A detail that roofing companies analyze to properly advise on the best roofing systems for their residential customers is pitch.

Pitch is a critical design element that roofing contractors must take into consideration when selecting appropriate roofing materials, as not all are designed to work on every building.

Continue reading to understand the value of pitch and how roofing services use this information to install a highly protective roofing system for a home or building!

What is Roof Pitch?

Roof pitch is the measurement that a roofing company takes to calculate the slope of a roof.

Expressed as a ratio of rise-to-distance, pitch defines the architecture of the structure to help roofing contractors know which roofing systems can be effectively used to protect that home or building.

An example of pitch is the measurement of 4” in 12” or 4:12, which means the slope rises 4 inches in height for every 12 inches in structural length of the roof.

What Are The Three Classifications of Pitch?

All roofing services and the industry in general recognize three classifications of pitch:

Flat - Designs with a pitch of only 2:12, which is the minimum slope recommended to still allow adequate water drainage.
Low-Slope - Designs with a pitch greater than 2:12 and up to 4:12.
Steep-Slope - Designs with a pitch greater than 4:12.

Based on these accepted classifications, roofing manufacturers design specific systems for use on structures with different slopes to ensure their functionality and ability to prevent leaks according to water-shedding ability.

How Does Pitch Affect Roofing System Selection?

Because pitch affects two critical factors for selecting a roofing system, roofing companies must always choose a system that is designed for use on a specific slope.

Primarily, pitch dictates the speed at which rainwater will shed off a roof, with water flowing faster down steeper slopes than lower ones.

Pitch also relates to the amount of wind load and uplift force a roof can be subject to, as flat designs tend to be affected more by uplift, while those with steeper slopes often withstand higher winds more easily.

Based on these two important factors, roofing contractors can make the right recommendation for materials that can withstand the conditions likely to affect a roof.

Shingles and tiles cannot be installed on flat roofs or those on the lower end of the low-slope spectrum for this reason.

Additionally, pitch is also an important factor that roofing services must consider when designing a solar panel installation, as different pitches receive varying amounts of direct sunlight.

The pitch and positioning of solar panels directly affect their efficiency and power-generating abilities, with lower-slope pitches more favorable for solar installations.

Consult With An Experienced Roofing Contractor

When hiring a roofing company to install a new roof, it is essential to understand the pros and cons of each system and its appropriateness for the specific home.

Never assume that every shingle, panel, or tile can work on every roof.

A skilled roofing contractor can measure the pitch of a homeowner’s roof and then properly advise them on which materials will function best for them.

Find a respected roofing service experienced with different roofing systems that can properly assess home architecture and recommend very suitable installation choices!