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Top 10 Most Common Roof Shapes
Sep 26, 2017
*In alphabetical order
Bonnet Roof
Bonnet roofs were most common in 1700s buildings. A bonnet roof is made of two slopes, one upper steep slope, and another gentle lower one, in addition to four sides.
Pros |
Cons |
|
Added living space, attic, or vaulted ceiling provided by the upper slope |
Needs more building materials |
|
Added protection provided by overhanging eaves |
More difficult to construct |
|
Protects walls against water damage |
More expensive than other roofs |
Note:
Valleys can be formed where the slopes meet and can cause water and snow to pool. Homeowners should take precaution and make sure to waterproof this area.
Recommended Materials:
- Shingles
- Metal
- Natural stone
Butterfly Roof
A Butterfly roof adds a modern look for buildings with its inverted pitch roof angled upwards in a way that creates a V-shape. This style allows for larger walls and windows, and can easily collect rainwater using its middle channel.
Pros |
Cons |
|
Allows the use of larger windows |
Complicated to build |
|
Lets in more natural light, thus resulting in lower heating bills |
More expensive |
|
Allows the collection of rainwater in its valley |
Needs regular maintenance |
|
Environment-friendly, as it can incorporate PV solar panels and water collection systems |
Note:
Butterfly roofs need to be waterproofed and drainage systems need to be regularly unclogged.
Recommended Materials:
- Solid seamless membrane
- Metal
- Organic materials
- Solar panels
Complex Roof
Complex or combination roofs combine two or more shapes of roofs. They add a unique look for buildings and are usually used for aesthetic or practical reasons.
| Pros | Cons |
| Has great architectural interest | Can be very expensive depending on complexity |
| Gives homeowners the ability to use the best type of roof for each section of the home |
Adds several valleys and ridges, which creates weak points |
Flat Roof
Flat roofs are not actually flat; they are slightly pitched in order to drain water. Flat rooms are quite popular for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Added living space on the roof for a patio, garden, or a penthouse room | Exposed to water leakage |
| Provides pace for heating and cooling units | Requires regular maintenance |
| Can easily incorporate PV solar panels | |
| Easy to construct, therefore it is less expensive |
Recommended Materials:
Continuous seamless materials, such as:
Gable Roof
Gable roofs are commonly seen on Colonial-style houses, but they are getting increasingly popular in modern day buildings. They are identified by the roof ridge that comes in line with the building’s entrance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can easily discard water and snow | Does not perform well in high winds and hurricanes |
| Added space for an attic or vaulted ceilings | |
| Allows for more ventilation | |
| Easy to construct, therefore it is less expensive |
Recommended Materials:
- Asphalt shingles
- Metal
- Tile
- Slate
- Wood
Gambrel Roof
Gambrel roofs have two symmetrical sides, a shallow upper section, and steep low slopes on each side. This design is usually seen in barns, as it maximizes the loft space inside the building.
| Pros | Cons |
| Added living space, attic, garret, or loft | Does not perform well in high winds and hurricanes |
| Easy to construct, therefore it is less expensive | Needs regular maintenance |
Recommended Materials:
- Wooden shingles
- Asphalt shingles
- Slate shingles
- Metal
Hip Roof
Hip roofs are very popular, mainly due to their simplicity. They can be identified by their four symmetrical sides, gentle slopes, and the fact that the roof faces have identical pitches.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very stable, sturdy and durable | Expensive to build |
| Performs well in high wind and snowy areas | |
| Added living space |
Recommended Materials:
- Shingles
- Metal
- Tiles
Mansard Roof
Mansard roofs are similar to gambrel roofs, apart from the fact that they are four-sided. Each of the four sides has two slopes, a steep and a shallow one.
| Pros | Cons |
| Added living space, attic, garret, or loft | Does not perform well in areas of heavy snowfall |
| Allows for future home additions |
Recommended Materials:
For the steep portions:
- Metal
- Copper
- Zinc
- Asphalt shingles
For other portions:
- Ceramic tiles
- Clay tiles
- cement tiles
Saltbox Roof
Saltbox roofs are usually seen in colonial-style houses as well as in industrial buildings and garages. Can be recognized by their asymmetrical design; as one side is a sloping flat roof, and the other is at a steep angle.
| Pros | Cons |
| Water runs off easily | Difficult to construct, therefore it’s more expensive |
| Durable and strong | |
| Added living space |
Shed Roof
Also known as a Skillion roof, this roof has one flat surface at a steep angle, that allows water to run off easily.
| Pros | Cons |
| Water runs off easily | Can be problematic in areas with high wind |
| Excellent for areas of high rain and snow | |
|
Easy to construct |
Recommended Materials:
- Tiles
- Asphalt shingles
- Metal
- Standing seam panels
