Using A Protractor To Find Roof Pitch
Go on your roof and put one corner of the level on your roof then bring it up so it is level with the earth.
Using a protractor to find roof pitch. I hear read all too often this misuse and usually ignore it. A roof slope of 4 12 is a 1 6 pitch a 6 12 slope is a 1 4 pitch an 8 12 slope is a 1 3 pitch and so on. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. Let s assume it is equal to 6 m.
The most precise way to find the roof s slope is by measuring it from the underside. 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. Roof pitch refers to the amount of rise a roof has compared to the horizontal measurement of the roof called the run. If a magazine such as finehomebuilding is going to put out an article to teach a topic it should use the proper words and definitions.
Lower the measuring tape to the surface of the roof 12 away from where the level meets the roof. Most roof s have a pitch in the 4 12 to 9 12 range. If you want to find the roof pitch in the form of x 12 simply calculate the pitch and substitute 12 for the run length. For example using the numbers from our roof framing square table example just above.
This tool is for carpentry plumbing electrical or hvac work that requires accurate pitch or slope identification. The slope of your roof is the ratio of vertical distance rise to horizontal distance run. Learn more about finding the angle of a line using our slope calculator. Here are a few methods to easily find the roof slope on your existing shed.
Or 17 x 12 204 in. A pitch over 9 12 is considered a steep slope roof between 2 12 and 4 12 is considered a low slope roof and less than 2 12 is considered a flat roof. Common roof pitches and equivalent grade degree and radian angles. Measuring the slope from the rafters.
The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. If we know the roof run and rafter length we find the roof slope by calculation or we use the framing square table just below and then easily find the roof rise. Half of the scale is printed in 0 to 90 degrees in 2 quadrants. Just write down the measurements you found.
There s no need to simplify them. Roof slope calculator example of use. You can use it to identify roof pitch stair slope or drainage angles. Access one of the rafters then take the measurement this way.
Measure the run length it is the horizontal distance between the roof ridge and the wall of the building. This johnson pitch and angle locator is made of black high impact plastic. The value displayed as the rise will be your x. Using 48 carpenters level and measuring tape.
Measured rafter run rr 17 ft.