Whether you’re redesigning the roof on your Traverse City, MI home or simply maintaining it, its slope is an important consideration. Also known as a roof’s pitch, roof slope represents the amount of vertical rise that exists for every 12 inches of horizontal surface area. Adequate roof slopes promote efficient runoff. They also prevent problems like pooling, sagging, and premature roof failure.
The Best Roof Types for Michigan’s Climate
Michigan’s climate is quite capricious. Residents can expect dry heat, heavy snowfall, strong winds, and lots of rain throughout the year. In some areas, elements of all four seasons can exist within a single day. For this and other reasons, 99% of homes in the region have sloped roofs rather than flat roofing, and many homeowners opt for asphalt shingles or architectural shingles rather than wood shake, tile, or clay. Asphalt shingles offer a seamless blend of durability and affordability. They wear well in the local climate and they’re perfect for nearly all code-compliant roof slopes.
Metal roofing takes a close second to asphalt shingle roofing in Traverse City. It’s equally durable and aesthetically beautiful. It’s also lightweight and flexible enough to accommodate a very broad range of design goals.
Why Slope Matters
The greater a roof’s slope, the easier it is for water to make its way into gutters and downspouts and away from building foundations. With flat roofs, heavy precipitation and freezing temperatures can lead to “ponding” or pools of stagnant water, freezing, ice damming, and eventual roof leaks.
Slope also prevents the development of dangerously heavy snow and ice loads. Traverse City’s close proximity to Lake Michigan prevents temperature extremes. However, this location still sees an average annual snowfall of 145 inches. With flat roofs, homeowners run the risk of cave-ins and collapse when homes don’t have a reliable way to shed excess weight.
Michigan’s Building Code and Flat Roofs
There’s no such thing as a truly flat roof. To comply with local building codes, all roofs must have a rise over run or slope of at least 2 inches per every 12 horizontal inches. If your home’s roof or the roof on any secondary building structure on your property is deemed flat, it still has a pitch of at least 2 inches. This is often subtle enough to appear flat from various vantage points while remaining sufficient for promoting adequate drainage.
“Flat” roofs are inexpensive and easy to maintain. Moreover, if they’re installed correctly and comprised of the right materials, they may hold up well under Michigan weather year-round. With a minimum slope of 2 inches, many roofers advise using PVC membrane rather than metal or any other roofing material.
Minimum Pitch and Your Roof’s Design
According to the Michigan building code, the minimum roof pitch is 2/12, but the best roof pitch for residential dwellings in Traverse City is actually 4/12 or greater. With a minimum rise of 4 inches per every 12 inches of horizontal space, roofs have a far lower likelihood of taking on and retaining massive amounts of snow or pooling water. Choosing 4/12 or greater for your roof’s pitch is also best if you intend to use asphalt shingles rather than metal or PVC membrane roofing.
Asphalt shingles are lightweight, adhesive, and capable of adhering to steeply sloped roofs. However, they don’t fare well on flat or nearly flat surfaces. These shingles have a protective layer of pebble-like granules that provide UV ray protection and route runoff toward gutters and downspouts. When installed in areas that are prone to pooling water and heavy snow loads, asphalt shingles can lose their granules early on and rapidly deteriorate.
Protecting Vulnerable Roofing Areas
A sufficient roof slope will also protect the most vulnerable areas of your entire roofing system. These include areas with protrusions like chimneys, exhaust vents, and skylights, as well as your roof’s valleys or areas where two sections of roofing intersect. Having water pool in these spaces can lead to indoor leaks and problems with protruding elements themselves. It can also rapidly undermine the overall integrity of your roof’s watertight, multi-layer barrier.
We help residents of Traverse City, MI protect their homes with outstanding roofing services. We offer top-notch roof inspection, repair, and replacement services. We also provide storm damage repairs and emergency roof tarping services. For help determining your home’s ideal roof pitch and roofing materials, contact F S Roofing LLC name today.
