5 Different Types of Roofs You Can Choose For Your Home

What is one of the most important, if not the most important, aspect to a home? The roof, of course! Your roof is vital because it protects everything underneath from the weather elements. Not only does your roof keep you protected, but it can also add style to your home. You may just think that there is only one type of roof but there are many different styles and gradations of each. Let’s explore five different types of roofs for your home.

Mansard Roof

This particular style of roof is French. It’s comprised of four slopes with two on each side of the home. The lower slope is a steeper and more vertical slope than the upper slope. And, the upper slope is sometimes visible from the ground. The main perk to this type of roof is the storage space it allows and the possibility for additional living space at the top of the house. This roofing option is unique, yet practical.

Saltbox Roof

For those on the adventurous side, this is the roofing style to look into. It looks quite contemporary from the exterior. It’s an asymmetrical, long pitched roof complete with one very long side and one short side. This sometimes results in a home that is two stories in height on one side and one story on the other side.

Flat Roof

If the Saltbox Roof sounded too quirky for you, the Flat Roof option is the complete opposite. It is exactly what it sounds like: flat and simple. This option is easy to construct, and safe and accessible if you need to climb to the top. However, it will require more maintenance than other roofs because debris will start to pile up with nowhere to go.

Pyramid Roof

Just like this type sounds, this roof is shaped like a pyramid. It’s usually used on small portions of homes or small structures such as a garage or pool house. There are a couple different similar roofs with variations such as the Hip Roof and the Bonnet Roof. With the Hip Roof, instead of coming to a point at the top like the Pyramid Roof, the four sides come together at a ridge. Also, the Bonnet Roof is different in that two of the sides slope out on an angle, which creates a covering.

Skillion Roof

Sometimes used on just a portion of the home, this type of roof is a single sloping surface. In order to wrap your mind around this style, think of it as a flat roof that has been inclined slightly or as half of a triangular roof. It can create a unique shape for part of your home’s exterior.

Gable Roof

Gable roofs can also be known as pitched or peaked roofs. These roofs are some of the most popular types and see a wide use in the U.S. Their triangle shapes make them easy to recognize. The advantage of gable roofs is that they easily shed water and snow, provide attic space or vaulted ceilings, and allow for better ventilation. Their easy design makes them affordable and easy to build. The only downside to these roofs is they do not hold up well in high wind or hurricane areas and can shed material in the face of high wind speed.

Hip Roof

hip roofs slope on all four sides and all sides are equal length and come together at the top to form a ridge. These roofs are more stable than others thanks to the inward slope of all four sides. They work well in areas that see high winds and now frequently. The addition of a dormer or a crow’s nest can also increase living space.

Jerkinhead Roof

Jerkinhead roofs combine elements from both gable and hip roofs. Sometimes these roofs are known as clipped gable roofs or English hip roofs. They are more stable than a regular gable roof; by clipping or turning the point down, the roof becomes more stable. They also provide more space than traditional hip roofs. However, while these roofs can have complex designs, the more complex the design the higher the costs.

Butterfly Roof

The butterfly roof uses a V-shape design constructed out of two tandem pieces which are angled up on the outside. This forms a valley at the center of the roof angled downward. This gives it the look of a butterfly spreading it’s wings in flight. This is a modern, Eco-friendly roof that is popular in tropical home designs. The outer edges’ upper slopes allow for larger windows to be used, giving the interior more natural light. This can lower heating bills in the winter. The valley can even collect water via a drain spout and water barrel. This is ideal for areas that are frequented by droughts. The downside to this Eco-friendly design is a more expensive upfront costs. When used in areas that see a lot of sunshine in combination with solar panels, you can offset these costs over a long term period.

To learn more about how Dowell Roofing can help you get the roof of your dreams, contact Joseph Dowell today at 615-584-3265.