Your Roof's Pitch Why It Matters

If you're thinking about replacing your roofing system, you've got to know about one important factor to consider: your roof's pitch.

Your roof's pitch determines more than just how your roof will look from afar or up close. It also determines the kind of roofing material you can install and the kind of additions that you can place on your roof, such as skylights. Learn more in today's post by Colorado Roof Toppers.

Calculating Your Roof's Pitch

Your roof's pitch is determined by measuring its rise and run height that it rises vertically for every foot that it runs horizontally. A 6:12 pitch, for example, means that a roof rises 6 inches for every foot that it runs, and a 12:12 pitch means a roof rises 12 inches per foot that it runs.

You can measure your roof pitch from your attic. Use a level and measure 12 inches from the foot of one of your home's rafters. Make sure it is horizontally level. Next, use a measuring tape to measure the distance between the 12-inch mark and the underside of the same rafter. The resulting measurement is the number of inches your roof rises every 12 inches that it runs horizontally.

Pitch and Roofing Materials

As mentioned, your roofing contractor's choice of materials will depend greatly on your roof's pitch. Here's a quick guide to pitches and roofing materials.

Low-pitch roofs (1:12-3:12)

Flat roofs tend to shed water slowly compared to other types of roofs, and are not the best for composition shingles and tiles. These are best suited for modified bitumen and more modern single-ply roofing systems.

Sloped roofs (4:12 to 8:12)

These roofs drain water faster than flat roofs. These slopes require double underlayment and are usually best suited for composition shingles and roof tiles.

Steep-sloped roofs (9:12 and up)

Steep-sloped roofs look good from afar and boast of the fastest draining capabilities among other types of roofing. Heavy roofing materials such as stone, however, cannot be used on such slopes as they might become loose and fall. Light roofing materials are perfect for these slopes.

If you're in need of a residential roof replacement, look no further than Colorado Roof Toppers. Give us a call at (303) 622-0305 or fill out our online form for a free, no-obligation quote. We are an experienced roofing contractor satisfying the needs of homeowners in Fort Collins, CO, and nearby areas.

by Denise Bart April 15, 2019
Roofing