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Roof trusses

Roof pitch

Roof pitch is the angle of the roof slope, given in degrees in most of Europe or as rise over run (e.g. 6/12) in North America.

Also known as roof pitch, roof slope, pitch angle, roof angle, degree of pitch

The pitch decides how quickly water and snow run off, which roof coverings can be used, how much room there is under the roof, and which truss types are practical. Tiles need a steeper roof than sheet metal or membranes, for example.

As a rule of thumb, W (fink) trusses are used for low to medium pitches, roughly 14–30° on Swedish houses, while steeper roofs of about 27–50° often use frame (A-) trusses with a room in the roof.

Related terms
Truss typesRoof trusses come in many shapes, such as fink, mono, attic, scissor and girder trusses, each suited to a different roof form, span or use of the roof space. Top chordThe top chord is the upper, usually sloping member of a truss that forms the roof slope and carries the roof covering. Duo-pitch roofA duo-pitch (gable) roof has two slopes meeting at a central ridge, with a gable wall at each end.
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