Residential Roof Slopes

Run in degrees and as percentage the minimum roof slope allowed by code for any type of roofis in 12 applicable only to coal tar pitch roof systems.

Residential roof slopes.

The typical roof slope follows specific materials and design techniques to ensure perfect safety from leakage. Residential low slope roofing can generally be divided up into two broad categories. Larger flat roofed applications low slope such as residential condominium complexes row homes and town houses and smaller applications such as residential porch and garage transitions from the main home where the slope of the roof changes dramatically from steep slope to low slope on the same structure. It s a very simple roof design and is inexpensive because the roof serves as both roof and walls.

Pitches above 9 12 are very highly angled and are designated steep slope roofs. The international codes i codes are the widely accepted comprehensive set of model codes used in the us and abroad to help ensure the engineering of safe sustainable affordable and resilient structures. The slope of the roof on this modern pond side house allows the solar panels to take in as much energy as possible and lets rain water fall back into the pond to help with drainage around the house. The most commonly used roof pitches fall in a range between 4 12 and 9 12.

A common range is given from 1 12 to 4 12 whereas conventional dimensions vary from 4 12 to 9 12 but the steep roofing technique follows slope above 9 12 with additional fasteners. A steep slope roof is one whose slope is greater than 3 12. The majority of north american residential roofs have historically been constructed with a slope between about 4 12 and 9 12. It s steep pointed roof which extends all the way to the ground or close to the ground.

Steep slope roofing also. Holly smith architectsdesigned this louisiana home. Pitches of less than 2 12 are considered flat roofs even though they may be very slightly angled. The roof makes up much or all off the walls of the home.

Steeper slopes are ideal for areas that have higher snow loads and will also prevent the possibility of ponding water on the roof. Pitches lower than 4 12 have a slight angle and they are defined as low slope roofs. The following tableprovides the minimum required allowable roof slope for each type of roofing material mentioned in the code. Roofs at the lower end of the range about 4 12 to 6 12 are relatively easy to walk and work on.

The list below contains the common roof slopes and the terms which classify them. Photography by marc lamkin. Roof slope equivalents as rise. When it comes to residential construction your roof is a visible part of the structure.