Ideal Roof Slope For Snow

For example a shingle roof in a snowy region could be 2 12 but it is better to have a steeper pitch such as 12 12 or even steeper to shed the snow.

Ideal roof slope for snow.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having a steep pitch versus a shallow or low pitch the most obvious of which is the roof s ability to shed or withstand heavy snow rain or wind. A roof slope of 7 12 is also good and can provide the additional benefit of helping minimize the effects of wind driven rain. On roof slopes between 4 12 and 6 12 rough textured roofing materials work best. Visit the shed roofing page.

For lots more information on which roof finish to use for which slope and indicative costs. The way pitch also known as roof slope is measured is rise over run. When it comes to residential construction your roof is a visible part of the structure. Steeper slopes are ideal for areas that have higher snow loads and will also prevent the possibility of ponding water on the roof.

The general temperature will determine the exact roof pitch with a lower pitch being best for temperate zones and steeper for areas that experience snowfall. They hold the snow in place and keep it from accumulating and then sliding off in large slabs that can be dangerous. People have been killed by snow avalanches sliding off roofs during big snow winters. Basically the steeper the pitch the better it can shed snow and rain.

According to the conventional rule of thumb this would require roof glazing to be about 60 degrees off the horizon 40 20 60. A ratio is the most common way of expressing roof pitch or roof slope but degrees are also possible. Asphalt is the most versatile and works well in any roof pitch climate. Roof pitch is the measurement of roof steepness.

The graphic below helps flesh this out. Roof slopes between 4 12 and 6 12 are best for minimizing the wind uplift effects in high wind zones. Felt shingle systems can achieve lower slopes down to about 20 degrees. For slopes below 20 degrees systems such as epdm fibreglass metal roofing can be used.

If you sketch that out on paper you ll see that a roof angle of 60 degrees requires a very tall north wall or an altered plan for the greenhouse. So if your roof rises 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal length then the pitch of your roof is expressed as 4 12.