Commercial roofs fall into two general categories.
Low slope roofs vs steep slope pitch.
Slopes around 6 12 are the most common while anything below 4 12 is typically considered a low pitch.
Water sheds off these roofs quickly due to the steepness which means there is a decreased chance of water damage and leakage.
Steep slope roofs these roofs have more than a 3 12 slope ratio meaning that for every 12 inches the roof rises more than three inches.
In either case find a professional roofing contractor experienced with low slope roofs and these specific products.
A low slope roof can also help improve energy efficiency in a home since its design leaves less space between the roof and the ceiling to heat or cool.
Roof repair is also easier to carry out because of the relatively flat surface.
Weatherproofing strength reinforcement and surfacing.
However in general terms low slope roofs commercial roofs are those below 2 12 or 3 12 while steep slope roofing would consists of roof pitches above either 2 12 or 3 12 and higher.
As in all construction work paying attention to the little details can make all the difference between a long lasting trouble free project and one that results in callbacks and early failure never a good option with a new england roof.
Before we jump into the differences between low slope and steep slope roofs let s take a look at some similarities.
Under low slope roofing you have built up roof membranes bur single ply roofing systems and modified bitumen membranes.
A steep pitch has several advantages.
Roof slope is a very important aspect and it is considered the primary factor in roof design.
In sum low slope roofs are ideal for large commercial buildings due to the extra space they provide.
Many homes in the u s.
Steep slope roofs on the other hand are aesthetically classic and require little maintenance making them more ideal for smaller structures such as homes.
The term is usually applied to roofs with a pitch of 8 12 or less.
While the cost of the materials and labor to reroof a steep slope roof is more expensive the longevity is incomparable to that of a low slope roof.
Those with a steeper pitch are considered steep sloped roofs.
With 129 years of experience yes since 1886 we ve been installing fabricating repairing replacing and maintaining all types of roofing systems including low slope and steep slope roofs.
Roof systems have two categories.
This roof type is easier to inspect since it has no steep surfaces.
On the other hand many commercial buildings have a flat roof which associates low slope to commercial roofing.
These roofs are sometimes referred to as low slope roofs.
These roofing systems are angled at 14 or lower and typically feature three elements.
Many residential rooftops are designed for steeper pitches because they look elegant and pleasing to the eye.
Have a steep slope which is why there are times when a steep slope roof is synonymous to residential roofing.
The low down on low slope roofs.