Shed Roof Pitch For Snow

The first thing you need to do is determine the correct pitch for your area.

Shed roof pitch for snow.

A medium pitched roof is one that has a pitch of between 3 12 and 7 12. This is based on how much rain and snow you are likely to get in an average year. 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.

Having a steeper pitched roof allows for more space in a shed loft. 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 higher the roof pitch the more often the snow slides off. Steeper roof pitches are better at shedding rain and snow and are used more frequently in wetter colder areas.

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. Therefore if your roof rises 4 inches over the course of 12 inches of horizontal run then your roof pitch is 4 12. Pitched roofs are attractive and also can be used for additional space for a shed loft. 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.

As stated in the video speed squares have useful markings on them from 0 to 12. Remember that pitch is calculated as the height or rise of a roof pitch over 12 inches of horizontal run. 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.

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. So in general the shallower pitch can be more dangerous with bigger slides. This allows the snow to stay on while venting the roof system. Begin by measuring 12 inches on your level and marking it with a pencil.

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. 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. The flip side to this is that it also becomes more expensive to build both in materials and logistical difficulty. Basically the steeper the pitch the better it can shed snow and rain.