There are several factors that affect the cost of roof replacement, but no single factor has a greater effect than roof pitch.
What Is Roof Pitch?
Roof pitch measures the steepness of a roof. An average roof has 9/12 pitch, which some roofers refer to as “walkable”. This means the roof isn’t too steep for walking or working on it. Roof pitch is represented as a fraction or ratio. The first value (the upper half or numerator of a fraction) is the run, which measures the horizontal part of the pitch. The second value (the bottom half or denominator) is the rise, or the vertical measure, and is always represented as 12 inches (i.e. 1 foot). Therefore, our “walkable” example has 9 inches of rise for every foot of run.
How Pitch Affects Roof Replacement Cost
The steeper the roof is, the bigger the area will be; therefore, the more roofing material it will take to cover it. The choice may be out of your hands if the old roof will only be stripped down to the roofing deck. However, if your project involves rebuilding the roofing structure – which gives you the opportunity to change the roofline – increasing the roof pitch can cause a significant increase, even if you’re choosing the same roofing material. A significantly bigger roofing area will also mean increased labor costs and roofing maintenance services.
A higher roof pitch will also make the roof more efficient in shedding rain and snow, which means it will require higher capacity gutters and, therefore, may require a full gutter replacement. A bigger roof area may also mean that the attic will require additional ventilation, which means your new roof could be needing exhaust fans to properly vent heat and moisture from the attic. Working with a capable roofing contractor can help you build a pitched roof that balances good design and fits your budget.
Exterior Building Solutions is your leading provider of roofing services, including emergency leaking roof repair. Give us a call at (314) 470-8783, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Arnold, MO, and nearby areas.