Best Roof Design For Snow Load

Calculate unbalanced snow load for hip and gable roofs as shown in asce figure 7 5 below. In some cases roof snow melt systems or heat tape can be used to combat ice accumulation on eaves and in valleys. Nevertheless if rafters valleys ridges and hips are properly sized for the balanced snow condition and if connections between members at ridges and at the attic or ceiling are sound most residential roofs should be able to handle both balanced and unbalanced snow loads.
best roof design for snow load

A simple gable roof is strong and sturdy and sheds snow easily.

Best roof design for snow load. Shed dormers are easier to waterproof and shed snow better than gable dormers. The north zone middle zone and the south zone are identified on the roof load zone. However a south roof load zone home cannot be installed in either a middle or north roof load zone. It is the state of the art rooftop design to repel the snow and stop it from piling up.

The best roof type to prevent snow accumulation is a standing seam metal roof with a pitch of 212 to 312. Slowly sprinkle snow onto the center of the roof as students watch the roof through the open end of the box. Have students make observations on their worksheets as the snow is applied to the roof and builds up to a weighty amount the snow load. Ask students to make predictions as to which roof would be best for a snowy climate.

If you live in the us our snow load calculator compares the total weight on your roof with the permissible load calculated according to the standards issued by the american society of civil engineers regarding the minimum design loads for buildings and other structures asce7 16. The recommendations for the best roof pitches on a metal building are 312 412 512 or 612. Metal roofs with chimneys metal roof designs are the most special kind of roof designs for snow which are the latest ones used in most of the houses built nowadays. Residential roof with asphalt wood shingles or shakes would use fig.

Higher pitches create large snow slides. Roof load live load design is affected by the shape of the roof whether it is flat curved or pitched. Complicated roof designs invite problems pine needles snow and ice can accumulate in nooks and crannies causing major damage. If the design necessitates a roof slope that drains onto a traffic area snow retention devices should be provided to hold the snow in place.

741 744 and asce figure 7 2 below. Proper roof ventilation and high r value roof insulation is essential to minimizing ice dam formation. 7 2b with a c s 10 p f flat roof snow load in psf. Anything less than 112 allows the snow to accumulate to the point of collapse.

A simple gable is best. P s sloped roof snow load in psf c s roof slope factor as determined by asce sec. Roof loads are a downward vertical force on the home.