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Have you ever stopped to think about what defines a house, establishes its character, and sets it apart from others? Well, there are several factors that contribute to the overall style, but one very defining feature is the pitch of the roof.
Roof pitches vary greatly; some are defined by the era they were constructed, others by their unique nature. Some roofs incorporate more than one pitch. So how do you determine the pitch of your roof?
It can be advantageous to know the pitch of your roof, although unless you are planning to replace your own roofing, it probably isn't information you'll need very often. An experienced roofing contractor will know the pitch of your roof at first glance. He or she will also be used to obtaining accurate measurements, taking into account the extra thickness of the shingles. It is important to have these measurements be as accurate as possible to ensure that just the right amount of new material is purchased. Whether too much or too little is purchased, it can cost you time and money. Request free estimates from prescreened and skilled roofing contractors in your area.
Roof pitches vary greatly; some are defined by the era they were constructed, others by their unique nature. Some roofs incorporate more than one pitch. So how do you determine the pitch of your roof?
Step 1:
Determine the style. There are many different styles of roof pitches.
- The gable roof has two equal sides that rise to a peak in the center.
- A hip roof has four sides that slope downward.
- A mansard roof is shaped like a rectangle that fans out at the base to form an overhang.
- A pyramid hip roof is similar to a regular hip roof but rises to meet in a point in the center.
- A gambrel roof is like a barn roof.
- A saltbox roof peaks as the gable roof, but one side is much longer than the other.
- A shed roof is flat and sometimes slanted.
Step 2:
Measuring the pitch. Roof pitches are determined by the measurements of their rise (the measurement from the top of the wall to the peak of the roof) and their run (the distance from the outside wall to the center of the house). You will hear your roof pitch described something like this: "a four and 12 elevation." This means the roof rises four inches for every 12 inches it runs. If you want to measure your pitch, it is easiest to measure a rafter either in the attic or on a gable end.
