Is it time for a roof replacement? Are you wondering if your roof’s pitch plays a role in the pricing?
There are a lot of things that impact a roof replacement’s cost. This includes everything from the roofer you hire to the material you choose to your specific roof and much more.
Your roof’s pitch is no different. In fact, it actually plays a huge role in pricing.
However, the way pitch affects the cost of a new roof isn’t so simple.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand everything that goes into the cost of their new roof. That’s why I want to break down how roof pitch affects the cost of your roof replacement.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn the following:
Roof pitch (also called roof slope) is the steepness (angle) of your roof in ratio form. A roof’s pitch is calculated by the number of inches or feet it rises vertically for every 12 inches or feet it extends horizontally.
For example, a roof with 4 inches of rise (upwards) for every 12 inches of run (outwards) is a 4/12 pitch. Using the inverse tangent calculation, this comes out to a roof slope of 18.43°.
Just know complex roofs could have multiple pitches, whether from a low slope area or different roof facets with more/less steepness. However, you’ll learn more about this after getting an inspection from a roofing contractor.
Roof pitch always impacts the cost of a roof replacement. In fact, most roofers have pricing multipliers based on the steepness.
However, a few things about a roof’s pitch specifically impact the final cost of your roof replacement.
The square footage of a roof (usually measured in squares) affects all labor and material costs. However, most homeowners don’t know that a roof’s pitch can actually increase the total square footage.
A steeper pitch creates more incline, which increases the total roof surface area. So, a roof with a steep pitch will have significantly more square footage than a flat or low-slope roof.
Even if two homes have the same square footage, the one with a steeper roof will have a larger roof surface area.
The added material costs from increased square footage on a steeper pitch are one thing, but they also affect time and labor. Working on a steep pitch takes longer because installers take safety measures (harnesses and tying off) that slow them down.
They also can’t move around or access the materials on a steep roof as easily as a walkable pitch. Well, the longer it takes to replace the roof, the more it adds to the price.
So, labor costs can greatly increase based on a roof’s pitch. Unfortunately, this can get expensive quickly if you have a complex roof with multiple facets at different angles.
The roofing material you choose impacts every part of your roof replacement, especially pricing. However, a roof’s pitch can require a specific material that can increase costs.
If your roof has a 2:12 pitch or lower, it’s considered low slope. Per the shingle manufacturers and/or codes, this is not steep enough to install shingles on.
Instead, you need to choose a membrane or metal roof system for a low-slope roof or facet. This can make an area go from $4.00 to $6.00 per square foot for asphalt shingles to $12.00 to $16.00 for a membrane of metal (not exact pricing).
On the other hand, a pitch that’s too vertical can lead to sliding shingles because of their weight. So, luxury asphalt shingles, synthetic shingles, or cedar shake shingles are recommended for very steep roofs.
After reading this article, you know how the pitch of your roof affects the cost of your roof replacement. Every roof and roofing company is different, so there’s no set pricing when it comes to pitch.
However, it’s always a factor when determining the cost of your roof replacement. That said, it’s just one thing that a roofer accounts for when creating an estimate.
Your roof will be a very large investment, so it’s crucial to understand why it costs what it costs. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down all the things that determine the price of a roof replacement.
Check out 11 Factors That Impact the Cost of Your New Roof to learn the things that play a role is estimating a roof replacement.