Shed Roof Pitch For Snow

The slope that works best seems to be 5 12.

Shed roof pitch for snow.

The gable style pitched roof is not only one of the most common styles of shed roof but it is also one of the easiest to build. So in general the shallower pitch can be more dangerous with bigger slides. Constructing a new shed roof at the desired pitch is as easy as knowing how to use a speed square. They also plan to use the snow as an insulation blanket and design a cold roof system to stop ice dam concerns at the eave.

A medium pitched roof is one that has a pitch of between 3 12 and 7 12. Therefore if your roof rises 4 inches over the course of 12 inches of horizontal run then your roof pitch is 4 12. Designers there want the architectural freedom to have access around the building. Steeper roof pitches are better at shedding rain and snow and are used more frequently in wetter colder areas.

Personally unless you live in an area of extreme snow load i would recommend you incorporate a shed roof pitch of between 4 12 and 6 12 for optimum results. Slopes greater than 6 12 will tend to shed snow regardless of the texture of the material on them so roof slopes should be configured to avoid shedding anywhere people might be walking or exiting. The flip side to this is that it also becomes more expensive to build both in materials and logistical difficulty. Snow tends to accumulate more on roofs with pitches of 14 degrees or less 3 12 or less because it cannot easily slide off.

This is based on how much rain and snow you are likely to get in an average year. This range makes up the bulk of new roofs being built on homes and outbuildings in the u s. You can safely measure the roof pitch from inside your attic with a level that is either 18 or 24 inches a tape measure and a pencil. The first thing you need to do is determine the correct pitch for your area.

Remember that pitch is calculated as the height or rise of a roof pitch over 12 inches of horizontal run. Begin by measuring 12 inches on your level and marking it with a pencil. 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. If you live in an area with a lot of annual snowfall consider creating a also remember that metal roofs tend to shed snow more easily than shingled roofs.

As stated in the video speed squares have useful markings on them from 0 to 12. Once in the attic hold your level against the bottom of a roof rafter ensuring that all bubbles are resting in the center. This allows the snow to stay on while venting the roof system. The higher the roof pitch the more often the snow slides off.