Roof Pitch help.....3/12 ??

[FUNINBC]

Right now my designer has my roof pitch at 3/12 what are your thoughts? From what I can tell its chreaper, easier to walk on but the shingles wont last very long.

Here is what it looks like now. Should I spend the extra (50% more) on a steeper roof?

 

[NUTTSGT]

50% more for a steeper pitch ? 4/12 is almost standard around here and I can't why a slightly steeper pitch would cost that much more. Truss plans get sent off, built and delivered to the site.

Are you going with a metal roof ? Where do you live, got snow loads ?

 

[Pluribus]

50% of what?

If there's a big upcharge to go steeper, why not go with metal roofing? 3:12 is enough for snap-lock style of standing seam, an economical configuration. It will be more expensive than shingles, but likely a lot less than re-engineering the building.

 

[FUNINBC]

We are in the fire zone so we have to go with non combustible. The plan was to go with asphalt shingles. We do get snow here I would say the most is about 2 feet at one time. My guy said it's 50% more to go with 8/12

 

[mike93lx]

Steeper pitch uses more material and is harder to install, even if both are marginal.

50% seems like a lot though.

Steeper will shed water and snow better. Where are you located? Please add location in your profile.

 

[MoonRise]

3/12 pitch is considered "low pitch" and requires double underlayment (check the specific installation requirements for the specific shingles you are considering).

https://www.roofingcontractor.com/a...ails-ibc-codes-pertaining-to-asphalt-shingles

https://www.gaf.ca/Warranties_Techn...on_Low_Slopes_2_12_to_4_12_TAB_R_2011_127.pdf

And 50% more for a roof pitch steeper than 3/12? Why?

Going from a 3/12 pitch to a 4/12 pitch means using an 'extra' 2.3% of roof sheathing to cover the 'steeper' roof. Minuscule.

And "BC" as in British Columbia? Snow loads and rain may prefer at least a little bit steeper roof pitch.

Also, check with your local Building Department as they may have roof guidelines and requirements that you should listen too (guidelines) and must meet (requirements).

 

[kmacht]

I wouldn't worry about shingles lasting. In the raised ranch style homes are very common and almost all have either a 3 or 4:12 pitch. Most of their roofs last at least 20 years. The only reason I would go with a steeper pitch is if you wanted more headroom or overhead storage.

 

[NUTTSGT]

There''s a bigger difference between 3/12 and 8/12. The latter will probably need to be jacked for roofing install. It may require larger lumber as well.

Did the original asphalt shingle plan call for trusses 24"OC and what is the plan for metal roofing ? 48"OC ? If you only need half the number of trusses, it'll help save on material cost.

 

[Falcon67]

6/12 is more common around here, I'd no go less than 4/12. Not snow here - it's wind. My shop is 5/12 to save a bit on rafter tail waste. Wasn't a cost factor.

 

[FUNINBC]

you guys are awesome. This give me more to think about. if it's not that much more and if 4/12 is more common I'll ask for that to be changed in the plans.

 

[matt_i]

Keep in mind an 8:12 is not walkable and takes longer to do the entire roof from a pure labor standpoint.

Up to 6:12 you can walk it....after awhile it will be comfortable, but an average person can walk it.

 

[Kaizen]

I did 8/12 to match my house. Also did metal. Two feet of snow slides right off every time.
What is your house pitch if it’s close to the garage? Sometimes looks strange having two very different roofs. Btw cost difference of metal vs asphalt with all the trimmings was not far apart. Figure it out for yourself. Call around for prices and truss quotes.

I did my roof myself. Alone. Was not easy but worked out. A real roofer can dance on an 8/12 pitch eating a sandwich without problems.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[ddawg16]

I'd go 5/12. You can still walk on it and it can't be that much more. Easier to keep snow off

 

[The Cobbler]

I can see 8-12 being 50% more than 3-12 easily
4 to 6 wouldn't be too much more I bet

 

[ard]

OP. Visually the 'mass' of your roof is WAY too small compared to the massive walls. IMO.

Pitch"number" isnt the issue, IMO ...is it 6 or 8 or 10.... although to increase the visual mass you need to up the pitch. Also keep in mind that gable ends (and hips) will highlight the pitch.

but yeah, Id pay the extra.

 

[fourbyford]

Looks like I'm a bit south of you... every winter I get a little nervous as the snow starts stacking up. Last year, I had nearly 3' on the 3/12 portion of my garage roof. Just as I had pretty much decided I'd better shovel, we got a pretty significant warm up and it began to melt. There have been a number of buildings around here with collapsed roofs over the last couple of years. I think the biggest problem here is the water content of the snow... makes it very heavy... I'd guess BC to be similar. Our house has a 9 pitch roof on it... a couple of barns, the same. As some have mentioned, I would seriously consider a 6 pitch... shouldn't be as expensive as the 8 you mentioned but would help to shed the snow.
...D

 

[MushCreek]

We are in the fire zone so we have to go with non combustible. The plan was to go with asphalt shingles. We do get snow here I would say the most is about 2 feet at one time. My guy said it's 50% more to go with 8/12

Isn't a metal roof non-combustible? We went 5/12 metal, and it's pretty easy to walk on, unless it's wet. My gambrel roof barn is 12/7 on the lower part, and 7/12 on the upper. The labor wasn't really any higher, although the guy kept complaining that he was 'losing money'.

 

[dfiler2]

I'm still wondering how asphalt shingles are considered non combustible.


Originally Posted by FUNINBC View Post
We are in the fire zone so we have to go with non combustible. The plan was to go with asphalt shingles. We do get snow here I would say the most is about 2 feet at one time. My guy said it's 50% more to go with 8/12

 

[Prospecter]

I will 2nd that 6:12 is pretty easily walkable. Pros seem to be able to manage walking 8:12. I am 9:12 to match my original house. I did all my own shingling, but used roof jacks. (Old and wimpy guy here.)

 

[u2slow]

Right now my designer has my roof pitch at 3/12 what are your thoughts? From what I can tell its chreaper, easier to walk on but the shingles wont last very long.

Here is what it looks like now. Should I spend the extra (50% more) on a steeper roof?

Hey neighbour!

I have 4/12 on the house. Still decent to walk on. I would not go shallower. Doing my roof year-before-last, the instructions/warranty for the asphalt shingles require MORE than 4/12 pitch to get away from double underlayment. Might vary with brands.... I know it was only single underlayment that I peeled off, and I used #30 felt instead of the #15 that came off.

I still think steel is the way to go (hidden fastener type).

Shop has 6/12 pitch metal and the snow flies off. Too sketchy for me to walk on it unless its completely dry. Exposed fastener type, some of which are starting to leak now 7ish years later.

 

[My Old Tools]

Mine is 6/12 and metal. Makes more headroom in the loft.

 

[Kevin54]

If I had everything to do over from the things I have built I would go no less than a 5:12 or a 6:12, with 6:12 being preferable.

 

[kap]

My previous house was a ranch with a 5:12 pitch, I added a porch with a 3:12 pitch. Due to design constraints I couldn't go any steeper with the porch. The shingles on. The 5 pitch were always in much better shape than the porch with the 3 pitch. I would vote for the 5 pitch as a minimum. Beyond a 6 is difficult to walk it.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Innovate1]

The trend is to go to steeper roofs - 8:12 or even steeper - mostly for the look although sometimes rooms are added in the roof space. But as others have pointed out up to 6:12 is much easier to walk and work on. Going too low can be an issue with leaks or extra precautions to prevent them. I have a 6:12 attached garage and 8:12 house. Going with 6:12 on the detached garage. There is a little more shingle area due to the slope but not a big increase. Seems like a good compromise. It should also be easier to make the trusses for the load given the extra height although I haven't looked into that in detail - may only be an issue with very flat roofs and longs spans.