Shallow Pitched Roof Coverings

Visually this roof appears flat.

Shallow pitched roof coverings.

There are many problems associated with flat roofing such as leaks and short life span. In retrofit projects a sub framing system is attached to the existing flat roof surface to provide a minimum 12 roof pitch. It can seem confusing working out whether to go with a low pitch roof and what this could mean in the long run. The gentle slope of a hip roof with its trapezoidal sides and pyramid like elegance is a graceful traditional design that pleases the eyes and can be constructed in a combination of various unique styles.

The minimum pitch for a roof is 1 4 12 which translates to 1 4 inch rise to 12 inches of run. Moreover low slope metal roofs are not prone to the degradation experienced by organic materials enabling these roofs to better resist the elements. However this can vary depending on the manufacturer architect and installation company. It was fashionable for modern style homes built in the 1960s to have little pitch just a barely negligible slope to help drain water.

In fact a properly installed metal roof can be used on roofs as shallow as 1 2 inch 12 inches which is almost flat. Roofs on victorian era houses were often sharply. The risk of leaking is also reduced as rain water will roll down the slope rather than collect on a flat roof. A gable roof is shaped like an upside down v and is sometimes referred to as a dual pitched saddle saddleback or peaked roof.

Long lasting and old fashioned metal roofing is an excellent design choice if most of your house has steeper roof planes that are covered in traditional slate or tile. However you can only use this pitch with built up roofing or specialized synthetic roofing. Single ply membranes low pitch roofs these comprise thermoplastic membranes and thermoset membranes. With a low pitch roof instead the lifespan is greatly increased ensuring a durable and long lasting solution.

Click to enlarge any image or table in this case the finish roofing material whether asphalt shingles wood or tile functions mainly as a decorative element but also helps protect the underlying membrane from uv radiation and physical damage. Metal roofing made of steel and copper are ideal for shallow pitched roofs. Generally 17 5 and below is considered a low pitch roof. This pitch might be as low as 1 12.

Polymer modified bitumen sheet membrane these systems use multiple layers of reinforced fabrics and are normally installed as 2 ply systems in most applications.