Published on November 21, 2016
Roof pitch, otherwise known as the “steepness” or “slope” of the roof varies from house to house. There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when it comes to determining what the pitch is for your roof. These include the geographic location, aesthetics, and cost, but generally, the steeper your roof is, the more it will cost to build and maintain. The easiest way to determine the pitch is by using a special tool called a pitch finder, which is placed on either the top of the roof, on a gable end soffit, or in the attic under a rafter.
This will help determine what the pitch is.
Another way to find the pitch is to use a level and framing square from the top of the roof. Place the framing square on the uphill side of the roof with the level and tongue facing upwards. Then, put the carpenter’s level in the plumb position against the roof and the tongue of the square. Be sure to have the level tight against the roof’s surface and the body of the square tight to the roof, then move the square and level around until the level reads plumb. Then, mark the area with a pencil where the framing square heel meets the level and measure the distance. Take that number and divide it by two, then you have the pitch.
Low pitched roofs:
This is when the pitch is below 3 ½ inches. These roofs are generally easier to work on but usually require special roofing materials.
Medium pitched roofs:
Most American homes have medium pitched roofs and are generally 3 ½ to 7 ½ inches. For someone looking to build a garage, shed, or other outside building like this, a roof pitch of 4-6 inches is usually preferable. They’re safe to walk on at this pitch and don’t require any special roofing equipment or materials.
Steep pitched roofs:
These roofs are anything more than 7 ½ inches and will require special equipment to keep the roofer safe and the materials from sliding off.
If you know the pitch of your roof, it will be very helpful when you’re looking to add skylights, cutting new rake boards, or when you’re looking to put an addition onto your home. Remember that it is extremely important to take safety precautions when walking on your roof. Make sure that someone knows that you are up there and never go on the roof if it is incredibly windy or wet.