Low Slope Roof Live Load

Steep slope roofs have the greatest pressures in the perimeter and corners as well as the roof peak and eaves.

Low slope roof live load.

To do this i use conservative too heavy dead loads and full snow loads regardless of pitch. For a low slope residential roof there are two main options. Residential low slope roofing can generally be divided up into two broad categories. Minimum slope for low slope roof systems with any roofing material a slope of at least 1 4 inch per foot is recommended to promote drainage and minimize ponding.

Finding the right products for your low slope roof. For low slope roofs wind pressures typically have the greatest magnitude at the roof perimeter and corners. Then apply standard asphalt shingles over the membrane. Installation is important when it comes to putting a single ply roofing system on a building.

Larger flat roofed applications low slope such as residential condominium complexes row homes and town houses and smaller applications such as residential porch and garage transitions from the main home where the slope of the roof changes dramatically. The membrane will outlast the shingles and seal around all nail penetrations. Self adhesive flashing membrane under the shingles prevents leakage on low slope roofs. Where deflection from snow or other live loads is a concern a greater slope will be needed to prevent any ponding.

However in my practice i typically use the horizontal run of the roof for both types of load. For example in the rafter span table below the highlighted cell in the 40 live load table indicates that 2 x 8 southern yellow pine joists that have a grade of 2 that are. Technically you should use the actual rafter length when adding up the weight of roofing materials. The 1 4 in 12 design slope is reduced more from live load and long term dead load creep to exacerbate water retention.

Visit the roof framing page for more information on cutting roof rafters and visit the roof pitch calculator for determining rafter lengths based on rise and run. Other geometric discontinuities may have increased pressures as well especially those at greater height on the structure. For dead loads you are correct. And ice reduces a roof s snow load and dries more quickly than a light colored roof.

On a roof with a slope greater than 4 to 12 the live load limit is typically adjusted downward from 20 psf to 15 psf to allow for the relatively greater dead load on the steeper roof. Boca also allows you to reduce the snow load for roofs with slopes greater than 30 degrees presumably because snow will slide or blow off steeply pitched roofs.