Do Roof Pitch Styles Affect Material Options or Installation?

Upgrading your roof isn’t something you do every day. Depending on the roof materials you select, you might only invest in a new roof once in a lifetime.

That makes your roof selection an important process.

For many homeowners, the process starts by looking at materials or color. And while both of those are important to create curb appeal, the final selection also depends on your home’s style.

You have many choices when it comes to roofing material selection: asphalt, composite, wood shake, rubber, tile, metal, and more. But it’s more than an economic or color decision; it also depends on roof pitch styles or the slope of the roof of your home.

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. You’ll see it expressed either with a slash – 5/12 or 8/12 – or with a colon – 5:12 or 8:12. Either way, the numerator and denominator work together to tell you the pitch of the roof.

The numerator refers to the height of the roof.

The denominator refers to the length measurement of the roof.

To keep everything relatable, the industry will always rank with a denominator of 12. Therefore a roof pitch will always be referred to as how much rise there is in the roof over a 12 unit horizontal distance.

For the roof pitch styles from above, for example, the 5/12 means that for every 12 horizontal feet of change, the roof rises 5 feet vertically. For the 8/12, it moves 8 feet in vertical rise for every 12 feet of horizontal space.

With most homes, roof pitch styles range from 4/12 to 8/12, with the lower being a moderate rise and 8/12 being a fairly steep ratio. But roof pitch can have a lot more variation.

A 1/2/12 roof would be almost flat. You might find a low pitched roof on a modern home where the slope is barely there; just enough to allow water to flow. A 12/12 roof would slope at a 45-degree angle. Old Victorian homes often have sharply angled roofs with a steep pitch and, in some cases, they can even move beyond the 12/12 ratio.

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 of the roof.

Two, not all materials are suited for the roof. By knowing the pitch, you’ll have a better understanding of the roofing materials that will work best on your home over time.

When a roof is perfectly flat, the calculation for materials is simple: width times length.

As a roof rises, the different pitches require more material to compensate for the slope. The industry has tables for slope factor based on the angles of your home to help determine the extra materials needed. In our examples above, a 5/12 pitch would have a slope factor of 1.085. Use this to multiply with your answer from width times length and you’ll have an accurate measurement of how much material you’ll need.

Roof shapes have evolved over time. Head back hundreds or even thousands of years and you’ll find roofs were made from very simple materials. Straw, mud, grass, wood – only gradually did they start learning the benefits of using different materials and to gently slope the roof for protection.

Flat roofs make sense on some structures. But if you make it perfectly flat, water has nowhere to go. Even a gentle slope is needed for proper drainage. Angles help control the elements and give a building style. But no matter how much you like a particular material, some homes simply aren’t meant for some types of roofs.

Roof Pitch Styles

Low Pitch – these are the safest roofs. They are easy to walk around on and easy to perform maintenance. But they are also more prone to leaks and require more frequent inspections. That’s why you won’t find a lot of low pitched roofs where weather is extreme – both water and snow buildup can be detrimental and put a building at risk. Low pitch is usually the design of choice on modern, sleek, contemporary homes.

Flat roofs cannot be covered with traditional materials such as shakes or asphalt shingles since there isn’t enough pitch to combat damage from wind. Flat roofs are limited to more commercial-grade roofing applications, such as tar and gravel, rubber, or roll roofing.

Medium Pitch – this is where most home roofing systems lie. A medium-pitch gives you ample choices in materials while providing enough slope to keep rain and snow from accumulating on the roof. While it still needs periodic inspections, this is where most roofing choices exist.

If you prefer clay or cement tiles, they can be installed on roof pitches from 2.5/12 up to 20/12. However, for flatter roofs 2.5/12 to 4/12, it is recommended that they are installed with an underlayment to handle the extra weight.

A vast amount of the choices fall into the 4/12 to 20/12 range. This is where asphalt or composite shingles are, which are the most popular types of roofing options on the market today.

If you like the look of wood or slate shingles, they need a more gentle sloping roof, with roof pitches in the 5/12 to 12/12 angles working best.

High Pitch – these are the most expensive roofs to install, but also give dramatic architectural elements. A contractor cannot work on a high pitch slope without safety gear, so more cost will go into it for both repairs and renovation.

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 as the two are often separate.

If green building is important, roof pitch can impact your final selection. Consider both the shingle material and any underlayment necessary to complete the job.

Also investigate fire ratings for the different types of roof pitch styles, especially if you are in an at-risk area.

So what type of house do you currently own? What type of roofing are you interested in? Knowing the roof pitch plays an important part in the selection process; what questions can we answer to help you make your final selection?

How to Maintain Your Roof to Prolong Its Lifespan

Roof maintenance

Your roof is imperative to protecting your home and ensuring you and your family are safeguarded from the elements. The popular saying of “having a roof over your head” is quite literal, and any person with a roof in poor condition can tell you the importance of a quality roof.

In order to keep your roof stronger longer, there are multiple means of roof maintenance that can prolong its longevity. While no roof lasts forever, you most likely don’t want to replace it any more often than you have to.

To keep your roof pristine, you only need to follow these simple steps:

REMOVE DEBRIS

On a nice day when your roof is dry, you should remove any loose debris that has amassed during the winter or windy seasons. Debris can include branches, leaves, and basically anything else that might have blown up there at some point. It’s a good idea to request the help of a friend, neighbor, family member, or roofing company during this process. Many emergency room visits have begun with a DIY roof inspection.

PERSONAL INSPECTION

It’s never a bad idea to have a professional inspector come and evaluate the condition of your roof, but you can do a basic check yourself. In a typical setting, your roof should be inspected at least once or twice a year by professionals, but that can vary depending on outside factors. Issues such as a leaky roof can often be attributed to a tear or shift in your roofing material or a gap in the base layer, so give your roof a thorough look over (from the ground, of course!). Check for missing or broken tiles, curling or peeling tiles or materials, general cracks or divots, worn spots, and moss and mold on the exterior of your roof. You should also check the inside of the roof in your attic to ensure nothing has already made its way into your home.

MOSS REMOVAL

If you see some moss or mold on your shingles, then you’ll need to get it removed. There are sprays available that will help remove the moss and mold as you gently brush it away. Using a powerwasher or scrubbing too hard can actually damage your roof by removing the granules that protect the shingles. Many professional roofing companies will provide a roof cleaning service and will remove any moss or mold expertly.

There are many other methods of roof maintenance that will extend the life of your roof, but the best way is to contact your local roofing company. They’ll properly inspect, maintain, and repair (if needed) your roof to ensure your home and family remain protected.

If you’re interested in learning more about roof maintenance or roof replacement in Portland, contact Powell Roofing today.

3 Things a Homeowner Should Know About Roof Cleaning

Beyond repairing a leaky roof, installing new roofing shingles, or performing other common home roofing tasks, you might have to clean your roof as well.

Roof cleaning is possibly one of the most important aspects of roof maintenance that homeowners will have to deal with. A clean roof is a healthy roof, and when there is debris and other junk on your roof, it can cause severe decay and structural damage. Cleaning your roof can help protect it from damage and enhance its longevity, but there are few things you should know.

ALGAE AND MOSS AREN’T “QUAINT”

Even though those old cobblestone homes have moss and algae on their roofs that seem to add to the whole forest vibe, your home isn’t one of them. Not only will moss and algae significantly detract from the aesthetic quality of your home, but they will also do tremendous damage. Typically, your roof makes up about 40% of the visual exterior of your home, making it an important element of your home’s appearance. Algae and moss are eye-sores that break down your shingles and, if you don’t do anything, will eventually destroy your shingles altogether. Not only will you have to replace your shingles, but your home’s energy-efficiency will be drastically reduced as well.

JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN, DOESN’T MEAN YOU SHOULD

Most homeowners look for ways to do maintenance and repairs themselves to save money, but some things are better left to the professionals. Nothing is stopping you from going up to your roof and attempting to clean it yourself, but you could end up doing more harm than good. Using the wrong chemicals and tools could cause irreversible damage to your roof, and one wrong step could cause irreversible damage to your body. Let the experts come and take care of your roof so that you get a professional cleaning job without having to risk a trip to the emergency room.

IT’S A SERVICE WORTH THE PRICE

You may think that roof cleaning is just a made up service that contractors use to get more money out of you, but you’re far from the truth. Not only is cleaning your roof a key element of proper maintenance, but most contractors are extremely affordable and will give you more than fair pricing.

Even if you don’t see anything on your roof, you could still be overdue for a roof cleaning. Contact your local professionals and prolong the lifespan of your roof and your home.

Need your roof cleaned by industry professionals? Give us a call today.