One thing that confuses many people when it comes to roofing repairs or installations is the varied range of costs and the different factors that can influence how much contractors will charge. If you’ve just purchased your first home, or you’re thinking about hiring a professional contractor to inspect your roof or make repairs, then you’re likely filled with questions about what exactly determines the amount a company will quote you for a job.
At Griffith Roofing, our team of professional contractors has spent years helping home and business owners throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area with a wide variety of roofing related concerns. To help people in the DFW Metroplex get a better idea of one of the most basic factors that can influence the cost of any roofing system project, we decided to spend some time today to go over roof slopes. As a key consideration that is factored into the cost of any repair or installation project, the slope of your roof can have a big influence on the total projected estimate.
Understanding What Roof Slope Is, Exactly
Your roof’s slope, otherwise known as the pitch, is a way of talking about how steep it is. Roofing contractors use a basic formula to determine how much height a roof gains over the span of a horizontal measurement, typically one foot. In most cases, a roof slope will be presented as a fraction such as 4/12 or 6/12. While the numbers may seem confusing at first, they are actually very straightforward.
The first number is a representation of the inches that a roof rises vertically. The second number in the set is a measure of the horizontal distance covered during this rise. For example, if a roof is 3/12, then that means it rises 3 inches vertically over 12 inches horizontally. In this case, the roof would rise 3 inches vertically for every foot from the edge of the gutters all the way to the peak.
Why are Roof Slopes so Varied?
Not every home is built the same way, and seeing different slopes among various roofs in a neighborhood is common, even here in North Texas. In some cases, it can be a design choice, or part of an overall architectural style, at other times, it can be down on purpose for functional reasons. The steep your roof is, the easier it will be for rain, snow, or even debris to slide off. In general, roofs in the southern states tend to be flatter than in the northern parts of the country because there is less snow to deal with each year.
So Why do Projects on Steep Roofs Cost More?
Whether you’re thinking about building a new home or looking to have work done on your existing roof, it’s important to keep in mind that the slope of your roof will directly impact the cost of a project. The main reason for this is that roofs with a steep slope are much harder to work on than roofs that are relatively shallow. A steep roof is a challenge to walk on, and as the slope increases, the amount of time required to finish a project also increases.
If your roofing contractor needs additional time and special equipment to safely traverse your roof because of how steep it is, then the total cost of the project goes up based on that extra time expense. Because roofing worked is billed by the hour, a steep slope that slows down work translates into higher overall costs for any project. Additional equipment might also be needed depending on how steep your roof is, and the time and effort needed to set up things like scaffolds or rigging harnesses will be reflected in the overall costs.
The Takeaway?
When it comes to roofing-related projects involving steep slopes, it is always best to work with a team that has proper licensing and the professional training and expertise to get the job done properly. While the overall cost of a project will increase when dealing with steep roof slopes, it is always best to trust a team with experience because of the difficulty and safety concerns that come with the territory.
At Griffith Roofing, our team is proud to be one of the leading names in the roofing industry throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area, and we’re always ready to work on any kind of roofing system. To find out more about our services, or to schedule an inspection to have your roofing, be sure to reach out to us today!
