Normal Roof Pitch

Display of roof pitches 1 12 through 18 12.

Normal roof pitch.

The pitch of the roof is determined by the vertical rise in inches for every horizontal twelve inch length. Most roofs in america follow these dimensions where pitch range is kept between 3 to 7 1 2. Thatch is one of the oldest roofing materials and needs a steep pitch to drain properly some types of stone roofs have a very restrictive roof pitch. For pitches of 2 5 12 up to 4 12 the roof requires double underlayment.

Roof pitch varies depending on culture climate style and available materials. In the uk the typical house has a pitch between 40 50 although 45 should be avoided. The minimum pitch for a roof is 1 4 12 which translates to 1 4 inch rise to 12 inches of run. A flat roof would have a 2 12 pitch while the average roof pitch would be between 4 12 and 9 12.

This measurement is best done on a bare roof because curled up roofing shingles will impair your measurement. Slopes above 19 12 are not recommended since tiles on very steep roofs can rattle. An average person can easily and safely walk upon these roofs without need of additional equipment. Clay or cement tiles can be used on a wide range of roof pitches.

Any pitch higher than 9 12 is considered a steep pitch. Pitches lower than 4 12 have a slight angle and they are defined as low slope roofs. Pitches of less than 2 12 are considered flat roofs even though they may be very slightly angled. With insufficient pitch a roof can leak rain and with a pitch too great its stones will fall loose.

Pitch is a measure of the steepness of a roof. The picture below shows the pitch of a 7 12 roof slope meaning that for 12 of horizontal measurement roof run the vertical measurement roof rise is 7. The most commonly used roof pitches fall in a range between 4 12 and 9 12. So the pitch of a roof is determined by how many inches the slope rises for every 12 inches it runs horizontally.

If a roof increases in height by four inches for every foot of horizontal run it is considered to have a 4 in 12 pitch or just a 4 pitch talk in terms of pitches and you will always be understood in the roofing universe. Pitches above 9 12 are very highly angled and are designated steep slope roofs. 4 12 to 20 12 pitches.