Roof Pitch: Why It’s Important in Choosing Roof Material

While price and aesthetics are important considerations when picking a roofing material, roof pitch should be one of the first things you have to figure out. Measuring your home’s roof pitch will help you narrow down your choices and take you a step closer to the right type of roofing material.

Blue Sky Roofing, a trusted expert in roof installation, shines the spotlight on roof pitch and why you should take note of it when selecting a roofing material.

Roof Pitch

Roof pitch is basically the slant, slope, or angle of a roof. Experts usually write it as two numbers denoting a ratio, where the first number refers to the height or vertical measurement of the roof and the second number represents the length or horizontal measurement of a roof.

These numbers are separated by a slash or colon such as 8/12 or 8:12. Roofing companies refer to the roof pitch when doing an installation or replacement job since this measurement determines the performance of the roofing material — for example, in terms of how quickly it can shed water or debris.

Roofing Materials and Their Recommended Roof Pitch Ranges

Different roofing materials are recommended for various pitch ranges. For instance, roof pitches with lower angles at .25/12 to 3/12 require roofing materials like rubber membrane, built-up roofing (BUR), torch-down roofing and standing seam metal.

Meanwhile, clay or cement tiles work on a wide range of roof pitches, typically from 2.5/12 to 19/12. If your roof pitch ranges from 4/12 to 20/12, asphalt shingles would be your best option. For the 5/12 to 12/12 pitch range, wood and slate shingles would be appropriate.

Blue Sky Roofing offers an array of services including roof replacement, siding installation and others. Call us at (405) 437-2166 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Oklahoma City and in surrounding areas.