There are many types of roof designs each having its own advantage over the other. Each roof design is specifically designed to accommodate different types or specific type of weather. Below are the different types and designs of a roof that can help you decide which roof would best work for your need:

Roof Designs

Gable roof

Gable roof is a well-known roof design that is popular in most residential houses. It has two similar sized surfaces that are leaning back to back on a similar angle creating a triangular shaped roof. It is a simple and cost efficient roof design which efficiently discards rain water and offers quality ventilation.

Gable roof design is not suitable for high wind places. Additional bracing is recommended to reinforce your roof framing and ensure that your roof stays in place even with severe winds. Check with your local building inspector whether your roof is sufficient enough for your area.

Mansard Type Roof Styles

Mansard roof style became popular in the mid 1800’s as an element of the Victorian style architecture. It was initially introduced in the year 1600’s in France and was named after architect Francois Mansart.

Mansard roof is composed of two specifically different slopes on each side. Dormers are attached on the steep pitch of the roof’s lower portion. The roof’s upper portion has a short slope that is adequate enough to let rain water runoff.

Mansard roof’s design provides a spacious attic - called garret that is big enough to be considered as another story of the house. This type of roof design is not applicable for places with snow, as heavy snow tends to build-up on the low slope straining the roof’s braces.

Hipped Type Roof Styles

Hipped roof is composed of roofs sloped down on all sides to meet the walls of the house. This type of roof provides more protection space for the house. Hip roofs are very suitable for high winds and hurricane prone areas. This is because of the strong bracing structure they are built with.

Hipped roofs have limited roof space which makes it difficult to clean and maintain.

Saltbox Type Roof Style

Saltbox type roof is a very popular type of roof in the 1600’s. It was named after the lidded wooden boxes used to hold salt. This type of roof was specifically designed to provide additional space on cramped colonial houses.

Gambrel Type Roof Styles

Gambrel type of roof was widely used by the Dutch from 1700’s. The name gambrel came from the word gamba which means hoof of an animal in Latin.

Gambrel roof is very similar to mansard roof. It too has two specifically different slopes. Though gambrel roof slopes are only provided on two sides and not on all four sides like mansard. It is commonly used for hay barns as it provides a spacious storage space that is very useful.

Flat Roof Type

Flat roof type is the easiest and most cost effective type of roof. It has a very minimal sloping structure to accommodate rain water. This roof structure has expected lifespan of 10-20 years and is often damaged by pooling water left to accumulate overtime.

Flat roofs are not advisable for places with rain or snow.

Remember that roof types and roof designs are not just for aesthetic purposes. Its main purpose would be to protect your house from damaging elements of weather. It is important that you get the right design for your type of weather as this would also greatly affect the lifespan of your house’s roof.