Normal Roof Pitch

The picture below shows the pitch of a 7 12 roof slope meaning that for 12 of horizontal measurement roof run the vertical measurement roof rise is 7.

Normal roof pitch.

Clay or cement tiles can be used on a wide range of roof pitches. Roof pitch varies depending on culture climate style and available materials. With insufficient pitch a roof can leak rain and with a pitch too great its stones will fall loose. Thatch is one of the oldest roofing materials and needs a steep pitch to drain properly some types of stone roofs have a very restrictive roof pitch.

Pitches of less than 2 12 are considered flat roofs even though they may be very slightly angled. Most roofs in america follow these dimensions where pitch range is kept between 3 to 7 1 2. If a roof increases in height by four inches for every foot of horizontal run it is considered to have a 4 in 12 pitch or just a 4 pitch talk in terms of pitches and you will always be understood in the roofing universe. Display of roof pitches 1 12 through 18 12.

So the pitch of a roof is determined by how many inches the slope rises for every 12 inches it runs horizontally. However you can only use this pitch with built up roofing or specialized synthetic roofing. The pitch of the roof is determined by the vertical rise in inches for every horizontal twelve inch length. A flat roof would have a 2 12 pitch while the average roof pitch would be between 4 12 and 9 12.

For pitches of 2 5 12 up to 4 12 the roof requires double underlayment. Pitches lower than 4 12 have a slight angle and they are defined as low slope roofs. 4 12 to 20 12 pitches. Any pitch higher than 9 12 is considered a steep pitch.

In the usa the range of standard pitches is anywhere between 4 12 and 9 12. If you want to build a shed garage or other similar type of building then 4 to 6 is a preferable pitch type. Pitches above 9 12 are very highly angled and are designated steep slope roofs. This measurement is best done on a bare roof because curled up roofing shingles will impair your measurement.

The most commonly used roof pitches fall in a range between 4 12 and 9 12. In the uk the typical house has a pitch between 40 50 although 45 should be avoided. Pitch is a measure of the steepness of a roof.