Minimum Roof Pitch For Snowy Climates

The minimum roof pitch for shedding snow is around 30 or a 6 12 or 7 12 slope although this is not a definite as the material of your roof the direction of the snow and wind are some factors that can affect whether or not snow will slide as roofs of as little as 10 have been reported to shed snow.

Minimum roof pitch for snowy climates.

The purpose of pitching a roof is to enable water and snow to run off so the greater the amount of rain and or snow an area receives the greater the amount of pitch needed for the roof. Metal roofing systems have a good track record of performance in harsh winter environments as long as they are properly designed. The minimum roof pitch is also subject to the standards set forth by the various building codes used in the respective regions. The safest way to determine the pitch of an existing roof is to measure from inside your attic using a level tape measure and pencil.

Last month we addressed applying and maintaining membrane roofing through the seasons. Minimum pitch metal roof snow metal roofing system when properly designed and installed is famous for its strong performance against harsh climate environments. If you are building a new roof however consider the climate to determine the correct pitch and proper materials. They provide excellent weather resistance great value and now more than ever a tremendous range of beautiful designs and color blends.

The chief reason for having a roof pitch is to redirect water and snow away from the roof and avoid any percolation that might result from stagnation of water on the roof. If these issues are addressed during the design stage and the roofing contractor does his job these systems will almost always perform as intended. There are several other factors that add up to this quality certainly such as proper slope snow loading requirements or the snow guard usage. Asphalt shingles continue to be the most widely installed roof covering option in north america.

The short simple answer is 2 12 has traditionally been considered the absolute minimum acceptable roof slope suitable for asphalt shingles. The key factors are usually snow loading requirements adequate slope and the use of snow guards when needed. Importance of a roof pitch. This will extend the life of your roof.

If water does not properly run off of a roof it will begin to seep in causing rot interior damage and possibly dangerous black mold. Metal roof design for cold climates.