Business & Contracts
What is Roof Pitch?
Roofing Glossary · Business & Contracts
Definition
The steepness of a roof expressed as a ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run — for example, 6:12 means 6 inches of rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run. Pitch affects the required roofing material (very low pitches require membrane systems), the difficulty and cost of installation (steep pitches require safety equipment and more time), the effective roof surface area compared to the footprint, and the home's drainage capacity.
Related Roofing Terms
→
Slope FactorA multiplier applied to a home's footprint area to calculate the actual roof surface area, accountin...
→Square FootageThe total surface area of a roof measured in square feet, calculated from the home's footprint adjus...
→Low-Slope ApplicationRoofing installation on pitches between 2:12 and 4:12 that require special low-slope underlayment sy...
More Business & Contracts Terms
Get an Instant Roof Estimate
Now that you know what roof pitch means, put that knowledge to work. Enter your address to get a free satellite-based estimate and compare standardized quotes from pre-vetted local contractors.
Get My Free Estimate