Minimum Snow Slope Roof Pitch

The minimum slope for standing seam of roof systems shall be one quarter unit vertical in 12 units horizontal 2 percent slope.

Minimum snow slope roof pitch.

The chief reason for having a roof pitch is to redirect water and snow away from the roof and avoid any percolation that might result from stagnation of water on the roof. In general determining the pitch of an existing roof is a simple calculation. Run in degrees and as percentage the minimum roof slope allowed by code for any type of roof is in 12 applicable only to coal tar pitch roof systems. In country with heavy snow and tough winter days the metal roof minimum slope is recommended to be 1 12.

The standing seam metal roof on this ice hockey rink leaked like a sieve a few weeks after the first snow arrived. The minimum pitch for a roof is 1 4 12 which translates to 1 4 inch rise to 12 inches of run. A minimum pitch of 3 in 12 or even 4 in 12 will normally be required. If a roof slope rises say 4 inches when measured 12 inches along the bottom of a horizontal roof truss the roof slope is said to be 4 12.

The profile refers to the shape the metal sheets take when they bend to. Note that roof pitch is sometimes used in parallel with roof slope. The 1 4 inch per foot slope was not adequate. This can be accomplished by measuring the number of inches the roof rises vertically for every 12 inches it extends horizontally.

For example a roof with a 6 inch 12 pitch is one where it rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 inches of the horizontal run. The minimum roof pitch is also subject to the standards set forth by the various building codes used in the respective regions. I e 4 inches of rise per 12 inches one foot of run. Keep in mind that neither metal shingles not corrugated metal panels are suitable options for low slope or nearly flat roofs.

However you can only use this pitch with built up roofing or specialized synthetic roofing. Low pitch roofs are seldom used in regions of severe weather due to the stress of snow accumulation on roofs of structures. However roof pitch is technically measured and defined differently. There are some opinions that standing seam metal roof minimum slope is 12 but it increases the possibility of leaking on the few first days of snow arrival.

Importance of a roof pitch. A minimum slope of 1 inch per foot is recommended in snow country. Degrees to pitch rise in run table. Depending on the roof profile there are minimum roof slope requirements for each panel which need to be considered.