Cape Cod Standard Roof Pitch

If you decide to rebuild the roof you will lose your cape cod roof style so be sure to set the higher ceiling default aside as one of your final tasks.

Cape cod standard roof pitch.

Asphalt shingles are appropriate on roofs with conventional pitches between 4 12 and 9 12. With the roof sitting directly on top of the 1st story walls or with the roof sitting on knee walls a set distance above the second story floor. Cape cod houses are defined by the roof pitch known as a 12 12. The ratio between width and height is much smaller with a low pitch roof.

Care must be given so that debris does not collect and thus cause damage. If you have a small house then to get the headroom for useable space in the second floor then you have to have a 12 12 pitch. Today wills architectural firm royal barry wills associates inc continues the legacy of his residential work and the cape cod lives on with both vintage versions and new remodels inspired by the classic look. Commonly it is 3 4 th of span as per gothic rafter must be equal to span.

Some victorian cape style houses had very steep roofs. Usually average roof pitch is determined using the same roof length method. If you want an authentic look early houses had a shallower pitch that is assuming that the ground floor was just for argument 32 feet across the gable end. Low slope or flat roofs should not be roofed with asphalt shingles because it is much easier for water to infiltrate the roofing material on a roof with a shallow pitch.

High pitch roof pros. Here are a few photos that show the enduring beauty of the cape cod along with a few features that ll help you identify characteristics of this quaint style. They offer practical drainage as well as height for the half story often. Optional upgrade from a 7 12 or 10 12 to a 12 12 roof pitch 45 angle similar to a modified cape cod style house.

Greek says one must keep rafter length in range of 1 9 to 1 7 th of span but as per roman style the standard dimensions are kept about 1 3 to 2 9 th of span with an angle of 23 to 24 degree. Roofs with extreme pitches either low or steep are inappropriate for certain roofing materials. Modified cape style highest roof pitch 12 12 standard roof pitch on cape cod cottage and edgartown cottage. Simply put this is a roof that goes up 12 inches for every 12 inches over.

For the purposes of this example both techniques start with a 30 x 40 building. This steep roofline gives a more dramatic look to the front of the house and often dormers are added to let light into the upstairs space through the roof line. Since the pitch of the roof is lower it can act as a catch all for tree limbs and other debris. This roof style allows the maximum space for a loft providing extra storage room.

There are two ways to create a cape cod style house.