There are ways to calculate your roof pitch. If you’re considering a new roof or have plans to build a home, you’ll need to know the pitch of your roof. When you understand how moisture, snow and any miscellaneous debris comes off a roof, you’ll be better able to decide what type of shingles and roofing materials you’ll need. Calculating roof pitch and knowing your roof’s pitch and the slope is critically important to the entire process. A roof pitch is a measuring system that’s used to figure the steepness of the roof of a residence or commercial building. It tells you how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches in depth.
How To Calculate Roof Pitch?
There are different ways to calculate roof pitch. Here are some of them.
Calculate Roof Pitch In Degrees
- Measure the run of your roof (run = the distance from the outside of the wall’s top plate to a point directly below the center of the ridge)
- Figure the rise – take a measurement from the midpoint of the roof to the ridge of the roof (the highest vertical point)
- Divide the rise by the run
- Multiply the result by 180/n and your calculation should equal the roof pitch
Calculate Roof Pitch As A Ratio
The more common way to measure roof pitch is to show it as a ratio of X:12. You measure the number of inches that a roof rises vertically for every 12 inches, that it stretches out or extends horizontally.
- You want to first place one end of a level against the roof deck (flat portion of a roof). Next, measure to find and mark the 12 inches along the level. This is the run.
- Rest a tape measure (vertically) against the run line. Then measure the distance between the top of the level at the mark and the roof deck. This is the rise.
- This should give you an X:12 ratio based on your rise: run figures.
Roof Pitch Calculator
Simple alternatives to various figuring and writing of ratios, angles and other information, include online calculators and different phone applications that are available for determining roof pitch.
In order to use these different calculators, you’ll need the same rise and run measurements. Some calculators are more instant than others. You can find your roof pitch simply by taking a photo. There are other roof pitch apps that are available for both iPhones and Android phones.
When you want to determine the pitch of your roof, a roof pitch calculator is a convenient online tool where you can assess your roof’s pitch quickly. Once you determine roof pitch angles, you can punch your figures into the calculator rather than doing them manually.
There are some issues with calculators, as the ones that are based on a photograph of your roof area can miscalculate the measurements if the camera angle or overall lighting is not perfect. Also, less proven calculators can require many figures ahead of time. You might as well figure the roof pitch on your own.
Though apps and calculating tools continue to get better as time goes on, they are an excellent alternative for a homeowner who’s trying to gain access to their roof. Any roofing companies in Delaware should be able to give you a better idea of the calculators available to you and they may assist you in figuring out your roof pitch with some help.
What Is A Standard Roof Pitch?
The standard pitch for a residential roof is between 4:12 and 9:12 for most homes. Roofs that go beyond a pitch of 9:12 are steep slope roofs.
At the lower end, you have a 4:12 to 6:12 range. These roofs are fairly easy to both walk and work on, but having safety equipment and taking precautions are important when working on any roof.
A standard roof pitch for a commercial building (low-slope roof) will have a pitch between 2/12 and 4/12. Commercial building roofs generally have a lower slope than roofs of houses.
A roof pitch that is under 2/12 is considered to be a flat roof. Actually, a flat roof does have some pitch or slope so the roof system has the capability of dealing with drainage. A minimum slope should be at least 1/4″ per foot.
Why Is Calculating Roof Pitch Important?
Calculating roof pitch is important because if you’re contemplating a room addition or putting in skylights or cutting new rake boards (rake boards give a roof and the eaves a finished look), you need to know the pitch of the roof. It’s also important to the roof’s durability over time and how water and debris are eliminated from a roof.
The pitch of a roof also affects the costs of installing or replacing a roof. A steeper roof is going to cost more to install, so you want to keep that in mind when you’re calculating the right pitch for your project. When you think of a low-slope roof, it might cost more to install than a flat roof. A steep-slope roof can cost considerably more to install.
With other home projects that involve dealing with a roof, you need to know your roof’s pitch just to figure out the materials and tools you’ll need to do the job, plus a contractor has to consider the walkability in connection with the materials to use. Whether you’re replacing your roof or installing a completely new roofing system with windows, you’ll need to know the pitch of your roof.
Maybe you understand roof pitch and how to calculate it; however, if you don’t have the tools or wherewithal to make the calculations, it’s best to seek professional help. When you change your roof or are building a new home, roof pitch is a critical factor. RGB Construction will be happy to help you with that calculation. We’re a veteran-owned and operated construction business and commit themselves to workmanship but, most of all, we have integrity. All RGB technicians have the knowledge, expertise and skills to complete the job. Call us at 856-264-9093.
