The roof is the most important part of your home.
After all, that’s what a home is for—to protect you from the elements. But a house’s roof design needn’t only be about practicality.
There are many different roofing designs, depending on geography, function, and aesthetics.
So, before you begin renovating your home, check out some of the most popular and attractive roof types and styles.
1. Gable Roof
Ah, the venerable gable roof.
This is, without a doubt, one of the most popular roof styles in the US. With its classic triangular shape, the gable roof really needs no introduction; it’s pretty easy to recognize.
The gable roof has many advantages, including the ease with which it sheds snow and rain. It also provides more ventilation and attic space, and it’s one of the easier roofing designs to build.
Keep in mind, though, that this might not be the best roof design in areas that are prone to hurricanes and high winds.
2. Hip Roof
The hip roof has slanted sides of equal length, forming a kind of truncated pyramid. The hip roof is inherently more stable than the gable roof.
This stability lends itself to areas with high winds, and it’s also great for places with excessive snowfall. Because of its slant, the snow easily slides off instead of accumulating.
However, hip roofs are more expensive to build than gable roofs and proper maintenance and upkeep is necessary.
3. Mansard Roof
The mansard roof, or French roof, is one of the flashier types of roofs, with a double slope on each side. The lower slope of the mansard roof is considerably steeper than the upper slope.
An attractive feature of the mansard roof is the fact that it allows for much more living space. It can be used to create a spacious attic or garret, and either open or closed dormers are popular with this roof design.
4. Gambrel Roof
If you’ve spent any time in New England or old Colonial America, then you’re familiar with the gambrel roof.
The gambrel is similar to the mansard, in that it has a double slope, with the lower slope being at a much steeper pitch than the upper. However, in the gambrel roof, this double sloping is confined to only two sides, rather than all four.
Also like the mansard, the gambrel is popular because of its roomy nature, which provides extra space for a loft or capacious attic.
5. Flat Roof
Admittedly, this one isn’t nearly as sexy as the other roof styles on this list.
But you shouldn’t overlook the flat roof. One of the major pluses of a flat roof is that it provides excellent outdoor patio and living space, and can easily be turned into an addition later on.
Flat roofs are also perfect for antenna installation, or the installation of heating and cooling units, without spoiling the overall aesthetic of the house.
Know Your Roof Types
So, there you have it. These are a few of the more popular and pleasing roof types.
If you’re redesigning or remodeling your home, do your research and find the roof design that is best suited to your needs and overall aesthetic. And be sure to check out our architecture section for more interesting articles.