Optional Roof Styles

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Do you drive a sedan, SUV, or truck? Do you prefer a colonial, ranch, or split-level home? Knowing how to distinguish one type from another is essential in determining your likes and dislikes and facilitating ease of communication.  After all, you wouldn’t try to put truck tires on a two-door coupe or purchase a colonial-style home if you have trouble navigating stairs, right?

The same goes for roofing styles, especially when it comes to roof replacement or building a new home. It’s also important to know so you can properly care for the roof you already have.

Here is an overview of the most common roof types along with their pros and cons.

Gable

One of the most popular styles, gabled roofs have an easily recognizable triangle design that facilitates equal ease of installation. Gabled roofs provide adequate ventilation and are efficient at moving water and snow away. They tend to be more affordable than some other types and their design helps make the most of interior living space. However, gabled roofs can be more vulnerable to strong winds due to their steep pitch.

Hip

Hip roofs are formed of four equal-length sloping sides that join to create a ridge at the top. They are great at removing water and snow – plus, they can withstand strong winds. Hip roofs are on the costly side due to their design and because they require more building materials and labor as compared to other types.

Dutch Gable

A Dutch gable roof is a mix of gable and hip styles, utilizing the same design of a hip roof but with an added gable at the top. This provides extra attic space and can allow for a window for added sunlight – a bonus for finished attic spaces. However, their more complex design makes them more costly to build. Additionally, the added meeting points require tight sealing and waterproofing to prevent water intrusion.

Gambrel

Commonly seen on barns, gambrel roofs have two sides with two different slopes on them with the bottom slope steeper than the one on top. This design allows for extra living space that many other styles can’t compete with. Gambrel roofs are relatively affordable although vulnerable to harsh winds and heavy snowfall.

Mansard

Unlike gambrel, mansard roofs have two slopes on all four sides. The top slope is less steep than the bottom and the sides are often flat (though they can be curved). This style was commonly used in Victorian-era homes. They’re among the most efficient shapes and add extra living space, but their intricate design makes them difficult and more costly to build. Plus, mansard roofs can’t withstand large amounts of snow, so not the best choice for Connecticut homes.

Flat

One of the simpler roof designs, flat roofs are very easy to identify because they’re – well, flat. A common choice for commercial buildings, they also are used for residential homes. Flat roofs – despite their name – might have a slight slope to assist in water drainage. They are one of the most cost-efficient styles to build due to their simple design and lower-cost materials; however, they require constant maintenance especially in snow-heavy or heavily treed areas to prevent roof rot and leakage.

Shed

A shed roof is comprised of one slope starting from a low wall that climbs to a taller wall. They are often used for sheds and porches but have grown in popularity for homes as well. Their sloped design allows snow and water to fall off with ease and they don’t require complex materials to build. On the downside, one wall being smaller than the other affects living space. Shed roofs also need proper reinforcement to fend off strong winds.

If you’re building a new home, the sky’s the limit on roof type and design. While your options may be more limited when it comes to roof replacement, you have multiple options, nonetheless.  For help in deciding which style makes the most sense for you, contact Zaman Roofing today for a free consultation and new-roof proposal.