How To Figure Out Roof Pitch With Speed Square

Place the pivot point against the shingles.

How to figure out roof pitch with speed square.

In the united states a run of 12 inches 1 foot is used and pitch is measured as the rise of the roof over 12 inches. To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. As aforementioned there is no standard pitch of a roof. Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch.

Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. A 12 12 pitch roof has a pitch angle of 45. Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts. To accurately calculate the area of your roof you must first determine its slope or pitch.

A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator. Find the inverse tangent of the pitch to find the angle in degrees. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square.

The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. Thus a moderate 6 in 12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches it runs. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. Marvel at your mathematical.

Roof pitch is the measurement of a roof s vertical rise divided by its horizontal run. Express roof pitch as the ratio of the amount of the vertical rise of a roof or rise over the corresponding horizontal distance or run you write the pitch assuming a run of 12 inches thus the ratio would describe how much a roof rises for each foot of the run. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof.

It is often compared to slope but is not exactly the same.