Is My Roof Steep

A steep roof pitch can add to the cost of installation as it will be more time consuming to work on a steeper pitch.

Is my roof steep.

A pitch over 9 12 is considered a steep slope roof between 2 12 and 4 12 is considered a low slope roof and less than 2 12 is considered a flat roof. See the image below for more explanation on rise run and pitch. 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. A complex roof architecture is more time consuming to complete than a simple flat roof due to angles and fitting.

Most roof s have a pitch in the 4 12 to 9 12 range. The slope of the roof is known at the pitch. Roof pitch affects the actual area of the roof. A 12 in 12 pitch is a steep 45 degree angle roof.

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. The tools required will be a contractor s level at least 24 inches long and a tape measure. In my case the roof s pitch was so extreme no local roofers wanted to mess with it.

A roof with x rise 12 run slope means that for every 12 inches horizontally run it rises x inches. Roof pitch is a determining factor for cost of the roof as well as the roof area and the type of materials used. 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. Depending whether the roof area is measured horizontally.

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. Depending on the pitch additional equipment may also be necessary. Thus a moderate 6 in 12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches it runs. The table below shows common roof pitches and the equivalent grade degrees and radians for each.