While planning for building design, we often prioritize our choices based on the functionality and the desired aesthetic appeal for a perfect look. One of the most vital parts of the building style is the types of roof shapes installed to serve functionality and adding a unique and beautiful curb appeal. While passing your neighbor’s house, you might have admired the roof designs and planned to have it on your house.
Whether you build a new home or wish to create additional roof space, each roof styles have a particular purpose to meet. Roofs play a major role in the overall look and curb appeal of the home’s exterior. There are many options to choose from that can confuse you. In this article, we have covered all the aspects of the types of roof shapes with their advantages and disadvantages to help you choose the best one for your home.
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Different Shapes of Roofs
While deciding the types of roof shapes, roof angles need to be considered because it’s a vital part of the roof shapes.
Shed Roof Styles
The shed roof has a unique shape with a single flat surface area with a noticeable slope. It is also known as the mono-pitched roof, which is not attached to other roofs and is pitched at a perpendicular angle. This shape was famous during the Victorian period.
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Gable Roof Shape
A Gable roof, also known as a pitched roof or slanted roof, is a conventional roof type identified by triangular ‘A’ shape. Two sloping sides meet at the ridge. It looks like a triangle-roof house resting on the top of a house. The size of the roof may vary depending on the requirement of your property. Some homes need a single gable, while others may need double gables to support the structure.
Gambrel Roof
It looks like a gable roof, but both slopes on each side have a peak placed in the middle rather than at the top, giving it a shape of an inverted gable roof. It is best suited for areas with snowfall because both roofs have more headroom. The disadvantage is the challenge to build and maintain it.
A Line Roof
The A-frame roof has a pointed shape of the letter ‘A’ with uniform angled sides. This roof shape is common in conventional cottages and buildings. It will be a perfect choice if you reside in a cold climatic zone because the shape provides a natural drainage to slide off snow, minimizing the chances of snow freezing.
Hip Roof Styles
The hip roof has four sides on each side of the building connected to each other that meet to form a ridge. There are various shapes, like rectangular and square hip roofs. The most common one-rectangular hip, has four faces of the same pitch forming a uniform top, whereas square one looks like a pyramid because no gable is used in the construction. It’s an ideal choice for windy areas.
Bonnet Roof
This style has double roofs on each side of the house with a steep upper slope and a slightly gentle slope at the bottom, providing shade to the walls like a bonnet. It’s ideal for areas with tropical climates and gazebos. It extends the look of a reversed mansard roof. Bonnet design roofs were mainly seen in old buildings and are not preferred for modern facilities.
Monitor Roof
The monitor roof is a structure on the raised structure of the building running parallel to the main roof. It is mainly the tallest element of the entire building structure that provides an option to install clerestory windows for more lighting and air circulation in the building. It’s commonly seen in farmhouses, warehouses, barns, and factories where additional lighting is required.
Mansard Roof
The mansard roof looks like a hip roof with four steep slopes, each divided into two. This shape creates extra space under the roof. From the ground, it will look like a flat roof. This design was popular in Germany and France in classic properties.
Arched Roof
This shape has a unique design of a wide curved shape which can be self-supporting or load-bearing. It all depends on how accurately the installation is done. The most common types of arched roof styles are barrel vault roofs and vaulted roofs. Though arched roof styles are seen in historic buildings, barns, warehouses, and stables, they will look good on modern properties, also.
Curved Roof
This shape extends a modern look to the home’s exterior with a curved arch at both ends, creating a beautiful curved entry for homes. It’s costly because you need a professional to hire it, but it’s weather resistant and ideal for all environments, adding to the aesthetic appeal and easy to maintain. It’s a perfect selection for commercial properties.
M Types of Roof Shapes
This roof style has a double gable roof with two sloped sides meeting in the middle, with the corresponding slopes forming an ‘M’ shape. This shape has a central gutter system between the two pitches to prevent snow and water accumulation during winter.
Domed Roof
Dome types of roof shapes looks like an inverted bowl maintaining the same structure all around the structure, adding charm to the building. It can be seen in historical buildings and gazebos. It’s durable, beautiful, and wind resistant but slightly more expensive than the other roofs. Dome roofs can be made using shingles, metal, or glass.
Combination Roof
As the name suggests, it combines two or more types of roofs. It’s perfect for all weather conditions, adding a strikingly beautiful visual impact. The only disadvantage is that combining roof styles creates a valley that can lead to leakage.
V-Roof
V-roof, also known as butterfly roof, has slopes that are inverted to create a ‘V’ in the middle of the roof partition. It is considered a modern design. It’s easy to install and conceal solar systems due to the absence of gutter systems.
Dutch Roof
This Types of roof shapes appears to be a combination of gable and hip roof. On the edge of the roof, a partial or complete gable can be seen for more internal space. The advantages are more attic space, proper ventilation, and drainage. The disadvantages are challenges in construction, the risk of leaks, and high maintenance.
Saddle Roof
A saddle roof, also known as a hyper, is a unique roof design with a convex curve on one axis and concave around the other. In the USA, it is preferred by homes and small businesses. Architects use this shape to give a modern look to conventional homes.
Flat Roof
These types of roof shapes are mainly used in commercial and industrial buildings like offices and warehouses; however, the creative architects used these roof lines to build a modern dream house for rich and famous actors and business tycoons. These roofs are low-sloped roofs to slide off water and snow.
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Materials Used to Build the Roofs
- Asphalt shingles
- Wood shingles
- Clay tiles
- Rubber roofing
- Composite roofing
- Metal
- Corrugated
- Slate roofing
- Solar shingles
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Points to Consider Before Selecting the Roof Types and Materials
All types of roof shapes are designed keeping in mind a specific set of benefits that helps people choose the right one for their home.
Architecture
The architecture of the building plays an important role in deciding the types of roof shapes.
Weather Conditions
The climate and weather conditions of the area where you live play an essential role because different types of roof structures have various features. Some are perfect for snowy regions and others for heavy rainfall areas.
Material
The types of roof shapes are decided on the type of material used because the same material can’t fit all roof styles.
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Aesthetics
Though the roof serves the functionality, it should also add aesthetics to the exterior home simultaneously to add beautiful appeal.
Installation and Maintenance Cost
These two costs need to be considered as both may add to the overall budget you plan for types of roofs. A cost balancing between installation and maintenance is essential.
Neighborhood
The final decision to install the roof depends on multiple factors mentioned above. However, one important factor is the types of roof shapes in your neighborhood. You might like to go for a shape that aligns well with neighbors to have uniformity and blend with the surrounding.
Building Codes
Make sure you consider the building code of your area. There are areas where specific shapes are not allowed. Do your research thoroughly before concluding to purchase material for roof.
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Conclusion
Selecting the best types of roof shapes is a significant decision when building a new house or creating an additional roof over the existing one. Consider all the possible factors, such as material, location, weather conditions, aesthetic appeal, and budget, before making the purchase. If you are confused, seek the help of a professional to choose the right roof shape for your home.
