Some building codes allow as low as a 2 slope with asphalt shingles if additional steps are taken.
How to shingle a low slope roof.
For a low slope residential roof there are two main options.
Low slope roofs present a challenge where water is concerned.
Cover the entire low sloped roof area with a self adhered modified bituminous membrane that will act as an ice and water.
The usual slope for asphalt shingles is a 4 or greater rise for every horizontal foot of run.
Low slope roofing shingles.
Roofs at the lower end of the range about 4 12 to 6 12 are relatively easy to walk and work on.
Extend the front edge of the drip edge so it runs off the roof and into the guttering.
For anything less than that you should use a roofing material specifically made for low slope roofs.
The acceptable underlayment installation options for low slopes are described in the canadian standards association asphalt shingle application standard csa a123 51 as follows.
The arma s residential manual for asphalt roofing recommends that asphalt shingles on low slope roofs be applied over a nonperforated single layer of adhesive backed bituminous membrane installed to the manufacturer s specifications or over a double layer of asphalt impregnated felt paper.
1 cover the entire surface with a self adhesive flashing membrane such as grace ice water shield there are many.
A 3 per foot slope is considered low but may be acceptable if a double layer of felt is used.
Attach drip edge along the edge of the roof with roofing cement.
Some will argue that shingles shouldn t be used for low pitch roofs at all.
The majority of north american residential roofs have historically been constructed with a slope between about 4 12 and 9 12.
That way water flows from the shingles onto the flange and continuing to flow down slope it flows back.
To install the flange one shingles to about the level of the pipe then nails the flange on and then continues by putting the shingles over the flange.
However those naysayers would be wrong.
If you don t place the drip edge properly.