How To Determine Roof Pitch With A Speed Square

Measure the vertical distance from roof to level.

How to determine roof pitch with a speed square.

Extend it upward so it is perpendicular to the level. A 12 12 pitch roof has a pitch angle of 45. Marvel at your mathematical. You can assess this in two ways either as the roof pitch angles which the rafters make with the horizontal or the proportion between the run and the rise of the roof.

Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator. Leah answers a viewer s question about how to calculate the pitch of a roof on a structure. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof. Measure the roof pitch with a speed square.

Find the inverse tangent of the pitch to find the angle in degrees. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. Hold the 0 mark of the tape measure against the roof. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters.

Move the tape measure along the the roof until it hits the level at exactly the 12 inch mark. To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. Roof pitch refers to the slope which the rafter creates. 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.

Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. Leah s recommended tools for beginner diy ers. Often you express roof pitch as the ratio between the rise and the run in the form of x 12.

Measure with a speed square a speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Place the straightedge on the shingles in a direction perpendicular to the gutter. The pitch can also be measured if only a level mark can be made. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square.