Measuring Roof Pitch With Speed Square

Although there s isn t any standard pitch of a roof used on all kinds of sloped roofs you can determine the range of pitches by using a roof angle calculator and by considering factors like the local climate and roofing materials.

Measuring roof pitch with speed square.

The pitch of the roof is a ratio. Roof pitch is the measurement of a roof s vertical rise divided by its horizontal run. It is often compared to slope but is not exactly the same. Holding the level and speed square level locate the measurement on the speed square where it meets the bottom edge of the rafter to find the angle of the roof in degrees.

This is a way of measuring the degree of steepness of the roof. Roof pitch refers to the measurement of the slope of a roof and you express this as a ratio. Roof pitch or slope is a measure of vertical rise to horizontal run expressed in inches per foot. To calculate the size of the roof you need to measure the size of the roof as if it were flat account for roof pitch calculate square footage and finally determine how many squares of material are required for the roof the calculator above can handle all of this simply enter the length width and pitch and it will determine the size of the roof in squares.

A speed square aka rafter square or triangle square is a measuring multitool. Photo 2 shows how to use the speed square to mark a 33 1 2 degree angle the same as you would need on a rafter tail for a roof with an 8 12 pitch. Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square.

The number of inches that the roof rises vertically for every foot of roof. In the united states a run of 12 inches 1 foot is used and pitch is measured as the rise of the roof over 12 inches. So use a tape measure to find the height of the roof above the top wall of the building. Mark along the outside edge of the rafter angle square for your angled cut.

How to use a rafter angle square for roof pitch. Made of steel aluminum or plastic this common carpenter s tool combines a ruler a try square a protractor a line scribing tool a common width board ripping guide and a saw guide for making accurate 90 and 45 cuts with a hand or circular saw. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. Before miter saws and even since professional carpenters used speed squares as a quick saw guide for cutting 45 and 90 degree angles.