Do Roof Pitch Styles Affect Material Options or Installation?
Your roof selection is an important process. For many homeowners it starts by looking at materials or color, but the final selection also depends on your home's roof pitch style.
What is Pitch?
Pitch is the term used in the roofing industry to describe the angle or slope of your roof. Roof pitch is comprised of two numbers in the form of a ratio. The numerator refers to the height of the roof and the denominator refers to the length measurement. A 5/12 means that for every 12 horizontal feet of change, the roof rises 5 feet vertically.
Why Roof Pitch is Important
The roof pitch is important for two reasons. One, in order to estimate correctly for the amount of material needed for the job, you must have an accurate measurement of the pitch. Two, not all materials are suited for every roof. By knowing the pitch, you'll have a better understanding of the roofing materials that will work best on your home.
Roof Pitch Styles
Low Pitch roofs are the safest to walk on but more prone to leaks. Medium Pitch is where most home roofing systems lie, giving you ample choices in materials. High Pitch roofs are the most expensive to install but give dramatic architectural elements. Most homes range from 4/12 to 8/12 pitch.
Other Considerations
Your final selection will also determine which warranties are in place and how long your roofing materials will last. Be sure to ask about both material and workmanship warranties. Also investigate fire ratings for the different types of roof pitch styles, especially if you are in an at-risk area.