How To Use A Speed Square To Measure Roof Pitch

This is accomplished by use of the main protractor and two specialty protractor angle guides on the inside of the tool.

How to use a speed square to measure roof pitch.

Use a spirit level to mark a straight vertical line across the rafter. Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts. To calculate the required rafter length multiply the total run length half the building width plus the width that the roof is to overhang the house wall by this number 13 42. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1.

The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. Find a common rafter angled with the pitch of the roof. Shed roof pitch calculator. After finding out your roof pitch angles you can use the calculator to perform the calculations for you instead of doing them manually.

Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. Directly below the 6 inch mark on the framing square read the required rafter length 13 42 per foot of run for a 6 inch rise 6 in 12 roof. Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. Knowing how to calculate roof pitch rise run and ridge board height is essential to any shed construction.

A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. If the shed is unfinished then simply prop the speed square against the roof framing such as the rafter and repeat the same method. This is called the plumb line. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square.

A roof pitch calculator can make things much easier. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof. Align the lip of the rafter angle square along the plumb line. Measuring pitches part of the speed square s role as a protractor and its original mission as a tool is in quickly finding common and uncommon rafter angles for the pitches on roofs.