What is Roof Pitch? [And How it Impacts Roof Repairs and Replacements]

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When it comes to purchasing a new roof or repairing your existing one, there’s typically a lot of research involved. Your roof is a huge investment, and a confident and informed consumer does their due diligence. This task can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re unfamiliar with roofing, as there is certain terminology used in the industry that may feel foreign.

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Elite Exteriors wants to help you along your journey for knowledge when it comes to roofing by breaking down some common roofing jargon, specifically “roof pitch.” If you’ve already started your quest for more information, then you’ve probably heard this term before. So, what is roof pitch? Keep reading to discover what roof pitch is and how it impacts roof repairs and roof replacements.

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Table of Contents

- What is Roof Pitch?

- How Does Roof Pitch Affect Cost?

- Roof Pitch and Roofing Material

- Calculating Roof Pitch

- Other Factors that Impact Roof Prices

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What is Roof Pitch?

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So, what is roof pitch? It’s simply the steepness, or angle, of your roof. “Pitch” is the most common term used in the roofing industry for this, but you may also sometimes hear it referred to as “roof slope.” A roof’s pitch can be calculated by the number of inches or feet that it rises vertically, for every 12 inches or feet that it extends horizontally.

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When speaking with a roofing contractor, you will more than likely see or hear it in the form of a ratio. For example, a roof that is 4 inches vertical for every 12 inches horizontal, that would be a 4/12 pitch. And there can be multiple pitches, depending on the size and complexity of your roof.

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How Does Roof Pitch Affect Cost?

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One must also consider how this affects the price of your roof repair or roof replacement to truly answer the question, “what is roof pitch?” There are a lot of factors that can influence cost when it comes to your roof, and one of the big ones is roof pitch and the complexity of your roof. Roof complexity is how divided, detailed, and cut up your roof is with different valleys, hips, and facets.

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Roof pitch plays a big role in roof complexity, and can impact the price of your roof. For example, if you have a steep pitch, it may take more time to replace your roof. Roofing installers will need to take time to put safety measures in place, and won’t be able to access tools or materials as easily on a steep roof versus a roof with a walkable pitch.

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With that being said, the steeper and more complex your roof is, the more time and labor it will take to fix or replace it. This is one way that roof pitch affects the cost of your roof. A complex roof that’s steep will cost more than your standard roof.

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Roof Pitch and Roofing Material

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In most situations, you can have any type of roofing material installed, regardless of roof pitch. However, there are times when a particular roof pitch will require a certain type of roofing material. One case where this is true is when you have a low slope or a flat area on your roof.

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If you have a roof pitch that’s low, it may not be steep enough to install shingles on it the way the manufacturer intended. And you always want to be sure that your contractor installs shingles as directed by the manufacturer, as failure to do this could lead to bigger problems down the road. If you have a flat roof or low slope roof, it’s best to install a metal roof, TPO roofing, or another roof membrane system.

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On the other hand, if you have a roof pitch that’s extremely steep and almost vertical, like a mansard roof, you will want to consider the weight of the roofing material. Since asphalt shingles are heavy, for example, this would not be a good fit for a roof with an extremely steep pitch. Asphalt shingles have been known to slide off of steep roofs over time, so, in this case, it would be best to choose a lighter product like cedar shake shingles or DaVinci synthetic shingles.

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Calculating Roof Pitch

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There are plenty of resources out there on how to measure a roof’s pitch. While this can be great for educational purposes, we highly recommend leaving that to a professional roofing contractor. Climbing a ladder or walking on a roof can be very dangerous for someone who isn’t used to it.

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Especially if you’re inexperienced at this, it’s also hard to know whether or not you’re doing it properly and have gathered the correct measurements. Either way, hiring a contractor to determine your roof’s pitch is the best way to ensure you have accurate results, and aren’t putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.

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Choosing a knowledgeable, experienced, and vetted roofing contractor is the key to success when it comes to roof repairs and roof replacements. For help with finding a roofing contractor perfect for your needs, check out our recent blog, “5 Questions to Ask a Potential Roofing Contractor [For Professionalism and Peace of Mind].”

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Other Factors that Impact Roof Prices

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So, what is roof pitch? Well, it’s just one of the many factors that can affect the price of your new roof. Aside from roof pitch and complexity, other things to consider include:

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• The roofing material that you choose
• The components of your existing roof system
• Time and labor to complete the project
• Your roof’s accessibility
• Penetrations like skylights, vents, and chimneys
• Roof decking
• Cleanup fees for getting rid of the old roofing materials
• Your roofing contractors operating costs

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And that’s just to name a few! The best and most reliable way to get an accurate estimate for your new roof or to repair your existing one is by hiring a professional roofing contractor. They have the knowledge and the tools necessary to provide you with an accurate estimate.

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Luckily, Elite Exteriors offers a FREE initial consultation and inspection, which makes determining cost fast and simple. Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier residential and commercial resource for unparalleled service, superior craftsmanship, and incomparable quality when it comes to your roofing needs. And it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty!

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Give Elite Exteriors a call today at 470-350-3024 to set up your NO-COST consultation and inspection, and begin your home’s amazing transformation! You can also check out our website to discover what we offer, read our reviews, and see images of our previous projects. Click here to fill out our online form for more information.

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