What is the ideal pitch for a roof?

There is no single ideal pitch. It depends on what you want the roof to do.

For water shedding

Steeper roofs drain faster and keep debris moving. Below 4/12, shingles need double underlayment, and below 2/12, shingles are not allowed at all and a membrane or low slope metal is required. Under Georgia's heavy summer downpours, 4/12 and up keeps water moving.

For cost

Roofs up to about 6/12 or 7/12 can be walked. Beyond that, crews need roof jacks, harnesses and more time, so steep slope charges appear on estimates. A steeper roof also has more surface area: a 12/12 roof has about 41 percent more area than its footprint, versus about 12 percent for 6/12.

For attic space and looks

Steeper pitches create usable attic or bonus room space and a more traditional look. Low pitches suit ranch and modern styles.

For solar

A common rule of thumb is that panels produce best when tilted near your latitude. Metro Atlanta sits near 34 degrees north, so roofs around 6/12 (26.6 degrees) to 8/12 (33.7 degrees) are close, and solar output is fairly forgiving either way. See replacing your roof before solar.

For wind

Hip roofs of moderate pitch tend to perform well in wind compared with tall, flat gable ends. See wind damage to roofs in Georgia.