How much ridge cap comes in a bundle?
What ridge cap is
Ridge cap shingles are the folded pieces that cover the peak and the hips, where two roof planes meet at an outside angle. On architectural roofs they are usually purpose-made pieces, thicker than field shingles, often pre-cut and sometimes pre-bent. On older three-tab roofs, crews sometimes cut caps from three-tab shingles instead.
Figuring how many bundles
- Measure the length of every ridge and every hip.
- Add them together.
- Divide by the linear feet per bundle listed on the product.
- Round up, and add a bit for starter pieces at the ends and any damaged pieces.
Example: a 40-foot ridge plus four 20-foot hips is 120 linear feet. With a product covering 25 feet per bundle, that is 4.8 bundles, so plan on 5 or 6.
Ridge vents
Where a ridge vent runs along the peak, the cap shingles go over the vent, so you still need cap for the full ridge length. Longer nails are needed to reach through the cap, the vent and into the deck.
Why matching caps matter
Manufacturers design caps to match their shingles in color and to meet wind ratings. Some enhanced and wind warranties require the maker's own ridge cap, so mixing brands can cost coverage.
See architectural vs 3-tab shingles, ridge vent vs box vents and how roofers measure a roof.