There appears to be a limitless number of roofing materials available on the market when selecting roofing materials. According to union roofers, these materials include asphalt and composite materials as well as metal and wood shaking. Rubber roofing and MSR rolled roofing are other options.
It’s tempting to think that the decision is solely aesthetic or economic: that you choose a roofing material based on your personal preference or your financial ability to pay for it.
That is just partially accurate
Other considerations influence the roofing materials that can be used. One dependable component is the roof pitch, commonly known as the roof slope. Roof pitch can completely alter the course of a discussion. You may be determined on installing traditional composite shingles on your roof. However, if the roof pitch is less than a particular ratio, you may be required to use a different style of roofing, such as rolled or standing seam metal roofing.
What Is the Pitch of a Roof?
Roof pitch designations are made up of two numbers that represent a ratio of one number to another. The ratio can be represented by separating the integers by a division slash, such as 2/12 or 7/12, respectively. Alternatively, a colon can be used to replace the slash, as in 2:12 or 7:12. In either case, the notation denotes a ratio between two measures of the roof—a numerator and a denominator—that is expressed as a fraction.
The numerator refers to the measurement of the roof’s vertical height
In this case, the denominator (or second number) refers to the horizontal (length) measurement of the roofing structure. To make things a little easier, the denominator for roofing reasons is always 12. Even though fundamental mathematics teaches us that the number 12/12 may be reduced to 1, this is not the case when it comes to roof pitches. The denominator continues to be 12.
A 2:4 pitch, for example, is a roof with a vertical measurement of two feet anywhere along its slope and a horizontal measurement of four feet has a pitch of two feet. To make the second value appropriate for roofing reasons, you would multiply it by three. In addition, the first number must be multiplied by three. As a result, the roof pitch is 6:12.
How to Determine the Roof’s Pitch
To calculate the pitch of your roof, place a level on the roof with one end resting on the roof. Hold one end and lift it in a direction that corresponds to its slope, so that it rests on the roof at a higher place than the end you’re now holding. Increase or decrease the level until you obtain a level reading. Measure out one foot from the end of the hose that is in contact with the roof, Measure from the one-foot point to the ceiling. You have a 4/12 pitch if the pitch is four inches; otherwise, you have a 4/12 pitch.
Using a Ratio, how do you calculate roof pitch?
When it comes to Union Roofing, the pitch is nothing more than a ratio that specifies how much elevation there is in the roof when measured over a 12-unit vertical distance.
As an illustration, the ratio of 5:12 or 5/12
When you observe the 5:12 ratio, it signifies that for every 12 horizontal feet that the roof varies in height, the roof changes in vertical height by 5 feet.
For instance, the 8:12 or 8/12 ratio
When you observe a roof with an 8:12 ratio, it signifies that for every 12 horizontal feet of roof height change, the roof changes by eight feet of vertical height change.
Roof pitches range from 4/12 (a moderate) slope to 8/12 (a severe) slope for the majority of dwelling types (fairly steep). For example, 1/4:12 (nearly flat) to 12/12 (very steep) are examples of extreme slopes (sloping down at a perfect 45-degree angle).
