Calculated Roof Dimensions

NOTE-- We retired the BidMagic construction estimating software in 2001. It has been replaced by Goldenseal construction estimating software.

We still include this BidMagic estimating software manual as a convenience for users of our older program. Many features are similar, in Goldenseal estimating.

The BidMagic construction estimating software uses the information entered into the Roof card to calculate several roof dimensions. Roof area is calculated in squares (one square = 100 square feet), dormer wall area and gable wall area are in square feet, and the other roof dimensions are in lineal feet.

If you lock any of these dimensions, they will be calculated for you, based on a simple rectangular roof of the selected type (or a series of simple rectangles for a complex roof).

If the roof is not a simple rectangle, roof area and length of eaves should still be correct, but the length of hips, ridge, rake and valley may need to be adjusted. For an addition, BidMagic estimating software will not include the 'saddle' over existing roofs, if one is needed (see page 348).

Roof area-- The actual area to be roofed is calculated based on the horizontal area under roofs. The area of overhangs is added to this quantity, then the sum is adjusted upwards based on the slope--the steeper the roof, the larger the roof area.

Ridge-- Enter the total lineal footage of all ridges being worked on as a part of the project. A ridge is any horizontal roof line at the peak, where drainage changes. HINT: A shed roof has no ridge, a simple gable roof always has a ridge, and a simple hip roof has a short ridge unless the building is exactly square.

Hip-- Enter the total lineal footage of all hips being worked on as a part of the project. A hip is similar to a ridge, but it slopes. HINT: Flat, shed, gable, gambrel, arch and dome roofs have no hips, while a hip or mansard roof has one hip at each outside corner.

Eaves-- Enter the total lineal footage of all eaves being worked on as a part of the project. An eave is any roof line where the roof ends and water drips over. HINT: A flat roof will usually have either no eaves, or eaves on all four sides, depending on whether water is allowed to drip over the edge. A simple shed roof has eaves on one side, a simple gable, gambrel or arch roof has eaves on two sides, and a simple hip, mansard or dome roof has eaves on all sides. A roof with parapets may have eaves on one or two sides, or it may have no eaves at all if the water is drained internally, or if canales are used to conduct water through a parapet.

Rake-- Enter the total lineal footage of all rakes being worked on as a part of the project. A rake is any roof line where the roof ends, and water does not drip over. However if the roof ends at a parapet wall, it is not considered to have a rake. HINT: A flat roof without parapets has rake on all sides, unless they are considered to be eaves. A simple shed roof has rakes on three sides, a simple gable, gambrel or arch roof has rakes on the gable ends, and a simple hip, mansard or dome roof has no rakes.