Simply put it s a shallow roof.
													
																	2 12 roof pitch shed roof. 
									
	
		
	
																	Roof pitch defined and explained. 
																	Remember that pitch is calculated as the height or rise of a roof pitch over 12 inches of horizontal run. 
																	A pitch over 9 12 is considered a steep slope roof between 2 12 and 4 12 is considered a low slope roof and less than 2 12 is considered a flat roof. 
																	Therefore if your roof rises 4 inches over the course of 12 inches of horizontal run then your roof pitch is 4 12. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Asphalt shingles continue to be the most widely installed roof covering option in north america. 
																	This measurement is best done on a bare roof because curled up roofing shingles will impair your measurement. 
																	This slope works well for sheds that are fairly narrow like 4 to 6 feet but for sheds that are 8 or wider the shed roof becomes unsightly high. 
																	The table below shows common roof pitches and the equivalent grade degrees and radians for each. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	If you do opt to use 2 4 shed rafters for your roof construction you will always use a 2 6 ridge beam even though the rafters will be 2 4. 
																	Remember this advice applies only to shed roofs that have a pitch greater than 3 12. 
																	If you have a roof with a pitch that is less than 3 12 you should not use 2x4s. 
																	To make the bottom cut i laid out a level cut for a 4 in 12 pitch. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	They provide excellent weather resistance great value and now more than ever a tremendous range of beautiful designs and color blends. 
																	Or the colon can replace the slash as in 2 12 or 7 12. 
																	Asphalt shingles typically have a minimum slope rating of 4 in 12. 
																	That means the roof doesn t shed water as easily as steeper roofs which is why choosing the right type of roofing material is so important. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Roof pitch designations are comprised of two numbers indicating a ratio. 
																	This means that for every 12 inches of horizontal distance across the shed the roof will rise 4 inches. 
																	A 2 12 roof slope means your roof has 2 inches of vertical drop for every 12 inches of horizontal distance. 
																	The ratio can be indicated by a division slash separating the numbers such as 2 12 or 7 12. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	A 4 12 pitch being 4 inches of vertical rise over one foot or 12 inches of horizontal run. 
																	Most roof s have a pitch in the 4 12 to 9 12 range. 
																	Pitch is the term used to describe the angle slope or slant of your roof. 
																	The picture below shows the pitch of a 7 12 roof slope meaning that for 12 of horizontal measurement roof run the vertical measurement roof rise is 7. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	The short simple answer is 2 12 has traditionally been considered the absolute minimum acceptable roof slope suitable for asphalt shingles. 
																	There are advantages and disadvantages to having a steep pitch versus a shallow or low pitch the most obvious of which is the roof s ability to shed or withstand. 
																	In roofing it is expressed in inches of vertical rise over inches of horizontal run.