Steep Slope Roofing · Repair & New Roofs
How to Choose an Expert in Steep Slope Roofs for Commercial Buildings
For over 25 years, Pacific Roofing Systems has proven to be Orange County’s premier steep slope roofing company and is often considered the best roofer for steep slope roofs throughout Southern California. Contact us for the highest quality roofing contractor you can trust to complete your project with great care and expertise.
Roof slope is essential and is considered the primary factor in Orange County roof design. The slope of a roof affects the interior volume of a building, the drainage, the style, and the material used for covering. For example, if you notice water collecting on the roof, the problem is probably related to the slope. The slope of a roof is often referred to as the pitch.
The slope, or pitch of the roof, is determined by the vertical rise in inches for every horizontal twelve-inch (12″) length (run). A roof with x rise/12 run slope means that for every 12 inches horizontally (run), it rises x inches.
Sometimes steep slope roofing is referred to as residential roofing because most single-family homes in Orange County are constructed with some pitch or slope to the roof. Just as steep slope roofing is often referred to as residential roofing, low slope roofing is often synonymous with commercial roofing. Again, this is because, predominantly, commercial buildings have flat roof designs. Of course, this is not universal, as many residential homes have flat, territorial, or southwest-style roofs, and plenty of commercial building sport grand steep sloping roofs.
Steep slope roofing products are generally more visually appealing because they are critical aesthetic components for residential construction, where the roof can consist of 40% of the exterior visual appearance of a home. Steep slope roofing also generally lasts longer than low slope roofing because the systems shed water much more efficiently and are typically subject to less direct U/V activity.
Steep Slope Roofing Services
From simple dimensional asphalt shingles to high-end custom asphalt, tile, and slate, Pacific Roofing Systems has the specialty-trained installers to make your next steep slope commercial job a success no matter the roofing material.
From budget, to design, to installation, we specialize in tackling challenging roof designs and systems with our experienced staff. With years of experience in super insulated and cold roof systems, we can help you fit any design to the specifications of your commercial building and assist with everything from budgeting to design to installation.
If you’ve just acquired a new building and just need your roof inspected by a dependable contractor, Pacific Roofing Systems can help with that too.
Best Roofing Materials for Steep Slope
Materials suitable for steep slope roofs include asphalt roll roofing and asphalt shingles, concrete and clay tiles, wood shakes, slate, and metal roofs. Additionally, modified bituminous roofs, and specific adhered single-ply membranes can be used in some steep slope roof applications.
- Typically refers to roofing materials suitable for roofs with slopes of 3:12 or greater.
- The degree of slope will affect the materials used for covering the roof and the effort involved.
- Steeper roof pitches will likely require staging to ensure the crew’s safety and that materials don’t slide during construction.
Steep Slope roofs are available in a variety of coverings, including:
- Asphalt composition roll
- Fiberglass 3-tab shingle
- Fiberglass laminate (architectural) shingle
- Specialty asphalt shingles
- Wood shakes and shingles
- Clay and concrete tile
- Slate
Steep-slope vs Low-slope Roofing
Generally, roofing types and roofing products are divided into two primary categories:
- steep slope roofing
- low slope roofing.
In general terms, low-slope commercial roofs are those below 2:12 or 3:12, while steep-slope roofing consists of roof pitches above either 2:12 or 3:12 and higher. This means that for every 12 horizontal inches, the steep-slope rise is three vertical inches or greater. However, if we were to classify roofing slopes more specifically, the list below contains the common roof slopes and the terms which classify them.
Flat Roof: 2:12
Low Slope: 2:12-4:12
Conventional Slope Roof: 4:12-9:12
Higher Slopes: 9:12 – 20:12
Steep Slope: 21:12 and higher
Benefits of Steep Slope Roofs
One of the main advantages of a steep slope or pitched roof has to do with gravity. As a rule, the greater the roof slope, the easier it is for rain and debris to flow off of your roof and then get channeled away from your building.
Better flow of water
Water that falls onto a pitched roof has nowhere to go but downhill – off of your roof and into your gutters. Because water can’t collect on a steep roof, your roof also stays drier over time. This helps to prevent mold and mildew development, which can help lengthen your roof’s lifespan.
Extra storage space
The greater the roof slope, the more attic space you’ll have built-in to your roof as a result. Depending upon the pitch specifics, you can even opt to insulate and finish your attic as additional living or storage space.
No matter what pitch of roof you currently have or are looking for with your building, and no matter which roofing material you prefer for residential or commercial applications, Pacific Roofing Systems is the name you can trust for roofing solutions in Orange County, California. Whether you’re trying to find the right commercial roofing solution for a new building or replacing an old commercial roofing system, contact Pacific Roofing Systems and talk to one of our specialists about steep slope roofing.
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