Do you need a new roof or some roofing work done? Are you trying to learn more about your roof’s pitch and how it’ll affect everything?
The pitch plays a big role in ensuring water flows down your roof correctly. However, it also plays a big role in your upcoming roofing project.
So, it makes sense to learn as much as possible about it. Some homeowners even want to try to figure out their roof’s pitch on their own.
Well, the best place to start is with what is and go from there.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in helping homeowners understand everything before, during, and after their roofing project. So, let’s break down what you need to know about roof pitch.
By the end of this article, you'll have the answers to the following questions:
- What is roof pitch?
- How do you figure out roof pitch?
- How does roof pitch affect your roofing project?
What is roof pitch?
Roof pitch is simply the steepness (angle) of your roof. Roof slope is also used, but pitch is the term used by the roofing industry.
A roof’s pitch is measured as a ratio by the number of inches or feet a roof rises vertically for every 12 inches or feet it extends horizontally. For example, a roof that is 6 inches (or feet) up for every 12 inches (feet) out is a 6/12 pitch.
Roof pitches can go anywhere from flat to almost fully vertical. However, it’s also possible for a roof to have multiple pitches.
How do you figure out roof pitch?
There are multiple things you can do to determine a roof’s pitch. However, some ways are much easier than others.
Let’s look at the different ways you can figure out the pitch of a roof.
Using a level and measuring tape on the roof
One of the oldest ways to figure out roof pitch is by using a level and measuring tape to measure the rise over run. Let’s say you’re using a 2-foot level for the example.
On the roof, hold the level horizontally, with one end touching the roof. From the end on the roof, find the 12-inch mark on the 2-foot level.
From the 12-inch mark, use the tape measure to measure the number of inches the level is away from the roof surface. This measurement is called the “rise”, which is the first number of the pitch ratio.
So, if it was 7 inches from the roof surface to the 12-inch mark on the level, the roof has a 7:12 pitch. Unless you feel 100% confident being on a ladder and walking on a roof, I don’t recommend this method to figure out a roof’s pitch.
Measuring the rafters in the attic
If you still want to manually measure the roof pitch without risking your safety, you can do the same thing in the attic. It’s pretty much the same, but instead of using the roof, you’ll use a rafter.
On the underside of the rafter, hold the level horizontally with one end touching the wood. Instead of measuring down, you’ll measure vertically from the 12-inch mark on the level up to the rafter.
This will give you the same rise over run measurements just like if you measured on the roof. However, it comes without the safety risks of being on a roof.
Modern technology and tools
The easiest way to figure out roof pitch is to use modern tools and technology. Most roofing contractors nowadays use a pitch gauge or smartphone apps to figure out a roof’s pitch.
These tools work by laying the gauge or smartphone against the roof. For complex roofs with multiple pitches, estimating tools like EagleView are used to get all the measurements for a specific roof.
There are also “pitch cards” with different roof pitches marked on a translucent card. This works by holding the card up from a distance until it overlays the roof to compare to the card to see which angle matches.
How does roof pitch affect your roofing project?
Now you know what roof pitch is and how to figure it out. However, this information alone doesn’t tell you why it matters when getting a new roof or some other roofing project.
Let’s break down how pitch affects your upcoming roofing project.
A roof’s pitch impacts the total square footage
The square footage of a roof (usually measured in squares) affects all labor and material costs. Well, a roof’s pitch can actually impact the total square footage.
The steeper the pitch is, the more the incline 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.
Roof pitch always impacts cost
The biggest way roof pitch affects a roofing project is how it impacts the cost. The added material costs from increased square footage on a steeper pitch is one thing, but it also affects time and labor.
It takes more time to work on a steep pitch because installers take more safety measures (harnesses and tying off). On top of this, they can’t move around or access the materials on a steep roof as easily as they would on a walkable pitch.
So, the steeper the pitch, the more the time and labor costs increase. This can get very expensive quickly if you have a complex roof with multiple facets at different pitch angles.
Roof pitch can limit your roofing material options
There are plenty of roofing materials to choose from in residential roofing. However, there are situations when a roof’s pitch requires a specific type of material.
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. On the other hand, I also don’t recommend normal architectural asphalt shingles on a pitch that’s too vertical.
On a mansard roof or another roof that’s almost straight up and down, the weight will eventually cause the shingles to slide off. If you have a roof this steep, I recommend luxury asphalt shingles, synthetic shingles, or cedar shake shingles.
What else impacts the price of your new roof?
After reading this article, you learned what every homeowner needs to know about roof pitch. Remember, I don’t recommend getting on a roof to figure it out yourself.
After all, a roofing contractor will consider the roof pitch anytime you need roof work done. But if you really want to know, the safest way is in the attic or one of the modern methods.
And most importantly, your roof’s pitch plays a big role in pricing. However, there’s much more a roofing contractor considers when estimating the price of a new roof.
Knowing all these factors is crucial to understand the “why” behind the price you get from a roofer. That’s why we wrote another article breaking down the 9 cost factors that impact your roof replacement.
Check out 11 Factors That Impact the Cost of Your New Roof to learn the things that directly affect the pricing for a roof project.
