Residential low slope roofing can generally be divided up into two broad categories.
Shallow pitch garage roof.
The rules can occasionally be broken but generally you should not exceed the low range of the recommendation.
Keep in mind the rafter approach can take several days and up to 3 weeks to complete a suitable frame.
A low pitched roof is anything that is any roof with a pitch of 3 12 or less.
Many roofing shingles do not allow applications onto roofs at this pitch.
If your garage is 24 feet wide and has a 4 12 roof the new rafter ties can be placed no more than 16 inches up from the plate without additional engineering.
Simply put it s a shallow roof.
The smallest pitch of a roof is 0 5 12.
That means the roof doesn t shed water as easily as steeper roofs which is why choosing the right type of roofing material is so important.
A mansard roof in opposition to a salt box offers the utility of a full half room on the upper floor rather than an attic.
As roof materials a shallow roof pitch became possible.
If going the non trussed route for a moderate to low pitched roof the rate per square foot of framing including labor is a range of 11 to 22.
These are often steeply pitched roofs.
A completely flat roof is a poor design as water and snow will collect on it eventually leading to your roof collapsing in from the weight of it all.
A low slope roof design typically has a pitch of between 2 12 and 4 12.
In some rare cases i will grudgingly grant that a roof with a shallow pitch looks good.
Finding the right products for your low slope roof.
For example wood and slate shingles might work for roofs steeper than the top recommendation of 12 12 but you should not install them below the 4 12 lower range.
Roof pitch basics a 2 12 roof slope means your roof has 2 inches of vertical drop for every 12 inches of horizontal distance.
Most roof materials have a recommended pitch range for which they are most appropriate.
More commonly roll on membranes such that use heat to bond seams together is used as a roofing material.
Just like any other roofing system low slope roof designs will have several effects on the overall construction of the building including the interior volume the style and design of the house the drainage system and the material used for covering.
Sometimes seen on square buildings a tented or pyramidal roof feature four slopes rising to a peak.
A common choice for flat roofing material is epdm rubber as it is highly durable waterproof and can be made from recycled materials.
Since a roof with a minimal pitch requires less material and less labor it is cheaper than a steep roof.
Larger flat roofed applications low slope such as residential condominium complexes row homes and town houses and smaller applications such as residential porch and garage transitions from the main home where the slope of the roof changes dramatically.