Pitch and Purpose Shape Your Roof

Your roof provides your house with valuable functions. Some of those functions are obvious. Other purposes are less obvious but equally important. Here are some of the ways the pitch and purpose shape your roof.

Shade protection

Here in south Texas, our sun beats down on our homes in ways that most places never experience. The roof, eaves, and accompanying roof ventilation are the only things standing between us and the ruthless sun rays. 

Rain diversion

Another purpose of roofing is to divert rain off of and away from the house. The pitch of the roof is what keeps the water rolling off and away from the home. The eaves keep the rain away from the walls, as well. 

But the protection of our homes and possessions aren’t the only functions of a roof.

Shape of house

The pitch and shape of the roof determine the general silhouette of the structure. Think about it: when you draw the general outline of a home, the roof is what determines what the house looks like from afar. The homeowner who wants an elaborate house design can use other details to make the home stand out but stick to a simple roof.

Pitch

When choosing a roof, the shape may be partially determined by pitch. Generally speaking, the lower the pitch, the fewer materials will be required, which will lower the cost of the roof.  

Pitch is partially determined by climate. Imagine having a flat roof during a snowstorm! While a flat roof is possible in our sunny heat and close-to-average precipitation, many Texas roofs are pitched to drive off rain. When water pools on a flat roof, it causes damage and creates leaks. For this reason, many builders favor a roof which has some pitch to it. 

The pitch of a roof can be determined by measuring how many inches in rises (the vertical) for every 12 inches of horizontal space. The resulting measurement is written as the rise number:12 (for twelve inches). It is written as 3:12 or 5:12 or whatever the pitch happens to be.

Additions

When adding an addition to an existing home, the roof is the most critical element because it has to blend with the rest of the structure. An addition with a roof that is harmonious with the rest of the structure will look elegant and natural. Knowing the pitch of the roof is particularly helpful for the construction of an addition or if the homeowner wants to build a shed that will blend seamlessly into the home’s profile.

We hope this provides some clarity about the purpose and pitch and how they work in tandem. If you need a new roof, a roof repair, ventilation, or a skylight, we would love to hear from you.

Yuras Roofing Company is a family-owned and operated business for commercial and residential roofing in San Antonio. We install all types of composition and laminated shingles, metal roofing, TPO, and more. Gutters, ventilation, and insulation are also available. Call us today at (210) 592-4802.