How to Choose the Best Roof Shape for Your House

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Originally Posted On: https://meregate.com/how-to-choose-the-best-roof-shape-for-your-house/

In most cases, when people speak about curb appeal, the buzz words are landscaped front yard, covered porch, unique windows, door, shutters… How many times has the roof shape come up in a conversation? I’d say it’s rare, if not at all.

Time has passed to think of the roof as more than just a covering that shields a house and its occupants from the elements. The roof is much more than that, as a good roof can add a splash to a home and improve its curb appeal.
How does the type of roof contribute to the overall appearance and style of a home?

How do you select from the myriad of different roof shapes available – and be confident that it is the right one for your house? Here are some tips to consider that may help you choose a perfect roof shape for a new dream home.

Keep reading to learn.

Gable Roof

The gable roof shape features an inverted “V” and is popular in the US. It is the typical choice of a roof in cold and rainy areas.

The gable roofs have dormers built into them and can easily incorporate other styles too. The varying pitches and slopes allow the architects to get creative. It results in the creation of different variations like contemporary, colonial, and tudor.

Pros

• The gable roof easily sheds water, snow, and debris due to its shape
• Its simple design makes it easy and inexpensive to build
• Offers more space for the attic due to its high pitch and triangle tip
• Provides more ventilation
• Allows for a high ceiling house design

Cons

• The roof shape isn’t suitable for high winds or hurricane ties

• Material is highly vulnerable in bad weather because it can start to peel away

Hip Roof

The hip roof is an upgrade of the Gable roof with four faces instead of two. The four faces on a hipped roof come together at the top to form a ridge. Each of the sides, therefore, is of equal length.

The roof can take on different variations, including the half hip and Dutch Gable types. Each of the variations offers an exciting look that contributes to curb appeal. The ability that the roof has in angling down to the wall externally offers shady eaves.

Pros

• Hip roofs are sturdy and resistant to extreme weather conditions

• Dormers can also be added to the hip roof style if you need extra vertical space

• Better sloping and angling reduce the chances for water pooling and leaking

Cons

Hip roofs are more complex in structure thus expensive to build

Flat Roof

Going by the name, flat roofs look level with a low pitch. Even though they appear flat, they’re slightly inclined to water run-off drainage.

They’re popular in commercial and industrial complexes but are also great for your home. Flat roofs in homes allow for extra living space like a garden or a penthouse. The extra space also hosts other items such as HVAC, solar, and even boiler rooms.

Pros

• Offers creative room for different establishments like patio or gardens
• Easy and cost-effective to build than pitched roofs
• Easily accessible for residential roofing contractors when handling any repairs

Cons

• Not suitable for areas with high rainfall
• It can be costly to maintain in the long run
• Prone to water damage because of the limited slant design

Gambrel Roof

Also known as a barn roof, the gambrel roofing style is a symmetrical two-sided roof. There’s a roof with a shallow angle and the other with a vertical steep on each side. The roof maximizes the headroom while offering the advantages of a sloped roof.

Pros

• Allow for more usable space in the roof like lofts, attic, and garret
• Easy to frame since they only need limited materials

Cons

• The roof’s open design makes it unsuitable for strong winds or heavy snow
• Gambrel roofs also need regular maintenance and waterproofing at the ridges

Skillion or Shed Roof

The shed roof is also known as the lean-to roof because of the approach it uses. Skillion roofs have a single sloping roof attached to a tall external wall. It’s thus described as an angled flat roof allowing architects to focus on minimalist design.

Pros

• Require less building material and can be easy to assemble and build
• Their slope ensures easy draining of run-off water and snow
• Add anesthetic appeal to your home, making it stand out

Cons

• Unsuitable for areas experiencing high winds and bad weather
• Need proper planning so the high pitch doesn’t result in a low ceiling

Gull Wing or Butterfly Roof

The butterfly roof features a unique shape and looks like seagull wings in a flight, hence the name. The roof features an expansive flow making them ideal for contemporary homes. They’ve been widely used in modern home design since they’re visually stunning.

Pros

• Lowers energy bills by letting in more natural light; hence your home will be eco-friendly
• It offers the house a spacious and open feel
• Butterfly roofs make water collection easier, which you can use for other applications

Cons

• Features a complex design which is extremely expensive to build
• Water leakage is common with drainage clogging. The clogging may weaken the structure and cause the roof to collapse.
• Require high maintenance to be functional in the long run

Consider the Above List of Roof Shapes and Choose the Best for Your House

Your roof shape selection should be the right fit for your home to better the curb appeal. Choosing the right option is challenging, citing the different roof shape types available. Consider the above list of roof shapes and choose the best one for your house.

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