Home › Learn From The Pros › What Are Roofing Loads? What Are Roofing Loads? December 15, 2020 One of the most important aspects of roof replacement projects is roofing load calculations. Roofing load is just the technical term for the weight that a roof structure is expected to support. Roofing loads can vary from one type of roof to another, and your construction will depend greatly on the loads it is able to carry. Most of the time, roofing loads are handled by roofing contractors, which is why many homeowners are not entirely familiar with this term. Regardless, it’s necessary to have a basic understanding of what roof loads are if you want your roof replacement to be successful. Dead Loads Your roofing contractors will always design a roof that’s able to hold itself. This means the beams and rafters must not buckle under the weight of your shingles, tile roofs or whatever material you decide your roof will have. The total weight of the structure of the roof is called the dead load. It could also be referred to as the permanent load because it’s the weight your roof must always be able to handle. Live Loads Live loads, on the other hand, are also known as temporary loads. These are extra weights that a roof should be able to handle apart from its dead load. Live loads include temporary equipment that will be on the roof and the weight of people who will be working on the roof itself. In Minnesota, live loads can also refer to the weight of snow on the roof during winter. Slope Correction Dead and live loads are typically assumed to push uniformly downward on the roof, but this is not always the case. Most homes have sloped roofs, which is why roof repair contractors adjust load calculations according to the angle of the roof. This means steeper roofs must have higher load limits than low-sloped roofs. At [company_name], you can count on us to give you high quality services for all your roofing needs. Give us a call at [company_number], or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation and request a free estimate today. We serve homeowners in Brainerd and other nearby areas.