Minimum Pitch For Metal Roof Snow Slide Off

Most residential metal roofs require at least a 3 12 roof pitch and have no maximum roof pitch.

Minimum pitch for metal roof snow slide off.

Anything over a 6 12 pitch tends to make massive amounts of snow slide off the roof without warning. Standing seam metal roofs which allow snow to slide more easily might do. The pitch is measured in inches of vertical rise per foot of horizontal run and the 5v crimp profile shown above requires a minimum slope of three in twelve or 3 12 3 inches vertically per 12 inches horizontally. The minimum slope for lapped non soldered seam metal roofs without applied lap sealant shall be three units vertical in 12 units horizontal 25 percent slope.

The minimum slope for lapped non soldered seam metal roofs with applied lap sealant shall be one half unit vertical in 12 units horizontal 4 percent slope. Lap sealants shall be applied in accordance with the approved manufacturer s installation instructions. That is a 14 degree angle. In an effort to solve the problems associated with moving snow and ice i have heeded the experience and resources of european construction industry and have implemented their ideas with great success.

Roof pitches of 3 12 4 12 5 12 or 6 12 work best for metal buildings in snow country. However it is regrettable that many installers usually ignore this requirement due to the desire for a quick installation process. They would say use a low slope approximately 5 12 and keep the snow on. So in general the shallower pitch can be more dangerous with bigger slides.

Slopes greater than 6 12 will tend to shed snow regardless of the texture of the material on them so roof slopes should be configured to avoid shedding anywhere people might be walking or exiting. Once in the attic hold your level against the bottom of a roof rafter ensuring that all bubbles are resting in the center. Corrugated metal roofing has the same minimum pitch. Mechanically seamed standing seam metal roofs commonly used on large warehouses and the like can be used on much lower roof pitches.

Anything less than 1 12 pitch is a huge mistake in snow prone climates. That means there is at least 3 of vertical rise to the roof slope for every 12 it goes back horizontally. The minimum pitch for metal roof shingles and lapped non soldered panels is 3 12. The higher the roof pitch the more often the snow slides off.

The recommended minimum roof pitch for shingles is 2 12 or simply two units of vertical rise to every twelve units of horizontal span.