Roof pitch is a term used to describe the steepness of a roof’s slope, which is calculated by its angle. The pitch affects a lot more than your curb appeal. Before you have your residential roofing installed or replaced, you should understand the following aspects of a pitch and how you can find the right angle for your roof.

What Are the Different Types?

Every pitch is expressed with a fraction out of 12. If you have a roof pitch of 3:12, for example, the roof rises three feet over every 12 feet of distance. These numbers can be broken down into one of three categories, low, medium, and high. A low-pitch, or relatively flat roof, is between 2:12 and 4:12. These are the safest to walk and perform maintenance on. However, snow and water can build up on the surface easily. They tend to work well in mild climates on contemporary homes.

A medium pitch is between 4:12 and 8:12, and most residential roofing fits within this category. Homes often have different pitches within this range to add interest to the roofline. A high pitch, or steep roof, is 9:12 and higher. A high pitch roof is the most expensive to install and maintain due to the difficulty of moving around on it safely. However, it makes for a dramatic profile and is common in Victorian homes.

How Can It Affect Your Home?

Climate is an important consideration in choosing your pitch. The slope determines the effectiveness of your drainage system. The steeper the roof, the better it will be at funneling water off your roof into the gutter system with the help of gravity. Those steeper roofs are also better at flushing debris and leaves off the roof since the water will help carry it off. Lower pitched roofs will be more likely to collect standing water and piles of wet debris, which may cause a lot of damage in a wet climate.

Those who live in a windy location benefit from a lower-pitched roof. The steeper the roof, the more likely the shingles are to catch on the wind and be damaged. This is called wind shear. A lower-pitched roof is also ideal for those who want lower installation and repair costs since working on a flatter roof is less labor-intensive and dangerous.

The roofing contractors at Berry Construction Storm Repair can recommend the best pitch for your home in O’Fallon, MO. For almost 20 years, they have been recognized as the residential roofing experts of St. Charles and West St. Louis counties. Whether you need a roof replacement, a new installation, or repairs, they’ll handle it all at reasonable rates. Learn more online and call (636) 294-7663 to schedule a consultation.