For a low slope residential roof there are two main options.
Low pitch roofs architectural shingles.
Cedar or wood shake.
According to the asphalt roofing manufacturers association 301 348 2002 asphalt shingles can be applied to a roof with a pitch as shallow as 2 in 12.
Most manufacturer and industry recommendations require or at the very least recommend special underlayment or other considerations on roofs between 2 12 and 4 12.
Also roofing over old shingles adds a lot of extra weight to a roof which can be especially problematic in high snow load areas.
Iko roof fast base ma is a fiberglass reinforced nailable base with a special film surface designed to be used as one of iko s roof fast low slope roofing components.
Architectural shingles are a different style of asphalt shingle that are thicker than a 3 tab shingle and layered for an upscale look.
The membrane will outlast the shingles and seal around all nail penetrations.
Gaf asphalt shingles combined with the proper underlayment make ideal low slope roof shingles that do an excellent job of preventing water build up and leaking.
Former senior editor roe a.
But other than that a higher roof slope is much better for the shingles.
1 cover the entire surface with a self adhesive flashing membrane such as grace ice water shield there are many equivalent products.
Then apply standard asphalt shingles over the membrane.
Asphalt shingles should never be applied to roof slopes below 2 12 2 of vertical rise for every 12 of horizontal run or 9 5.
With respect to shingle application roof slopes from 2 12 to less than 4 12 18 5 are called low slope roofs while roof slopes of 4 12 or greater are called normal or standard slopes.
However those naysayers would be wrong.
Some will argue that shingles shouldn t be used for low pitch roofs at all.
However roofing over old shingles should be done only when the existing shingles and the roof underneath are in good shape.
That way water flows from the shingles onto the flange and continuing to flow down slope it flows back on the shingles.
Architectural shingles are available in 30 or 50 year varieties.
I have to say having a low roof slope sure makes it more comfortable to install the shingles.
These shingles are appropriate for pitches as low as 4 12 pitch all the way up to a 12 12 pitch.
As well a slope of 4 12 is most commonly considered the lowest slope for standard shingle installations.
If you have a low slope roof but would love to have a shingled look rather than other solutions like rolled sheet roofing you are in luck.
So given your location and the fact that.
Traditional 3 tab shingles made with asphalt composite are the most popular type of shingle and are the most flexible in terms of adapting to many roof pitches.