What Roof Pitch Should You Choose?

Let us help you decide…

What is roof pitch:

metal building roof pitch

In steel building construction, the roof pitch is the slope of the roof, measured by how high it “rises” vertically for every horizontal “run.” For example, if a roof goes up 3 feet for every 12 feet it goes horizontally, it’s called a 3:12 pitch.

Usually, roofs with a steep pitch are made for places with a lot of snow because a steeper slope helps snow slide off more easily. But, when it comes to steel buildings, this rule about slope is different. With pre-engineered steel buildings, special software considers things like the roof pitch, how far apart the columns are, and the strength of the steel. This means a steel building with a low pitch of 1:12 can be designed to hold up under 60 pounds of snow per square foot just as well as one with a steeper pitch of 4:12.

Roof Pitch Choice

With this in mind, most customers determine their roof pitch based on

1)    Preference of a particular roof pitch appearance,

2)    Whether or not the roof is colored, and/or

3)    Matching roof pitches of existing buildings in the area.

What Roof Pitch Should I Choose

The higher the roof pitch, the better for heavier snow conditions.

Roof pitch preference often depends on where someone grew up. For example, if you’re from the North East where homes usually have steep roofs, you might like that style. But if you’re from the South West, where roofs tend to be flatter, you might prefer a lower pitch.

When it comes to color, most I-beam steel buildings come with a silver-gray galvalume finish. If you want a colored roof, it will cost more. Although the galvalume finish isn’t bad looking, it’s pretty plain. So, if your roof is visible from the ground, you might want to go for a color. How well you can see the roof from the street depends on how tall the building is and the roof’s slope. You’re more likely to see the roof of a building with a steep 4:12 pitch than one with a shallow 1:12 pitch, no matter how tall the building is.

Another thing to think about is the warranty. A colored roof comes with a 40-year warranty for the paint, while the galvalume finish has a 30-year warranty.

The matching look of neighboring buildings – The other determinant is matching the roof pitch rise of other buildings in the area.  As an example, if the new steel building will sit alongside a house with a steep pitch, it might be smart to match the roof pitch and color appearance as much as possible for a harmonious appeal.

All in all, deciding upon the roof pitch of your new steel building is an important factor to consider in the design phase of your inspired new project – enhancing your satisfaction with the building for decades to come!

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