The overall shape of your roof impacts more than the aesthetics of your home. The construction, the materials, and the slope of your roof come together to provide you and your family with the first line of defense against the elements. So when you notice that your roof needs patching or a full replacement, you want to get it done quickly. However, some factors make the process trickier than one thinks at first glance.
Roof replacement can present a challenge for homeowners. Finding the right roof replacement contractors in the East Windsor, NJ area can help you streamline the process, but there are still some factors that you need to consider when starting a new roofing project. Whether you are building your home from scratch or plan on replacing an existing roof, factoring in the roof’s pitch goes a long way toward defining your project scope. But what exactly is roof pitch, and why does it have such an impact on your roof?
What is Roof Pitch?
Roof pitch refers to the angle at which the roof slopes. There isn’t a set standard across the housing industry for roof pitch, but multiple factors need to be considered when you begin any roofing job. If you are replacing an existing roof, you want to know what the pitch is, and you need to know how to figure out that ratio. To determine your roof’s pitch, you need the roof’s vertical “rise” over the horizontal “run.” That ratio will give you the pitch of the roof.
Is There a Standard Roof Pitch?
While there isn’t an industry standard for roof pitch, most pitches will fall within the range of 4″/12″ to 9″/12″. Pitches lower than a 4″/12″ will lead to your roof having a slight angle, and any under 2″/12″ is considered a flat roof. Pitches that are 9″/12″ and above are regarded as high-angle roofs. The pitch’s steepness determines everything from aesthetics to practicality, like fallen leaves that may have accumulated on your roof in the fall. Additionally, slopes that are either too steep or too shallow have direct effects on the types of building materials you can utilize for your roof.
How Does Roof Pitch Affect the Total Cost of the Replacement?
Roof pitch has a significant impact on the final cost. Depending on how steep your roof is, it may directly impact how much it will ultimately cost your roof’s installation or repairs. The steeper the roof, the more difficult the worker’s job becomes. The added difficulty increases the overall labor costs to compensate for the extenuating circumstances.
Material Limitations
Now that you understand how pitch can affect your roof replacement, you need to consider your replacement roof materials. As with the labor and replacement costs, roof pitch must be carefully considered when selecting materials. Your pitch directly impacts which kinds of materials you can use for your roof.
Which Material Works Best With Different Pitches
For a shallower pitch, asphalt shingles cannot be used. With low slope or flat roofs, rainwater has an easier time penetrating asphalt shingles and causing water damage to your roof’s structural foundation. If your roof sports a shallower pitch (that is less than 2), then you’ll want to utilize a flat roofing material such as GAF Liberty or Owens Corning Deckseal as these residential products are engineered to handle low-sloped design. As a GAF Master Elite and Owens Corning Preferred Contractor we are experts in the installation of these products.
Asphalt shingles work better for regular and steep slope roofs. This style remains one of the most popular roofing materials for homeowners. With asphalt, you get a great deal of adaptability for pitch ranges and protection from the elements. These are the kinds of considerations homeowners need to factor in when they embark on these home renovation projects.
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Are you in need of repairs for a leaky roof in Toms River, NJ? If you are, call Elegant Exteriors, LLC for a free estimate today at (908)-356-6372!
