What Is The Most Common Roof Pitch?

Learn everything about common roof pitch, types of roof pitches, the importance and more. Choose the best roof pitch for your home today.

There are so many things you should consider when it comes to your new roof. Have you looked into the common roof pitch in your area? You will be looking into material types and styles, not to mention costs, but have you considered the pitch of your roof? This is more important than you know, so you’ll want to pick the right type of roof pitch. Here is everything you will need to know.

What Is Roof Pitch?

Firstly, what do we mean when we say ‘roof pitch’? Quite simply, this refers to the measure of the slant of your roof. The pitch of the roof is important, as this is what allows rain and snow to roll off it, avoiding water damage. Because of this, you will see that no roof is truly flat.

Roof pitch is usually expressed as a ratio. As an example, say your roof has a pitch of 10:12, what does that mean? The 10 refers to the rise of your roof in inches, so the higher it is, the steeper your roof is. The 12 in this ratio refers to the horizontal area measured, so around one foot of roofing. In this case, you’ll have a steep slope roof.

If you want to know the current pitch of your roof, you can measure it yourself. It can even be done inside your attic, so you don’t have to worry about safety. This is useful info to have, as you can decide whether you need a steeper or lower roof when you replace it.

Types Of Common Roof Pitch

There are several categories of roof pitch, and the one you choose will depend on your own needs. Here are the most common roof pitch types you will come across.

Flat:

As mentioned, no roof is ever truly flat. However, you can get a roof that only measures around 1/1:12 to 1:12. These are used for areas that need to be easily traversable. As they aren’t quite flat, water will still be able to roll off them. You do need to take care with them though, as they can be susceptible to ponding water.

Low slope:

These roofs are typically 1:12 to 4:12. These roofs will allow for a certain look, and again are easy to walk across should you need to. Like flat roofs though, they do need to be taken care of as if you get extreme rain or snow, that is going to cause problems.

Medium slope:

These roofs are 4:12 to 9:12. You will often see them referred to as 1:3 and 3:4 roofs, too. You will see that roofs at 6:12 are the most common roof pitch. They allow for a happy medium, allowing water to run off easily as well as ease of access.

Steep slope:

Finally, there’s steep slope roofs. These are any roof that has a pitch of above 9:12. As you would imagine, they are much harder to walk on, and you may need special fasteners to hold them in place. This is something you’ll need to discuss with your roofer, if you’re in the market for a steep slope roof.

How Much Pitch Should Your Roof Have?

Now that you know what kind of roof pitches are available, how steep should your own roof be? This is something that will change from area to area, as the local weather patterns have the most impact. You will already be considering those as you are choosing the materials you use, so what does the weather in your area look like?

As a basic rule of thumb, the harsher the weather is, the steeper your roof pitch should be. If you live in a more moderate climate, such as in the Southwest, you’ll see a lower pitch works well. They don’t need to repel a lot of rain or snow, so they can be lower without many problems. If you live somewhere that often sees rain, or gets heavy snow fall, then you want a higher pitch. This makes it much easier for the roof to shed any water and be protected.

The materials you want to use will also have an impact on the pitch of your roof. Concrete and metal, for example, works much better on a low pitched roof. Tiles and shingles are layered in order to shed water and snow, so they will work better on a higher pitch.

Of course, you also need to consider the look of your roof. Some people like to use higher pitches with decorative accents, to create a distinctive look. If you have a ranch style home, then a lower pitched roof will look best.

Finally, consider the pitch of the roof you have now. Does it adequately let water roll off, or have you had problems with water getting inside? That’s a sign that you may need a higher pitch.

The Importance Of Your Roof Pitch

Whichever pitch you want for your roof, remember just how important it is to the overall health of your home. The roof is your first defense against the weather, and you want to ensure it can do the best possible job.

A roof with the right pitch will be able to let the rain and snow slide off it, so rather than getting into your home, it goes right into the drain. That ensures you won’t be dealing with leaks, mold, rot and all the other problems that come with water damage in your roof.

Talk To A Roofer

If you’re still unsure as to the pitch of your roof, then you should talk to professional roofer. They have all the know how when it comes to roof pitch, and will be able to advise you on what to do. Plus, they can give you more advice on other roofing concerns, such as choosing the right materials.

Now you know everything you need to know about common roof pitch. You also know why it’s so important. Now, you will be able to select the right pitch for your new roof, and keep it in the best possible condition. If you want to know more, speak to your local roofer today.