Both the asphalt shingles and metal roofs can be installed on a low slope lean to shed roof if the proper product is used and it is installed properly.
Minimum lean to roof pitch.
Simply put pitch is expressed as rise over run just as the grade is simply this fraction expressed as a percentage.
Consider different roof designs when building a shed but understand that pitch is pitch whether you have a 3 12 gable roof or lean to roof the physics of moisture penetration won t change even though the style is different.
The minimum roof pitch is also subject to the standards set forth by the various building codes used in the respective regions.
Importance of a roof pitch.
The chief reason for having a roof pitch is to redirect water and snow away from the roof and avoid any percolation that might result from stagnation of water on the roof.
There are advantages and disadvantages to having a steep pitch versus a shallow or low pitch.
If you are building a new roof however consider the climate to determine the correct pitch and proper materials.
Regular asphalt shingles that are rated for 4 in 12 roof slopes can be installed on lower slope roofs by simply installing a waterproof membrane under them.
The minimum pitch for a roof is 1 4 12 which translates to 1 4 inch rise to 12 inches of run.
Solutions for lean to sheds.
The safest way to determine the pitch of an existing roof is to measure from inside your attic using a level tape measure and pencil.
In roofing it is expressed in inches of vertical rise over inches of horizontal run.
The minimum slope of a roof depends on the roof s profile.
Express the slope of a metal roof by a ratio which indicates the pitch of the roof.
However you can only use this pitch with built up roofing or specialized synthetic roofing.
You need to consider the slope requirements of each panel to determine this minimum slope.
A 4 12 pitch being 4 inches of vertical rise over one foot or 12 inches of horizontal run.