Roof Pitch For Shedding Snow

Constructing a new shed roof at the desired pitch is as easy as knowing how to use a speed square.

Roof pitch for shedding snow.

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. If you are building a new roof however consider the climate to determine the correct pitch and proper materials. On january 19 2020 by jaka santuy. The key factors are usually snow loading requirements adequate slope and the use of snow guards when needed.

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. This has more to do with weather conditions than pitch. This will extend the life of your roof. People have been killed by snow avalanches sliding off roofs during big snow winters.

Basically the steeper the pitch the better it can shed snow and rain. If these issues are addressed during the design stage and the roofing contractor does his job these systems will almost always perform as intended. Whichever roof pitch you choose make sure that you select a roof covering that is designed to be waterproof at the angle that you eventually select. Remember that pitch is calculated as the height or rise of a roof pitch over 12 inches of horizontal run.

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. Best roof pitch for shedding snow. Snow can certainly slide off of a 4 12 roof. Installing low slope metal roofing snow shedding and photovoltaics alpine design basics 360niseko metal roof design for cold climates shed roof pitch zacs garden.

Your shed roof pitch may also be influenced by your project specific requirements to let light into the building through the roof or create storage space in the roof void. However the larger factor is that when the sun comes out radiant heat passes through the snow is reflected outward melts the snow from underneath and causes it to slide. The higher the roof pitch the more often the snow slides off. Therefore if your roof rises 4 inches over the course of 12 inches of horizontal run then your roof pitch is 4 12.