Figure Out Pitch Of Roof Speed Square

The roof pitch calculator is a convenient online tool you can use to quickly assess the pitch of your roof to determine the length of rafters you need.

Figure out pitch of roof speed square. A roof s pitch is determined by how much it rises vertically for every foot it runs horizontally. To accurately calculate the area of your roof you must first determine its slope or pitch. To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square.

Leah s recommended tools for beginner diy ers. After finding out your roof pitch angles you can use the calculator to perform the calculations for you instead of doing them manually. 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. A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof.

Thus a moderate 6 in 12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches it runs. Before miter saws and even since professional carpenters used speed squares as a quick saw guide for cutting 45 and 90 degree angles. A 12 12 pitch roof has a pitch angle of 45. I hear read all too often this misuse and usually ignore it.

A 12 in 12 pitch is a. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. To calculate the size of the roof you need to measure the size of the roof as if it were flat account for roof pitch calculate square footage and finally determine how many squares of material are required for the roof the calculator above can handle all of this simply enter the length width and pitch and it will determine the size of the roof in squares. Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch.

Leah answers a viewer s question about how to calculate the pitch of a roof on a structure. Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator. It is often compared to slope but is not exactly the same. If a magazine such as finehomebuilding is going to put out an article to teach a topic it should use the proper words and definitions.

Marvel at your mathematical. 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. 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. Photo 2 shows how to use the speed square to mark a 33 1 2 degree angle the same as you would need on a rafter tail for a roof with an 8 12 pitch.