Roof measurement in Chicago, IL
Your first roof estimate before you climb — roof area, pitch and squares for any Chicago address, measured from aerial LiDAR.
Preliminary measurement from public aerial LiDAR · U.S. addresses · No sign-up
Chicago roofs at a glance
Footprint statistics: residential-size buildings (600–6,000 sq ft) within ~2 km of the Chicago centre point in our building database. Roof area assumes a 6/12 pitch for illustration — your roof is measured from its own LiDAR.
Roofing material costs for a typical Chicago roof
Material-only prices for a 1,350 sq ft roof, adjusted to Illinois’s price level (104 vs. U.S. 100) and including a typical waste allowance. Labor, tear-off, disposal and tax are extra.
| Material | Per square (IL) | Waste | Typical roof, material only | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural shingles | $114–$177 | 10% | $1,700–$2,600 | 25–30 yrs |
| 3-tab shingles | $88–$145 | 10% | $1,300–$2,150 | 15–20 yrs |
| Impact-resistant shingles (Class 4) | $135–$218 | 10% | $2,000–$3,250 | 30–40 yrs |
| Standing seam metal (steel) | $260–$467 | 14% | $4,000–$7,200 | 40–70 yrs |
| Stone-coated steel | $363–$675 | 13% | $5,550–$10,300 | 40–70 yrs |
| Metal shingles | $311–$623 | 12% | $4,700–$9,400 | 40–60 yrs |
| Concrete tile | $311–$727 | 15% | $4,850–$11,300 | 40–50 yrs |
| Clay tile | $519–$1,246 | 15% | $8,050–$19,350 | 50–100 yrs |
| TPO membrane | $156–$311 | 10% | $2,300–$4,650 | 20–30 yrs |
Planning prices as of 2026-10; not a supplier quote. Measure the actual address above for your roof’s own area and pitch. How we price materials →
Roof measurement FAQ — Chicago
How big is a typical roof in Chicago?
The median home footprint we map near central Chicago is about 1,207 sq ft (middle half: 996–1,463 sq ft). At a common 6/12 pitch that is roughly 1,350 sq ft of roof surface, or 14 squares before waste.
What LiDAR data covers Chicago?
Roofs in Chicago are measured from the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), 2019 survey (dataset USGS_LPC_IL_4County_Cook_2017_LAS_2019). LiDAR is a snapshot from the flight date — newer construction may not be visible yet.
How much do roofing materials cost in Illinois?
Material prices in Illinois run about 4% above the U.S. average (BEA Regional Price Parities, goods). For the typical Chicago roof, architectural shingles come to roughly $1,700–$2,600 in material only, before labor and tear-off.
Can I measure a roof in Chicago without climbing it?
Yes — type the address above for a free preliminary measurement. For a full 3D report with every facet, ridge, hip and valley, use the RoofTap iPhone app. Always verify on site before ordering.
Full 3D roof reports in Chicago
Every facet, ridge, hip and valley, material quote and a branded PDF — in the RoofTap iPhone app.
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