Through the four seasons, most Midwestern states experience volatile weather due to the drastic climate throughout the year. Michigan’s harsh weather conditions in particular can be rough on roofs. Roof shingles are exposed to many damaging conditions including rain, sleet, snow, and harsh winds. As such, most Michigan homes have sloped roofs with asphalt shingles to protect against moisture damage. This is what is often referred to as a Michigan-style roof.
Roof Pitch of Shingle Roof
Depending on the climate, different roof types are recommended. Due to the frequent rain and moist weather conditions, roofs in Michigan can experience water damage. This is when stagnant water collects in one area of the roof and weakens either the shingles or the roof’s foundation underneath. To prevent this, roofs are constructed with a roof pitch.
Roof pitch describes the angle or slope of a roof. The steepness can help protect your roof by optimizing its effectiveness against the weather. In Michigan, the minimum pitch for a shingle roof is 2/12. You can have a gentle slope that still allows water to fall off the roof instead of leaking through the shingles or weakening the frame. The angle between 2/12 and 4/12 will allow rainwater and snow to run off the roof into the gutters. This protects the structure from any damage inflicted by the climate. As long as you go over the minimum pitch for a shingle roof, you should have nothing to worry about.
Additionally, the roof pitch determines how much attic space you will have for storage. If you have a high roof pitch, you will have more available space. High pitches can allow people to enter the attic or make it a viable living space. Meanwhile. low pitches tend to minimize the space. Even with a low pitch, you could have enough space to store items. If attic space is important to you, you’ll want to consider building a more sloped roof to maximize the area.
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