Minimum Slope For Terracotta Tile Roofs To Shed Snow

People have been killed by snow avalanches sliding off roofs during big snow winters.

Minimum slope for terracotta tile roofs to shed snow.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having a steep pitch versus a shallow or low pitch the most obvious of which is the roof s ability to shed or withstand heavy snow rain or wind. A roof protects a house and porch from snow and rain as well as the heat of the sun. Slopes greater than 6 12 will tend to shed snow regardless of the texture of the material on them so roof slopes should be configured to avoid shedding anywhere people might be walking or exiting. Such roofs are found in norway northern europe and in the northern u s.

Other tile roof systems rely on the tile design and installation to shed water effectively using the underlayment as a surface padding as leak protection during installation. It is critical that a designer specify enough snow retention devices based on the slope and snow load. Both are located in southern new england not serious snow country for a mainer like myself but problems developed nonetheless. But without designing the snow retention based on accurate testing you could be wishing you had that steep slope and metal roof which was always intended to shed snow.

A high pitched roof shows the greatest surface to the street and is associated with traditional structures. Such roofs are common in the south and southwestern u s. Adding a covered porch adds exterior space to a house and providing a. Pitch the pitch also known as slope or grade is the way in which the roof angles from the horizontal toward its highest point.

Tile roofs are a staple of southwest architecture. The higher the roof pitch the more often the snow slides off. Such as in minnesota. The span for both roofs was 200 feet or more.

Low slope standing seam roofs presently we are consulting on a couple of metal roofs where the architect designed a slope of 1 4 inch per foot. Minimum roof pitch for a covered porch. Basically the steeper the pitch the better it can shed snow and rain.