Roof Styles : The Six Most Common Roof Shapes
Purchasing a new home? Thinking about having a new roof installed on your home? As you research your options, you will hear about different roof styles and types. The type of roof on your home affects the overall aesthetic, how the roof functions and what type of care the roof will need in the future to provide the longevity you are seeking. Learning about the different roof styles can help you to better understand the pros and cons of each type.
There are six common types of roofs – here are those styles and how they differ.
FLAT ROOFS
Flat roofs actually do have a slight incline that allows water to drain. The slope is slight and looking up toward the roof from street level, it may not look sloped at all. These roofs are traditionally seen on commercial buildings or warehouses but are also featured on many contemporary and solar homes. The low incline leaves these roofs prone to leaks from standing water so it is very important to select a top roofing contractor to assure a leak-proof installation.
LEAN-TO OR SHED ROOFS
Lean-to roofs are fairly similar to flat roofs and are typically made from comparable materials to flat roofs. However, unlike flat roofs, lean-to roofs are designed with a gradual incline that creates an appearance between a flat roof and a sloped roof. Because flat roofs tend to have leak issues due to problems with drainage, the lean-to design makes them more weather-proof. Lean-to roofs are one of the simplest types of sloped roofs to construct.
GABLE AND CROSS-GABLED ROOFS
The gable roof is visually the most common type of roof, featuring a triangular shape on the ends of the home. The gable roof shape tends to be simple and inexpensive to build. Their strong, stiff construction allows the roof to withstand snow and high winds, without collapsing or causing excessive damage. An interesting twist on the gable roof is a cross-gable with two gable formations at right angles.
GAMBREL ROOFS
A gambrel roof has a distinctive barn shape. This type of roof has a pentagon shape that creates a very distinguishable construction style. The roof has very steep sides but has a gentle slope along the top portions. This type of roof allows window placement, often dormers, that allow significant amounts of light to come into the home. A gambrel roof is best displayed on compact squarish buildings.
HIP AND CROSS-HIP ROOFS
Similar to a gable roof, the hip roof offers one key exception. Unlike the gable roof with its triangular shape, a hip roof has the ends clipped off on each side. This roof has steep slopes to allow water to drain, yet the edges of the roof look clean, straight and modern. A hip roof makes the roof less visible from the street than a gable roof, meaning your roof is less the focal point of the exterior of the home. Hip roofs require large beams to be placed to hold up the weight of the roof, which can be time-consuming and more costly. A variation on the hip roof is the cross hip design, combining two hip shaped structures at combined at right angles.
MANSARD ROOFS
Mansard roofs are probably the least common of the major roof types. They have two large pitches that overlap and bear all the weight of the side walls. Mansard roofs are large and heavy, but the benefit is they maximize the space in an attic, making them ideal for people who want to turn their attic into livable space or require extra storage. These types of roofs are typically seen on historic homes.
ROOFING MATERIALS FOR YOUR ROOF TYPE?
So, now that you’ve determined your roof type, how do you choose materials for your job?
- Drive through your neighborhood and see what roofing types are popular. Browse houses online and in magazines to find a roof style and color that reflects the image for the aesthetic you want to create with your own home.
- Consider your neighborhood and any HOA restrictions in place that may limit your options. Do you want your home to blend into the surroundings or do you want your roof to make a statement?
Whether you are remodeling or choosing materials for a roof on a new home, you want to ensure that the roof is installed by an experienced professional contractor who will give you the assurance that the roofing materials chosen are appropriate and that they are installed to extend the longevity of your home.
THE IMPORTANT ROOF SLOPE
The slope of your roof has a practical and aesthetic function, allowing rain or snow to run off at different rates depending on the pitch. A roof’s slope is expressed in a ratio based on the proportions of the roofing structure.
Professional contractors may use a term like 6 in 12, meaning the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 inches horizontally. This can easily be translated for any number.
From flat grades to steep inclines, your home’s roof slope can help create an interesting silhouette.
When choosing roofing materials, keep in mind that the steeper the slope, the more visible your roof’s surface is from the street level, creating a greater impact on the exterior design aesthetics of your home.