pitch of a roof

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i am tring to figure out a good pitch for a glass room add on. the room will be built on a slab that is now a patio and will conect to the house. the height of the exsisting roof from the ground to the rain spouts is8 ft.11" the slab runs out from the house 8'7.5". when i run a string line from the exsisting roof w/ a slight pitch i get a height of 6'11" how do i determin if that pitch has enough fall? the new roof will have a modern shingle w/4 4x4's as supports and maybe a skylight, the base will be the slab w/ a block wall 2 course high covered w/ stone. there will be a ledge then windows all around framed in w/2x2's. the room faces south so iam not to worried about a lot of snow standing on it or wind.i cant figure out the fall and pitch. everything i am useing came from a house that was being taken down a total of 20 windows 4 differnt sizes 1 door w/ a screen door and 1 diamond shaped window, the stone is an old foundation and the 4x4's are from a barn.the only thing i need to buy is the block and 2x2's. this is my challenge w/ my hubby i got all the stuff now i need to build it. me and my big mouth!

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), September 01, 2000

Answers

Most shingles require a 3:12 pitch (3" of fall every foot) some can be pushed to 2:12, but I wouldn't recommend it. You may also need to think about snow being able to slide off. The steeper the roof, the less likely any skylight will leak too.

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), September 01, 2000.

Renee, I definitely wouldn't use any less fall than this. With your slab extending 8'-7 1/2", your roof addition would be about 7'-7" long assuming a 15" overhang on your existing roof. If your overhang is longer your pitch will be higher. Dropping 24" in 91" gives you a pitch of 3.17:12

Our local codes require minimum 4:12 pitch for homes, but I am not sure about sun rooms. I do know that you will begin to have problems with leaves and pine straw accumulating on roofs with a pitch of 2:12 or 3:12. If you have lots of trees over your house, you will want to consider this.

-- Jim (catchthesun@yahoo.com), September 01, 2000.


I want to know where you get the time or the energy ? 4 babies at home and still you have other projects ! Your making me feel guilty .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), September 01, 2000.

patty this is a selfish prdject! i hate winters are here and i need sun and room w/ the kids, i got all the"stuff" so i am going to play a large part in putting it all together. hubby is a contractor so waiting for him to start could be alonggggg time. i also have a bet going w/ him that i can do all the 1 man jobs. what i get myself into!

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), September 02, 2000.

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