Shed Roof Pitch For Snow

Pitched roofs are attractive and also can be used for additional space for a shed loft.

Shed roof pitch for snow.

Personally unless you live in an area of extreme snow load i would recommend you incorporate a shed roof pitch of between 4 12 and 6 12 for optimum results. Basically the steeper the pitch the better it can shed snow and rain. This is based on how much rain and snow you are likely to get in an average year. The flip side to this is that it also becomes more expensive to build both in materials and logistical difficulty.

Begin by measuring 12 inches on your level and marking it with a pencil. Once in the attic hold your level against the bottom of a roof rafter ensuring that all bubbles are resting in the center. There are advantages and disadvantages to having a steep pitch versus a shallow or low pitch the most obvious of which is the roof s ability to shed or withstand heavy snow rain or wind. Slopes greater than 6 12 will tend to shed snow regardless of the texture of the material on them so roof slopes should be configured to avoid shedding anywhere people might be walking or exiting.

This range makes up the bulk of new roofs being built on homes and outbuildings in the u s. They also plan to use the snow as an insulation blanket and design a cold roof system to stop ice dam concerns at the eave. This allows the snow to stay on while venting the roof system. Remember that pitch is calculated as the height or rise of a roof pitch over 12 inches of horizontal run.

You can safely measure the roof pitch from inside your attic with a level that is either 18 or 24 inches a tape measure and a pencil. The first thing you need to do is determine the correct pitch for your area. The gable style pitched roof is not only one of the most common styles of shed roof but it is also one of the easiest to build. Having a steeper pitched roof allows for more space in a shed loft.

The slope that works best seems to be 5 12. Constructing a new shed roof at the desired pitch is as easy as knowing how to use a speed square. Therefore if your roof rises 4 inches over the course of 12 inches of horizontal run then your roof pitch is 4 12. Steeper roof pitches are better at shedding rain and snow and are used more frequently in wetter colder areas.

If you live in an area with a lot of annual snowfall consider creating a also remember that metal roofs tend to shed snow more easily than shingled roofs. Designers there want the architectural freedom to have access around the building. A medium pitched roof is one that has a pitch of between 3 12 and 7 12. So in general the shallower pitch can be more dangerous with bigger slides.