About Roof Pitches

The pitch of a roof is determined by the angle of descent from the apex to the eaves. The most important thing about the pitch of a roof is its slant. The higher the angle is the more protected it will be. A pitch is measured by the run and rise. For example, a 4/12 pitch means the roof rises four inches for every twelve inches it runs.

Benefits

Benefits concerning roofline are best realized by the slope of the roof and the singles that are used. The pitch of the room plays an instrumental role in the benefit that it provides. These benefits include water runoff and a deterrent to frozen precipitation such as snow and ice. If the roof is high-pitched, the snow and ice will slide down the singles as it melts instead of penetrating the roof underneath the singles.

Features

One of the features that stand out on a roof that has a high pitch is the ability to create dormers. Dormers can add to the overall look of the roof and are usually big enough to install windows in them. In the summer, these windows can be opened to allow heat to escape from the attic. They also create a perfect spot for scanning the night sky with a telescope.

Effects

The effect of a roofline is more noticed by the shingles installed on it. It is easier to notice the effects created by a roof with a higher pitch than one with a lower pitch. This is true simply because there is more area to work with. Therefore, the effect that shingles would leave is different on a roofline that is high-pitched than a roof with a lower pitch. The common pitch of the high-pitched roof to give this affect is 4/12.

Function

The function of a high-pitched roofline is best realized by the heating and cooling costs of the house. The higher the pitch, the more space you have in the attic. Therefore, insulation above the ceiling in a house with a high pitch roof is easier to install and will usually have more than that of a low pitch roof. It also makes it easier to lay plywood on the ceiling joists to get around in the attic.

Considerations

Considerations to be made when building a house should include the roof pitch, including how space will be used. Another consideration has to do with the geographical location. If this area is prone to high winds then a good choice for the roof pitch is 4/12. This makes it more difficult for the wind to get under the singles and blow them off.

Resources

• Roof Pitch Diagram Chart
• Calculating a Roof Pitch