taksluttning

Taksluttning, or roof slope, is the angle or gradient of a roof relative to the horizontal. In Norwegian usage, taksluttning describes how steep a roof is and is important for drainage, snow shedding, and structural design. It can be expressed as an angle in degrees, or as a pitch ratio (rise:run) or a percentage. For example, a rise of 6 units over a horizontal run of 12 units is a 6:12 pitch (about 26.6 degrees), equal to 50 percent.

Measurement of taksluttning can be done with an inclinometer or a smartphone app, or calculated from vertical rise and horizontal distance: pitch = arctan(rise/run). In practice, roofs are categorized as low-slope, medium-slope, or steep-slope.

Typical ranges: low-slope roofs are usually under about 15 degrees; medium-slope commonly 15–30 degrees; steep-slope roofs exceed about 30 degrees. The exact thresholds vary by region and standard.

Impacts: taksluttning affects water drainage, snow load, wind resistance, attic space, ventilation, and energy performance. It also constrains material choices; for example, asphalt shingles generally require a minimum slope (often around 2:12, about 9.5 degrees), while metal panels or tiles may tolerate steeper or alternate pitches.

Codes and climate: local building codes define minimum slopes for drainage and waterproofing, with climate influencing recommended slopes to optimize snow shedding and durability. The choice of taksluttning thus integrates structural, environmental, and material considerations.