Whether it’s a residential or a commercial roof replacement that you’re tackling, the pitch of the roof is one of the most significant factors to take into account. For starters, a low-pitched roof — also known as a low-slope or a “walkable” roof — is hit by wind and water in a different way when compared to a roof with a higher slope. Another difference is the cost.
But how does the pitch affect the cost of your roofing system?
More Material
A steeper system means a larger area to cover. It’s simply a bigger roof. For example, if you hire a professional for residential roof installation services, you can expect them to use more shingles if your roof is not walkable. Your roof will require more shingles, nails, flashings, and everything else, which will add to the overall cost.
More Time
As your roofer is likely to install more materials when working on a high-sloped roof than they would on a walkable roof, that adds to the time they have to be at your property. It’s not just the bigger number of materials, but it’s also the difficulty of working on a roof you can’t walk on.
Higher Labor Costs
Of course, if your roofer has to be there longer, and if they have to be extra careful due to the steep slope, that is likely to cost you more when you pay for the labor. The contractor will probably use more personnel, who will need more equipment to keep them safe. The personnel will have a more difficult time maneuvering on the steep slope too. In many cases, a contractor will send the most experienced high-slope roofers, so the personnel will probably cost more.
Maintenance
A high-pitched roof may also cost you more in terms of maintenance. There’s a lot of roof to cover, plenty of materials. Then there’s the question of hiring only a professional to do the job because it’s not safe for an inexperienced homeowner to be walking all around the roof. Then again, even if you had a low-sloped roof, you should always call a pro for inspection and residential roof repair.
A high-pitched roof may also need more protection for the edges, valleys, and lower parts of the roof because water slides down faster and heavier.
These factors make a high-sloped roof a bit more expensive than a low-pitched one. To learn more about it, get in touch with Creative Construction Group. We are licensed residential and commercial roof professionals. Set an appointment here. You may also call us today in Crystal Lake: (815) 459-1750, Morton: (309) 363-9668, Wisconsin: (608) 886-8183. We work with homeowners in Rockford, IL, and in other areas.
