How Your Roof Pitch Affects the Cost of Your New Roof

As a homeowner, you need to be aware that different kinds of roof structures vary in installation costs. The reason behind this, however, is not just the size of the home’s roof, but also its slope or pitch. 

Roof Pitches Defined

Depending on the slope of your roof, roofers may deem it as “walkable” if it’s not too steep to safely walk on. This usually applies to roofs with a pitch of 8/12 or less, which are sometimes referred to as “low-slope” roofs. Meanwhile, roofs that have a steep pitch ranging from 3/12 to 20/12 or more are considered steep-sloped roofs, which usually mean a higher price estimate for a roof replacement. 

How Your Roof Pitch Can Affect Its Price

The steeper the slope on a roof, the more shingles and other roofing materials it will take to cover it. For instance, asphalt shingles may cost you double on a 12/12 compared with a 4/12 roof, which is an important consideration if you’re building a new home. When it comes to installing the shingles, the price quotes will be higher if your roof is steep and isn’t considered as walkable. It may vary among home exterior remodeling companies, but it will be right about 8/12 in general.

Why Is It More Expensive for Steeper Slopes?

There are several major reasons behind this. Firstly, if the roof has a steeper slope in general, then more caution has to be used to ensure safety for the contractors installing the roof. This means the job will go slower, and roofers give their estimates based on how long it may take to finish.

If the roof safety equipment such as rigging or scaffolding must be used, then the written quotes you get will reflect that. Such equipment is expensive to own or rent, and their price is passed along to the customer. 

Installing shingles on a steep-pitched roof will also require different techniques. The installer may often need to use more nails per shingle or even apply roofing cement on each shingle to keep the warranty intact. Either one will lead to an increase in both time and roofing materials, which also demands a higher price estimate.

If you’re looking for an excellent roofing and siding replacement contractor, hire Triangle Home Exteriors to get the job done professionally. Call us at (919) 615-1101 or just fill out our convenient contact form to get started. We serve Durham and nearby NC areas. Talk to us today!