs, so we keep the manuals online for their use! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, job costing and contract writing features. It uses roof dimensions that are based on BidMagic, which did a better job than MacNail at calculating roofing measurements.

Roof Dimensions

You will normally measure basic roof dimensions from the plans, elevations, or other drawings. Type the following measurements into the MacNail construction estimating software:

1. For this project, type in an overhang of 1 foot and a roof slope of 4 (inches per foot).
2. Type in 0 feet of hips, 22 feet of eaves (20 foot length plus 1 foot overhang at either end), 0 feet of ridge, and 34 feet of rake.
NOTE: The Hyper*Estimators can do a much quicker job of calculating these basic roof dimensions, for most projects.
3. Also type in 0 ft of valley, 0 dormers, and 0 gables--or just leave those cells blank.
4. Type in 1 downspout.
5. The two items in italic (dormer and gable wall areas) contain formulas that calculate a 'best guess' for you. To see the calculated values, choose Calculate Now from the OPTIONS menu (see page 173). In this case, they should both be 0 (zero), since there are no gables and no dormers.
6. The total roof area and the total building height are calculated for you when you choose Calculate Now. For this project, you do not have to change the suggested values.