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Update: My old studio had a flat roof and I didn't think it mattered.
Now I see everyone building them and it's a real problem with snow load here in Spokane. My first one had a minor collapse after a heavy winter, and the fix cost about $1,200. Has anyone found a good slope that still keeps the ceiling height?
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nora7353mo ago
Check the local building codes first, they often list a minimum pitch for snow load areas. Most people forget about the roof underlayment when adding slope, a cheap felt paper won't cut it with the new angles. You need a high-temp ice and water shield for the whole thing, not just the edges, to prevent leaks from ice dams. A 3/12 pitch is usually the sweet spot, it sheds snow but won't make your ceiling feel like a low attic.
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lily_sullivan823mo ago
The whole roof needs ice and water shield? I just had a quote for my shed roof and the guy only wanted to put it on the first three feet. He said doing the whole thing was a waste of money. Now I'm wondering if I need to call him back.
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sam_harris6821d ago
Wait is that true though? I've always heard the same thing from roofers that you only need it on the eaves and valleys, especially for a shed. My neighbor did his whole garage roof with ice and water shield and it cost him a fortune, plus the stuff is a pain to work with in hot weather because it sticks to everything. Did your building inspector actually call you out on not having full coverage, or are you going off what some online guide said? Because I've seen guys get away with just the low slope areas for years in heavy snow zones. If the pitch is 3/12 like you said, wouldn't the water run off fast enough to not pool up and form dams higher up?
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