Roofing
Roof Pitch
The slope of a roof expressed as the number of inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run — for example, 4:12 or 8:12.
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In the Field
Pitch determines material selection and installation method. Asphalt shingles require a minimum 2:12 pitch with underlayment modifications. Low-slope systems (under 2:12) require membrane roofing. Always verify pitch matches the plans before ordering materials.
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Rule of Thumb
A 4:12 pitch is considered moderate and is the most common residential slope. Above 6:12, roofers work on steep-slope safety harnesses — factor this into your labor cost.