Roof pitch is mainly intended to allow run-off of rain and snow. Most of the time, areas where higher levels of snow or rainfall are common prefer to build roofs with steeper pitch. Well-built roofs are designed to prevent pooling of water or accumulation of snow, as over time, these can cause roof damage, from mold and leaks to cracks, or even collapse.
Many states, particularly northern states where snowfall is a normal occurrence, include minimum pitch levels in their building codes. This insurance carrier gives some general guidelines on calculating safe snow load for homeowners dealing with a surprise heavy snowfall that some areas have experienced in the last few years.
While categories of roof pitch are not strictly defined, typically they may be grouped as follows:. Many homes are built with a steep pitch because the angled shapes are attractive to the eye.
Building a high pitched roof costs a little more as the vertical angle means the roof span is longer and more materials are required to build it.
A high pitch roof may also require more skilled labor to build and maintain. Decorative additions like gables or eaves will add more cost, but these also add to the interest and charm of the roof.
Generally, though, in areas with no more than light snows, a fairly low pitched roof does the job and fits well with popular styles like ranch homes and most homes in the Southwest. Some materials are more appropriate for a low pitch, such as metal or concrete roofing, while tile and shingles, which are layered to shed precipitation, work best on moderate to high pitch roofing.
Of course, climate is a key factor in selecting the roof pitch for your home. Now that you understand how to calculate your pitch, you will know if SmartVent attic Intake ventilation is right for your home or project.
SmartVent is a patented roof and attic ventilation product that provides the best passive attic ventilation a vailable. Using a unique design and installation method, SmartVent eliminates the problems and inefficiencies found in roof construction using ridge and soffit venting, namely inadequate vent openings in the soffit.
SmartVent attic ventilation is virtually invisible on the roof. Click on the images below to see how your house could look. SmartVent also satisfies all ridge vent and exhaust vent requirements. Do you have a question about SmartVent? On the other hand, visually appealing roofing products such as shingles or tiles do not work well on low-slope roofs. Additional Factors Of course, roof pitch is not the only factor in system selection.
Often, the weight of the roof plays a deciding factor. Vegetated and ballasted roofs, for instance, can put a significant load on structural elements. Similarly, roof underlayment and insulation can eliminate some roofing materials from consideration. Hot-applied or torch-down roofing is not compatible with rigid foam insulation. Asphalt is most economical. Tile provides a long-lasting roof with little maintenance. Synthetic wood and slate are durable, long-lasting, and appear identical to the natural materials they imitate.
For conventional and steep-slope roofing, shingles and tiles are the best way to go. They have been used for roofing for hundreds of years, and are still a great choice for conventional roof pitches.
Clay tiles and natural slate have a proven track record stretching back centuries, and modern products will last a lifetime if properly applied. Warranties of 75 years are not uncommon. The primary drawback to tiles is their cost and weight.
Real slate is at least double that. Concrete roof tiles are available at prices similar to clay, and can imitate both slate and clay tiles. All three products, clay, concrete, and slate, weigh between to 1, pounds per square feet, so the roof deck and supporting structure must be able to support this additional weight.
Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material in North America. They weigh at least pounds per square feet, on the light end for roofing materials. The main drawback to asphalt shingles is related to the service life. Asphalt roofing shingles are available in grades with an expected life of years depending on the price.
However, durability issues and wear-out or material failures occur earlier than expected in some situations. Metal Roofing The two most common metal roofing materials are painted aluminum and steel. Aluminum has become a top choice because it does not rust, it muffles the sound of rainfall, and can simulate cedar shakes, tiles, and slate.
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