When deciding on a new roof, there are several aspects that can affect the price. Material choice, size and shape of the roof, labor, and many more elements will be factored into the price of a new roof. Another item that many homeowners do not consider to affect the price of their new roof is the pitch. We’re not talking about the pitch at the baseball game last night, but rather the pitch of your roof. 

To help you better understand the roof pitch, we are going to discuss it in further detail today. We’ll go over the roofer’s definition, how it affects the price, and why it is such a big factor in determining the price of your new roof.

What is a roof pitch?

A roof pitch refers to the steepness of the roof and can also be referenced as the slope, incline or angle. Roofers typically refer to it as a pitch and can be found by factoring the rise over run. The rise refers to the slope of the roof in inches and the run refers to the run in inches. The run will always be 12 because it represents the rise for every 12 inches forward. Below is a graph to show you exactly how this works. 

For example, a roof that has a pitch of 4/12 it means the roof rises four inches for every twelve inches forward. Roofers tend to classify roof pitches:

• Low – Rises no more than three inches for every twelve inches forward. 
• Medium – Rises between six and twelve inches for every twelve inches forward.
• High – Rises nine inches or more for every twelve inches forward.

How to use the pitch to determine price

Many roofers use pitch to help determine the type of roofing material that can be used for the roof along with the amount of material needed. For example, a roof with 1/12 pitch will likely be a flat roof, but you would not use the same material on a roof that has a 7/12 pitch. 

Additionally, the pitch is used to determine how much material is needed for a roof. This is where the roof pitch multiplier comes into play. Based on the pitch, you can use the multiplier to determine the amount of material needed. A flat roof has a pitch of 1, meaning the material needed is 1 times the size of the roof. A shingle roof that has a pitch of 5 will require 1.083 material times the size of the roof. You can view the multiplier for each pitch ratio here.

What else factors into the price based on the roof pitch?

Roofers across the country tend to charge more to work on roofs that have a steep roof pitch. Why? It is more difficult to work on roofs with steep pitches. There is an increased safety risk with these types of roofs and more equipment is needed to ensure the job is done right and safe. Not only is there the added cost for equipment, but this adds time and crew needs.

The steeper the roof, the more material is needed to complete the job. We are not just talking about the roofing material itself, but other needs for the roof. This could include more nails, underlayment, roof deck, etc. to install the roof.

How much will my new roof cost?

You could of course measure your roof and try to determine the cost of a new roof yourself. However, the better thing to do to get the most accurate estimate for cost is to ask your local roofer. Many roofers offer free estimates to remove your current roof and install a new one. We highly recommend acquiring at three estimates if you do not have a roofer you already trust. 

Craven Construction is located in the East Valley and is here for all of your roofing needs. Our team is highly experienced with roofs of every shape, size, and material. We are also professionally trained, licensed and insured for your added peace of mind. Call our office or request an estimate below to schedule your FREE estimate today.

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About Craven Construction

Craven Construction is dedicated to providing our customers with honest and reliable roofing services. With over two decades of residential and commercial experience, we are here to serve you and all of your roofing needs.

Our team of experienced roofers is licensed and knowledgeable in working with all types of roofing. We offer high quality roofing services and are capable of getting your project completed in a timely, efficient manner.