What Is a Mansard Roof?
The mansard roof can be viewed atop many different buildings, from houses to fast food restaurants. First popularized in 17th century France, it is now a widely used roof style throughout the United States. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Invented earlier but popularized in the 1600s by French architect Francois Mansart, this roof style was used extensively in Mansart's designs, giving rise to the term "mansard."
Identification
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The lower slope of the mansard roof is almost vertical and often can't be seen from ground level. To identify a mansard, look for a four-sided roof with double slopes on each side. The lower slope is steep, almost vertical, and often has dormer windows.
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Benefits
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Mansard roofs allow for extra storage in the attic and make it easy to add a second floor if desired.
Popularity
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The mansard roof became popular in 1960s Neo-eclectic American architecture. Mansard roofs are used on many types of buildings, from homes to apartments to shopping centers.
House Styles
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Second Empire houses are often characterized by their distinctive mansard roofs. The mansard roof is utilized in several architectural styles, including Second Empire, Beaux Arts, Richardsonian Romanesque and Neo-eclectic.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jennifer Dickert Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jim Kuhn Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Frédéric DUPONT
