Why Do Steeper Roofs Last Longer

All that space under a steep roof pitch is good for more than just air.

Why do steeper roofs last longer.

Yes the steeper the roof the longer the roofing material will last. From a professional standpoint a steep roof is also a lot easier to check for any warning signs without having to pull out the ladder. And during the hottest part of the year when the sun is higher overhead a steeper roof will absorb less solar radiation than a flatter roof. First a very steep roof typically recognized as anything that s more than 6 12 pitch is generally considered not walkable and requires greater staging safety and labor to complete the roof properly.

The pitch of a roof has an impact on its lifespan. A steep roof encourages the development of larger attic spaces that are great for seasonal or long term storage. With proper installation you can expect a 25 to 40 years lifespan from a ribbed metal roof with exposed fasteners. Steep roofs react better to inclement weather.

The roof s pitch is an important factor in determining roof cost for two reasons. A ribbed metal panel roofing system featuring concealed fasteners will offer a longer lifespan ranging from 30 to 50 years depending on the environment. The first number in the pitch relates to the rise of the roof in inches. Ribbed panels can be a good option for a steeper gable style roof.

Clay tile roofs can last 50 years or longer. If you think of basic geometry a flat roof receives a much bigger hit to inclement weather versus a pitched roof. Because water runs off the roof more easily the roof covering will dry faster. The second number is the run of the roof in inches.

There are limits however since some materials will. There are a lot of determining factors such as environmental and what underlayment is used. Those with a steeper pitch are considered steep sloped roofs. However very shallow roofs can be considered pitched as well.

Most residential roofs range from 3 12 to 20 12 or steeper. Steep pitch roofs last longer. However a number of other variables will influence the life expectancy of a roof more significantly than the pitch. Metal roofs such as aluminum or steel shingles can last for 50 years and often longer while copper and zinc roofs can often last well over 100 years.

This means that a typical metal roof will last about 3 7 times longer than a typical asphalt shingles roof which usually needs to replaced every 12 17 years. These roofs are sometimes referred to as low slope roofs.