Top 10 Most Common Types of Roof Designs
Gable Roof
Hip Roof
Flat Roof
Dormer Roof
Dutch Roof
Butterfly Roof
Bonnet Roof
Gambrel Roof
Mansard Roof
Skillion Roof
1. Gable Roof
One of the most popular types of roof designs are gable roofs, which have various varieties including front & cross gable. Children's drawings typically use a standard gable design, which is a straightforward triangle with two sides that meet at the middle's highest point.
The design of a sloping gable roof is most effective & outstanding in locations with considerable rainfall and snowfall; nevertheless, it is less suitable in areas with frequent strong winds.
PROS ✔️
Gable roofs will easily shed water and snow, provide more space for the attic or vaulted ceilings, and allow more ventilation. Their inherently simple design makes it easy to build them and cheaper than more complex designs.
CONS ❌
Gable roofs can be problematic in high wind and hurricane areas. If the frames are not properly constructed with adequate supports, the roof can collapse.
2. Hip Roof
Another common roof shape is the hip roof, which comes in a variety of forms, including crossing and pyramidal hip roofs. Four sides with the same pitch that rise to meet in the center make up the most basic hip roof style.
Hip roofs are a safer option for areas that experience storms and heavy winds due to their high wind resistance and greater structural stability compared to gable roofs.
PROS ✔️
Hip roofs are more stable than gable roofs. The inward slope of all four sides is what makes it more sturdy and durable.
They are excellent for both high wind and snowy areas. The slant of the roof allows snow to easily slide off with no standing water.
Hip roofs can offer extra living space with an addition of a dormer or a crow’s nest.
CONS ❌
Hip roofs are more expensive to build than a gable roof. It’s a more complex design that requires more building materials. Also, with the addition of a dormer, additional seams can make it easier for the water leaks to form in the valleys, if a roofing system is not properly installed.
3. Flat Roof
The majority of flat roofs are actually low-sloped roofs that look level but contain a little slope to accommodate runoff water. A roof's pitch needs to be less than 5% in order for it to be deemed flat.
This modest slope or pitch enables for better water drainage, one of the primary issues of this style of roofing. The flat roof directs the water into a drain as opposed to allowing it to escape, as is the case with pitched roofs. Using waterproofing materials that ensure maximum watertightness is consequently crucial. Low slope roofs are therefore more typical in arid climates with minimal rainfall.
PROS✔️
Extra living space on the roof for a patio, garden or partially enclose for a penthouse room. Heating and cooling units can also be placed on flat roofs, keeping them out of sight. – This is especially common practice in commercial roof designs.
The design is also conducive for installing PV solar panels for a more energy efficient and energy independent home. Flat roofs are easier to construct than pitched roofs and require fewer building materials, keeping costs down.
CONS ❌
The low pitch makes flat roofs more susceptible to water leakage. They are not advised for high rainfall or high snowfall areas.
Although the upfront cost of building a flat roof is less expensive than a pitched roof, they can be more expensive in the long run due to maintenance and ongoing roof repair and replacement costs.
4. Dormer Roof
Dormers are more like roof additions to existing structures. There's a window and a roof that protrudes from the roof's natural slope, with various roof shapes like gable, hipped, and flat. Useful space is created out of the roof by a functional dormer, which also increases headroom and natural light.
PROS ✔️
Allows for more natural light and improved ventilation
Gives your home some extra curb appeal
Creates unique little nooks in the upper floor of your home
Increases functionality and space in your attic
CONS ❌
Creates more joints that require flashing and sealant
Complicated installation
Won’t work with just any roof or home style
5. Dutch Roof
Dutch roofs are a combination of hip and gable styles. Dutch roofs feature a gable on top of a hip-shaped roof. As opposed to their parent roof types, Dutch roofs can let in more natural sunlight and provide more storage space
PROS ✔️
Allow more natural sunlight in
Can be used as a larger attic space or additional living space
Works with most roofing materials
CONS ❌
Requires more materials
Has more joints that can leak if not properly sealed
Lower pitched gablets can collect snow and ice
Requires more maintenance
6. Butterfly Roof
The butterfly roof, commonly referred to as a V-roof, is an extremely stylish and contemporary style in which the roof dips inward. The roof is a gable roof turned upside down.
It is linked to modern architecture from the mid-20th century in the United States and got its name from how much it resembles a butterfly's wings.
Although this kind of roof lets in lots of light and airflow, it has drainage issues with rains. Rain is gathered and directed toward a drain, just like with flat roofs.
PROS ✔️
The upper angles allow larger windows and give the room more natural light
The rainwater collected at the midsection is efficient for drought areas
Great for eco-friendly home design because it allows the installation of PV solar collection and water barrels
CONS ❌
Complex and costly to build and maintain
Not ideal for heavy rain and snow
7. Bonnet Roof
COST: $15,000 - $30,000
Bonnet roofs, also known as kicked eaves, are double sloped with the lower slope set at less of an angle than the upper slope. It’s like a reverse Mansard.
The lower slope hangs over the side of the house. This overhang is an excellent cover for an open porch.
Bonnet roofs are not commonly used roofs in modern houses. They were mainly used in French Vernacular and can be seen in regions of Louisiana and Mississippi.
PROS ✔️
The overhang can provide shelter for a porch
Water easily runs off and the overhang protects the walls from water issues
Very durable
The upper slope is good for vaulted ceilings or an attic space
CONS ❌
The complex design requires more building materials and it’s more difficult to construct. This makes the bonnet roof more expensive than other, more simple designs.
Although water easily runs off the slopes, valleys are formed where the two slopes meet. This can cause snow and water to pool. Extra precaution is needed to waterproof these areas.
8. Gambrel Roof
A Gambrel or a barn roof, is much like mansard in a sense that it has two different slopes. The difference between the two is that the Gambrel only has two sides, while the mansard has four.
Similar to mansard, the lower side of the Gambrel roof has an almost vertical, steep slope, while the upper slope is much lower.
Gambrels are not only seen on top of barns, farmhouses, and log cabins. They are also seen on Dutch Colonial and Georgian style homes, as well.
PROS ✔️
Much like the mansard, the Gambrel provides extra living space for a garret, attic, or loft. Plus, it’s simple to frame out.
The Gambrel only uses two roof beams, along with gusset joints. Since the construction is quite simple with fewer materials needed, this helps to keep the cost of a roof down.
Gambrel roofs are also a great idea for outdoor sheds and storage buildings. Their shape can provide more storage without taking up more space
CONS ❌
The Gambrel roof is not recommended for heavy wind areas or regions that receive significant snowfall. The open design can cause the roof to collapse under extreme pressure.
Gambrel roofs also need to be constructed well, waterproofed at the ridges, and maintained on a regular basis. It’s a good idea to have a Gambrel roof inspected each year to check for damage from storms, heavy rainfall or snow.
Windows are recommended to add light to the extra space. This is both a pro and a con. While all details will add to the overall beauty of a home, they increase chances for water leaks to occur.
9. Mansard Roof
It is a French design and is more difficult to build than the hip or gable roof. The mansard roof actually features two slopes within one on each side.
The bottom part of the roof slope is steeper so that the pitch of the roof barely starts. This allows more room on the inside and in most cases creates an extra space.
PROS ✔️
Elegant and sophisticated aesthetic
Increased space in the attic or top floor
Increased natural light
Works well on homes or apartment buildings
CONS ❌
High installation costs
High maintenance and repair costs
Not as weather-resistant as other types of roofs
Prone to leaks and water damage
10. Skillion Roof
Skillion roofs are similar to a shed roof in such a way that they both have a single flat surface with a steep and noticeable pitch. However, unlike the latter, skillion roofs can come in numerous planes—for example, the butterfly roof, with an inverted “V” shape, is known as a variation of the skillion roof.
Skillions add a modern touch to any architecture, which is why many homeowners choose this roofing type. They are an excellent choice for buildings in rainy and snowy regions, as their steep slope allows water and snow to shed easily.
PROS ✔️
Cost: Skillion roofs are very simple to design and construct, and their simple structure makes for a cheaper roofing option
Simple Addition: Their easy-to-build and lean-to design makes Skillion roofs a great choice for adding to a home.
CONS ❌
Loss of Storage Space: The sloped nature of the Skillion roof limits the access and space available in an attic for storage
Wind Can Be a Problem: As you can imagine, a Skillion roofs slope can act as a sail, creating issues for anyone living in a high wind or tornado-prone region.
