Different Styles of Roofing

Roofs come in different styles to suit various budgets and architectural styles.

All buildings need a roof to protect the interior of the structure from the elements. Roofing, like other construction materials, comes in several styles. The type chosen for a particular building project depends on several factors, such as cost, durability and aesthetics. According to home improvement guru Bob Vila, most roofs fall into one of two shapes - gabled or hipped. These types of roof are defined by slope lines and where roof and wall meet. There are several variations on gable and hip roofing. Does this Spark an idea?

Gable roof

A gable roof creates a triangular shape at the front of the building.

On a gable roof, the roofing has two straight slopes from the peak of the house to the eaves, creating a ridge that runs from the front to the back of a home, giving the facades a triangular appearance. Gable roofing is easy for contractors to install. While durable and inexpensive, it is not recommended for areas that frequently experience high winds.

Hip Roof

A hip roof that comes to a single peak is known as a pyramid hip roof.

On a hip roof, all four sides of the roof slope downward to meet the sides of the house, coming to a peak or ridge at the top. The ridges created where the roof sections join are the "hips" of the roof. While hip roofs can be costly and complex to build, they also are more durable than gable roofs. And since the roof rises from the same point on all sides, the walls can all be built to the same height with no variation.

Gambrel roof

Barns often employ gambrel roofs.

A gambrel roof is a type of gable roof often seen on barns. Usually symmetrical, gambrel roofing has two sides that meet at a peak in the center, just as on a gable roof. Gambrel roofs, however, are broken up into two sections on each side. The top portion of the roof is usually gently sloped, with the bottom portion sloping downward sharply. According to Mother Earth News, this type of roof is prized for its simplicity and efficiency--if designed properly, it leaves little to no wasted space in the home.

Mansard roof

A mansard roof is like a hip roof with the top cut off. The roof has four sloping sides, just as on a hip roof, but rather than coming to a peak at the center, the top of the roof is sloped at a very slight angle--nearly flat. Like a gambrel roof, this design also maximizes interior space, according to This Old House.

Bonnet roof

Bonnet roofs are an uncommon variation on hip roofs. They can be considered a reverse Mansard roof, in that the upper slope is much steeper than the lower slope. They are also known as "kicked-eaves" roofs.

Shed roof

A shed roof has just one slope across the entire roof, typically with the highest point at the front of the building. This style is among the simplest to design, and can still bear large snow loads if it is angled correctly.

Flat roof

Any roof with a slope of 10 degrees or less is typically considered "flat." Few roofs are actually flat--with a zero-degree pitch--because of the danger of water or snow pooling on the surface. While much less costly than a sloped roof, flat roofs are not long-lasting, and they require maintenance on a regular basis.

References

• Roof Terms and Terminology
• Mother Earth News: The Super-simple Gambrel Roof
• This Old House: Roof Shapes--Mansard