Different Types of Roofing Loads

Roofs are subjected to different kinds of pressure, both permanent and temporary, and are able to withstand various loads depending on their design. What exactly are these roofing loads, and why should you care about them?

It’s important to understand roof loads because they represent what your roof has to be able to withstand while it’s over your home. A properly designed roof will take this into account, ensuring it performs as expected, and you make the most of your roof replacement investment.

Roofing loads include:

Dead Loads

Dead loads refer to the weights of roofs themselves, affected by all permanently attached structures and materials to the system. First and foremost, a roof has to be designed to support dead load or its own weight. Typically, a dead load for an asphalt shingle roof with a wood frame is around 15 pounds for every square foot. As roofing materials get heavier, dead loads increase as well. For example, a clay tile roof can have up to 27 pounds per square foot of dead load.

Live Loads 

Live loads refer to the weights of temporary objects on roofs, such as snow or people working on a roof. A roofing system then has to be able to support both dead and live loads. Typically, a minimum of 20 pounds per square foot of live load must be supported, on top of a roof’s dead load.

Uplift Loads

Uplift loads refer to the upward pressure winds exert when they hit exterior walls. Typically, uplift loads are at around 20 pounds per square feet for winds at maximum speeds of around 90 miles per hour. A lot of this load, however, will be negated by the downward push of a roof’s dead load.

Want to make sure you have a properly designed roof? Quality Assurance Roofing is the roofing expert roofing experts trust. Certified by CertainTeed®, Owens Corning® and GAF, we believe in quality over quantity, providing only the best of the best products and services around to give you the results you desire. 

To learn more about what we can do for you, simply give us a call at (479) 279-8500, or fill out our contact form. Ask us for a FREE quote today! We serve Branson, MO, NW Arkanas and Southern, MO as well as the surrounding communities.