Have you decided to use a metal roof in your building project? It has lots of applications and has been used in both commercial and residential projects in recent years. If you’re planning a metal roof installation, you’ll need to understand how pitch affects your plans. Here’s everything that you need to know about metal roof pitch.
The Benefits Of A Metal Roof
Before even thinking about roof pitch, you’ll need to consider what kind of roof you want to install. There are lots of different options, but more and more people are choosing metal roofs. These were most commonly used for commercial buildings, but now they’re showing more and more on residential buildings too.
There are lots of reasons why you would want to go with a metal roof. Firstly, you can use a metal roof to really protect your home against the elements. There are fewer potential entry points for water so that you can avoid most cases of water damage.
As well as this, most metal roofs are rated A for fire resistance, the highest rating you can get. Overall they do last for a long time, giving you up to 70 years, while a shingle roof will last up to 25 years when well cared for.
Now you’ve decided to go with a metal roof, and you’ll need to decide what to do about the roof’s pitch.
What Is Meant By Metal ‘Roof Pitch’?
Firstly you need to understand what ‘roof pitch’ is and how it affects your project. Put simply, the pitch of the roof refers to a roof that has a downward slope. There may be a roof with a slope in just one direction, or it may have a slope in two different directions, forming a peak at the top.
Roofs are most usually pitched to help protect them from poor weather conditions. For example, if you get a lot of rain where you’re building, you’ll want to install a metal roof pitch. That slope will allow the rainwater to roll off the roof and into the gutters so that it can be directed away from the building. It also allows snow to slide off, rather than collecting and causing more problems like ice dams and added weight to the roof itself.
How Is Roof Pitch Measured?
To understand pitch, you’ll need to understand how roof pitch is measured. A metal roof pitch will be expressed using a ratio. The ratio will indicate how much the roof rises by every 12 inches the roof runs horizontally. For example, if the roof pitch is 3:12, the roof rises 3 inches every 12 inches the roof runs horizontally. Commonly, you’ll see roof pitches of 3:12, ½:12, and ¼:12.
Do Metal Roofs Need To Be Pitched?
Now the question is, do you need to have a metal roof pitch? Pitch protects against weather, but metal roofs are hardier than most other roofing materials. They offer fewer entry points to water, for example, as they are laid in large sheets rather than in smaller shingles. Does that mean that it doesn’t need to be pitched?
Like all roofs, a metal roof pitch does need some slope to it, even if you’re aiming to install a ‘flat’ roof. Without the pitch, any water won’t roll off and so will cause ponding on the roof. That can lead to further problems down the line, so there are minimum requirements for pitches.
There are different pitch requirements for metal roofs, depending on how it’s constructed:
- A metal roof that is lapped with non-soldered seams without lap sealant will be 3:12, otherwise known as a 25% slope.
- A metal roof that’s lapped and has non-soldered seams with lap sealant will need to be at least ½:12, or a 4% slope.
- A metal roof with a standing seam system needs to be ¼:12, or a 2% slope.
This is according to international building codes that were implemented in 2012. There may be extra requirements in your area, so you’ll need to check local building codes at the planning stages.
Low Or Steep Slope?
Now you know what the requirements are. You’ll need to decide whether you want a low or steep slope for your project. There are some benefits to both, so you’ll need to consider them when making a decision:
Low slopes: A low slope is anything under 3:12. These are often less costly to produce and install, as fewer materials are needed to construct them. It has a simpler geometry, too, so it’s much easier to install. Again, that reduces costs when it comes to implementing the roof structure. You’ll usually see a low slope roof on commercial structures, as they work well on larger buildings.
Steep slopes: A steeper slope is anything that’s over 3:12. It would be best if you considered these for areas that see a lot of rain and snow. The steeper slope will make it much easier for it to run off and into your gutters. Of course, the gutters need to be kept in top shape, too, to allow that to happen. They’re most often used on residential structures, as it often looks attractive on these buildings.
What Roof Profile Should You Use?
Now you know the basics of metal roof pitches. You’ll want to decide what kind of pitch you want on your project. There’s all kinds of things that you will need to consider, such as building type, weather, local building codes, and so on.
The best way to get the right roof pitch is to talk to a reputable building company, so they can help you pick the right option for you. They have the expertise, so they can walk you through everything you need to know.
Now you know everything you need to know about installing a metal roof pitch on your next project. With this guide, you can start to make decisions, along with the help of an experienced roofing company.
