The Advantages of a Steep Roof Pitch
A traditional steep roof pitch gives the home the appearance of a bygone era. A roof that sports a steep slope provides the home with ample room for an attic, which helps to increase the home's storage space. An attic also provides the home with superior, energy-efficient ventilation.
A home with a steep roof and attic space rarely suffers from moisture problems, and the roof will last longer than other roof types.
Snow Load
Snow can accumulate on a home with a flat or moderately-sloped roof. Over time, the house will suffer structural damage from carrying the heavy snow load season after season. The weight from an excessively heavy snowfall can make the entire roof collapse. As the snow falls, it will slide off the roof of a home with a steep roof. It will be unable to accumulate excessively on the steep slope and will fall to the ground.
Water
Steep roofs have the ability to effectively shed water from rain. The roof will dry out quickly, which helps increase its lifespan. The water draining quickly away from the roof's surface lowers the risk of mold and mildew building up. Debris such as leaves and twigs will slide easily off a steep roof. The roof will not suffer staining from pooled water or rotting foliage debris because the rain will stream readily away from the roof's surface.
Attics
The severity of the roof's slope helps create ample attic space to make an additional room for storage or some other activity. A roof with a 12/12 roof pitch usually offers adequate room to create additional home living space such as a bedroom. A roof slope must rise vertically 12 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal roof run to make a 12/12 roof pitch. Steep roofs often have windows installed in the surface to provide natural light to the attic area. An attic area also offers the homeowner an additional area to install insulation and prevent heat loss.
Additional Benefits
The space provided by a steep roof helps create ventilation, which keeps the roofing beams and material dry to prevent rot. A steep roof has adequate room for vents. Vents placed in the soffits and eaves increase the airflow beneath the roof, which helps to keep the home's insulation dry to prevent it from compacting. A steep roof provides long-term benefits to the home's structure. Over a lifetime, a steeply pitched roof requires remarkably little maintenance or care.
References
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Writer Bio
Based in Oregon, Kimberly Sharpe has been a writer since 2006. She writes for numerous online publications. Her writing has a strong focus on home improvement, gardening, parenting, pets and travel. She has traveled extensively to such places as India and Sri Lanka to widen and enhance her writing and knowledge base.
Photo Credits
- Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
- Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
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