Minimum Slope For Snow Slide On Metal Roof

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

Minimum slope for snow slide on metal roof.

The minimum roof slope allowed by code for any type of roof is in 12 applicable only to coal tar pitch roof systems. 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. Profile in the context of metal roofing means the shape that the sheet of metal is bent into to form the panels. The minimum pitch for metal roof shingles and lapped non soldered panels is 3 12.

With regards to metal roofing the profile refers to the shape adopted by the metal sheets when they are bent to form the panels. The minimum roof slope for metal roofs is dependent upon the roof profile. The slope that works best seems to be 5 12. Metal roofing systems have a good track record of performance in harsh winter environments as long as they are properly designed.

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. A minimum slope of 1 inch per foot is recommended in snow country. This allows the snow to stay on while venting the roof system. 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.

For the most part the minimum pitch for metal roof installations depends on what kind of material you are installing and the method in which the material is being fastened. To get the minimum pitch for a metal roof the vertical rise per foot is divided by the horizontal slope. That is a 14 degree angle. There are some opinions that standing seam metal roof minimum slope is 12 but it increases the possibility of leaking on the few first days of snow arrival.

The following table provides the minimum required allowable roof slope for each type of roofing material mentioned in the code. The key factors are usually snow loading requirements adequate slope and the use of snow guards when needed.