#28 – Minimum Roof Pitch with Metal Roofing
March 31, 2017 | Filed under: Metal Roofing 101 Series, Roofing Help Videos, Roofing Installation
Most residential metal roofs require at least a 3:12 roof pitch and have no maximum roof pitch. That means there is at least 3” of vertical rise to the roof slope for every 12” it goes back horizontally. That is a 14 degree angle. Mechanically seamed standing seam metal roofs, commonly used on large warehouses and the like, can be used on much lower roof pitches. Some homes may benefit most from two types of metal roofing on different roof planes to accommodate different pitches on the roof. Under no circumstances should a roofing product ever be installed at a pitch lower than that recommended by its manufacturer.
Todd Miller has spent his entire career in the metal building products manufacturing industry. He is president of Isaiah Industries, an organization recognized as one of the world’s leading metal roofing manufacturers. Todd is currently Vice President of the MRA (Metal Roofing Association) and a Past Chair of MCA (Metal Construction Association). Through his website, he strives to raise the bar on standards and practices to provide property owners with the best possible products for successful roofing projects.
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Thanks Todd. I’ve been scanning your sight for what your company recommends for standing seam flat metal panels and I cannot seem to see it anywhere. What does your company require as a minimum roof slope for the standing seam interlocking flat steel panels that your company sells? Personally, I am wanting a flat, single slope roof that has a slope of just over 1 inch per foot. Is this acceptable for the Colorado mountains at an elevation of about 8800 feet where the downward slope faces north? I can understand that snow may not slide off and the trusses and structure must be designed to withstand additional snow loads due to standing snow but for the metal roof itself, would you as a manufacturer of this flat metal roofing material condone a 1/12 slope for this roof? Thanks Walt in Colorado
Thanks Walt. We require a 2:12 pitch for our standing seam products. In a few rare special occasions, we might approve down to 1.5:12.
For a 1:12 pitch roof, the only metal product I recommend is a mechanically seamed standing seam. For this sort of system, the panels are secured to the roof using hidden clips and then a seaming machine is used to crimp the seams closed so they will be water tight.
Mechanically seamed products are available from most larger metal roofing specialists.
have a 32 ft roof my pitch is 36 inches high. can i put a metal roof on my house. northwood nh
John, it sounds like your roof has approximately a 1:12 pitch or slightly more unless I am misunderstanding things. For anything less than 2:12, you really need a mechanically seamed standing seam roof.
I hope this helps. Please contact me anytime.