Roof pitch too low?
homeowner
4 years ago
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homeowner
4 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
4 years agoRelated Discussions
low-pitch roofs in snowy climates
Comments (16)Minimum design "Ground Snow Load" is contained in charts by cities & towns in the 7th edition of the MA State Building Code. The single family portion is published separately and taken primarily from the 2003 IRC but there are sections unique to MA. The code comes in a 3.5" thick loose-leaf binder and can be purchased at the state bookstore at the statehouse in Boston for $35. It can also be seen online at the link below. Your location probably has the highest snow live load of 65 psf. For comparison Boston is 45 psf. If the dead load is 10 psf the total design load would be 75 psf. This number would be modified by roof slope, potential for drifted snow, etc. This is not a big issue for a typical house design because the building code rafter design tables take into consideration the ground snow load. As I mentioned before, in terms of waterproofing, the important issue is not the amount of snow but the extent of freeze-thaw cycles. Unless you have lived in snow country near the east coast you might not understand how destructive ice can be on a roof. You should use full coverage Ice & Water Shield roofing underlayment and put any gutters an inch below the projected plane of the roof surface. Personally, I would consider the Prairie Style the least practical house design for northeastern MA. I've designed ski resorts in the Rockies and the Alps and built houses in VT, NH, and ME. Snow is never the problem; it's ice and poor detailing that destroys houses. Wright might have been ahead of his time artistically speaking, but his stubborn, arrogant disdain for the practical aspects of building and the comfort of his clients is legendary. His houses were not only non-owner-friendly but were difficult to keep dry and warm and he didn't care. Personally, I think his net influence on the architecture of single family houses was negative. Check out the Westhope house in Oklahoma for a good example of how not to design a house. This is the house where he told the owner to move his desk when informed by phone that the roof was leaking on it. The man's wife when moving pots and pans around the living room to catch roof leaks in the newly completed house is quoted as saying that "This is what we get for leaving a work of art out in the rain". Here is a link that might be useful: MA State Building Code...See MoreRoof pitch - is 5:12 too "flat"?
Comments (4)I do not personally see that it will make much of a difference 5 or 6. This house although it is a contemporary rambler it has traditional elements and so a 7 pitch is probably more common -although in Southern Europe you could find a lot of roofs with 3 or 4 pitches. Most of the low pitched roofs on ranch style houses would be fully hipped and not use gables -(which is adding another significant cost to this design) You can find a lot with gables as well but generally not Dutch gabled and generally they would be of a simpler form. So really I think that you need to decide for yourself if the extra costs are worth it. As far as resale value generally speaking higher pitched roofs are more popular than lower but many other factors effect resale value other than roof pitch and if you live there for 20 years who knows what will be in style then....See MoreWant your opinions on roof pitch
Comments (8)Thanks Lazy! If the front to the back of the shed is only 8 feet, and my peak is going to be in the middle,, then my run will be only 4 feet, therefore, a 12/12 pitch would only have a roof height of 4 feet?? Agree? My ridge is going to run parallel to the front and back of the shed. i hope I am making myself clear! Do you think a steeper pitched roof, for appearances sake will be better than lets say a 4/12 pitch, for walls 8 feet high? Thanks, jim...See MoreLOW pitched ROOFS - any issues with water leaks?
Comments (18)Typically, asphalt shingle manufacturers recommend installing asphalt shingles on a slope of 4 in 12 or greater however most manufactures will warrant their shingles down to 2 in 12 if the recommended installation method is used. Currently that method is full coverage of Ice & Water Shield or one of its imitators. Be careful to read the instructions because some manufacturers require the use of their version of I&WS which can be inferior. Its all about marketing; you must pay more for longer limited warranty that deceases in value every day. The warranty is the marketing tool that took the place of shingle weight per square when felt changed to fiberglass decades ago. The ultimate is a Lifetime warranty which apparently has no clear definition. I specify full I&WS underlayment on all roofs regardless of the slope. Warranties protect you from a bad run at the factory and little else, I&WS is cheap instance for leaks for the duration....See Morehomeowner
4 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
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4 years agoRevolutionary Gardens
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4 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
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4 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
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4 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
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4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years agohomeowner
4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years agohomeowner
4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years agohomeowner
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
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4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
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4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years agohomeowner
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years agohomeowner
4 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
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