Roof pitch is the measurement describing your roof’s angle and steepness. It is essential to determine your roof’s suitability for specific weather conditions. You are selecting the right roofing shingles or materials, gutters, and other roofing systems. So, how is the roof pitch critical, and what are the key things you must know about it?

At Big Bear Roofing, we are your trusted roofing experts in North & South Carolina. We are a GAF-certified contractor and provide end-to-end services throughout the region, including roof installation, replacement, repair, maintenance, and inspection. Find out why this parameter’s roof pitch and other critical aspects are essential.

Importance of Roof Pitch

Consider the following scenario. Imagine all other factors, such as climate, ventilation, and shingles being the same; which roof will last longer – the one with a steep pitch or the one with a slight angle? This question can be answered better when considering a steep hillside versus a low-slope hillside. A more vertical hillside erodes faster than a low slope, and generally, ro on a high-pitch roof tends to wear out more quickly.

High pitch is still an essential factor from another perspective. For example, a steep roof is less likely to allow leaves and debris to collect. This prevents the build-up of moisture against the shingles, thus preventing the growth of algae and moss. On the other hand, the same roof in an unshaded area is likely to take the full impact of sunlight, which can cause faster deterioration.

Impact of Roof Pitch

Roof pitch has an impact on many different factors. These factors determine the ideal roofing material and designs for your roof:

i. Roof Efficiency

A steeper roof means it is easier to shed snow and rain, and they require lesser maintenance, as most debris gets pushed down the edge. If you have such a roof, we recommend having adequately sized gutters to prevent overflow, and solid gutter covers can work better compared to filter-type systems.

ii. Roofing Materials

All types of roofs are pitched. Even commercial flat roofs have a minimal pitch to ensure adequate drainage. It affects your choice of material. Residential roofing materials, including slate and asphalt shingles, commonly depend on gravity to prevent water from intruding through the overlaps. These materials work more efficiently and better with steeper roofs.

iii. Cost

Since steep roofs have larger roof areas for the same floor size, they will need more roofing materials to build. So, when you choose a roof with a higher pitch, the project will cost more than installing a gently sloped roof.

Things to Know about Roof Pitch

There are many things you should know about roof pitch. This includes:

Roof Pitch and Roof Slope are Not the Same Things

Roof slope and roof pitch are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Pitch makes use of measurements based on the entire roof span. It is calculated as the ratio between the roof’s rise and its span. Span refers to the distance between the top plate of one wall and the opposite wall. It can also refer to the distance between one side of your home and the other.

On the other hand, slope refers to the ratio between the roof’s rise and the roof’s run, and run refers to the distance between the edge and center of the roof.

Minimum Roof Pitch Required for Areas with High Snowfall

Areas with high annual snowfall have building codes with minimal roof pitch details. Homes and commercial buildings are typically built with steep roof pitches to prevent snow, ice, and sleet from building up. A flat roof will have snow and ice continuing to build up. When there is excess build-up, it can cause permanent damage to the structure. In some cases, the roof can collapse.

We will check your local building codes and regulations when replacing your roof. Besides the minimum roof pitch, we will also consider the weather conditions you experience all year round. Even when certain, sharp roof pitch angles may sometimes cause snow and ice build-up by creating a sheltered space, the tips should not cause any issues if the pitch is according to the local building codes.

Low Pitch Roofs are Simpler & Safer to Install and Maintain

Low-pitch roofs are more accessible and safer to work on, making them increasingly popular. A high-pitch roof requires roofers to walk carefully, crawl, or balance themselves on the top, and they will have to use harnesses for optimal safety. All this makes it more challenging to work on a top with a steep pitch. On the other hand, a roof with a low angle, say 3/12 pitch, will allow roofers to walk comfortably without any worries.

Roofing Materials for Different Roof Pitches

Most roof pitches can work with any roofing material. Still, there are situations where you will need certain types of materials for a specific rise. A few examples of such conditions include:

  • A low slope or flat area on the roof may not be steep enough for the manufacturer’s requirements or the local codes. A low-slope or flat roof has two ideal material options – a metal or membrane roof system.
  • Mansard roofs have a very high pitch. It is recommended not to install asphalt shingles on these roofs. Asphalt shingles are heavy and will start sliding off. While these roofs are not as standard, we suggest cedar shake shingles and synthetic shingles for them.

At Big Bear Roofing, our experienced roofers can quickly inspect and solve roof repair, installation, and replacement challenges. We are a BBB Accredited and certified roofing contractor in the region and stand out for our artistry, roofing job safety, and customer satisfaction. A lifetime warranty backs all our projects. Whether you need roof repair, replacement, installation, or maintenance service, feel free to call us at 843.819.7650 or write to us from our Contact Page.

— Big Bear Roofing