Expert: Stephen Major - 5/13/2007

Question
I've been trying to find a simple chart which converts all the various roof pitches to inclination degrees. I could sit and figure them all out, but no doubt it's already been done a thousand times... I'm amazed that I can't seem to find a handy reference for those of us who still like to sketch design ideas with a pencil, tri-scale, and protractor. Does such a chart exist?

Answer
Jeanne,

Use this link.   It has a graphic chart and a table (pg. 7-8).  I found it with a simple Yahoo search.

http://www.duraloc.com/downloads/Estimating.pdf

I usually use 1/4" grid vellum to do sketching, and it's an easy matter to lay out any pitch in 1/4" squares (e.g. 5 squares over 12 squares is a 5/12 pitch).  I then use an adjustable triangle to set this angle and can quickly transfer it over and over again to the drawing without referring to a protractor.

--Steve Major