Pitched roofs including gabled and hipped roofs are the most common types in the united states.
													
																	How steep should a roof be. 
									
	
		
	
																	A ratio is the most common way of expressing roof pitch or roof slope but degrees are also possible. 
																	Examples of extreme slopes range from 1 4 12 almost flat to 12 12 sloping down at a perfect 45 degree angle. 
																	For most home styles roof pitches fall in a range 4 12 a moderate slope up to 8 12 fairly steep. 
																	You can also divide the rise over run multiply by 100 and get a percentage. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	In degrees 10 2 in 12 or 1 in 6 is considered a minimum. 
																	The exact roof slope in degrees is given by the arctangent. 
																	However in general terms low slope roofs commercial roofs are those below 2 12 or 3 12 while steep slope roofing would consists of roof pitches above either 2 12 or 3 12 and higher. 
																	Roof slope is a very important aspect and it is considered the primary factor in roof design. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	2 12 4 12 conventional slope roof. 
																	9 12 20 12 steep slope. 
																	So the pitch of a roof is determined by how many inches the slope rises for every 12 inches it runs horizontally. 
																	A 4 12 pitch is around 18 5 degrees but not exactly. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Any pitch higher than 9 12 is considered a steep pitch. 
																	Definitions vary on when a roof is considered pitched. 
																	Thus a 4 12 pitch would be a 33 slope.