Is My Roof Steep

The slope of the roof is known at the pitch.

Is my roof steep.

Roof pitch is a determining factor for cost of the roof as well as the roof area and the type of materials used. The slope of a roof often referred to as the pitch is determined by rise over run the roof s vertical rise in inches for every twelve inches of horizontal length the run. At that point measure down from the exposed butt end back to the roof surface. Depending whether the roof area is measured horizontally.

Thus a moderate 6 in 12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches it runs. A 12 in 12 pitch is a steep 45 degree angle roof. Most roof s have a pitch in the 4 12 to 9 12 range. A steep roof pitch can add to the cost of installation as it will be more time consuming to work on a steeper pitch.

See the image below for more explanation on rise run and pitch. The possibility of slipping and falling makes working on any roof dangerous but it s especially so if the roof rises more than 4 feet for every 12 feet of horizontal span. It affects walkability as well as drainage and roofs in areas of high rain or snowfall tend to have steeper pitches. A complex roof architecture is more time consuming to complete than a simple flat roof due to angles and fitting.

Depending on the pitch additional equipment may also be necessary. The tools required will be a contractor s level at least 24 inches long and a tape measure. The slope or pitch of the roof is determined by the vertical rise in inches for every horizontal twelve inch 12 length called the run. So a roof with four inches of rise every 12 inches horizontally run would have a slope of 4 12 sometimes displayed as 4 12.

Roof pitch affects the actual area of the roof. The table below shows common roof pitches and the equivalent grade degrees and radians for each. A roof with x rise 12 run slope means that for every 12 inches horizontally run it rises x inches. Place the butt end of the level against the edge of the roof and extend it into the air balancing it until it becomes level.