Each building has an architectural style. From Mediterranean to Gothic and American, all have unique elements and details that together form the uniqueness of the style. While some features are associated with a particular architectural style, certain roofing materials send to a specific trend.
Most people don’t think about roof types until they need to replace or build a new one. But the roof style affects the aesthetic and feel of the property, and if you want to sell the house, it can impact even the price. What’s most; it can also make the house more weather-proof and energy-efficient.
Have you ever asked what architectural style your roof is? Are you planning to build a new house? Do you need roof repairs? If the answer is yes, you should consider researching the type of roof your house is because it impacts the project’s cost.
You probably are aware of the most common types of roofs that are popular in your area, but you may not know their names and properties. This article will present the top six architectural styles of roofs, and what makes them unique.
Gable
Most US houses have a gable roof in a typical pitched triangular form. It’s the most common suburban roof throughout the states with a standard peaked line. Gable roofs come in many variations and are affordable to build because the shape is simple. For a basic gable roof, you can use any material from slate to clay, asphalt shingles, concrete tiles, and cedar shingles. Because it’s versatile and the constructor decides its features according to the style of the house it’s cost-effective. This architectural style is also popular because of this triangular shape that allows for attic storage.
Some houses have more complex gable roofs, like Dutch gables that contain valleys and hips and require the usage of metal or seam tiles to prevent leaks. For homes in cold areas with plenty of snow, it’s best the roof to have a 40-degree pitch angle. However, this type isn’t suitable for a zone with high winds or hurricanes because of its overhanging eaves.
So, if you choose a gable roof, use the right braces and make sure you construct solid supports for the frames. If you use a gable roof in high wind areas, it is important to schedule a roof inspection after a large storm to ensure no damage occurs, explained Ray Okoyo.
Hip
Hipped roofs are also popular and the main difference between them and gable ones is that the first variation is composed of slopes on four sides that come together to create a ridge at the top of the house. They are perfect for geographical areas with plenty of snow and ice because the position of the slope encourages precipitation to run off.
Because of their inward pitch on all their sides, hipped roofs are more stable than gable crowns. They also offer more shade because they have overhanging eaves on each side. Homeowners like these roofs because they have front gables that allow them to build dormers, entryways, porches, or nests. Hip covering also allows for storage construction.
You can find them in all standard materials like metal tiles, asphalt shingles, clay, or concrete tiles. To keep in mind that if you have a hip covering and need roofing repair Houston you must hire a certified constructor because it requires special maintenance and care.
Mansard
Also called French roofs, these crowns are made of four double sloped sides that meet at the top to form a low-pitched shape. Because they provide extra living space, they’re often used when the homeowner wants to add flexibility to a construction.
You can find the mansard roof in flat or curved sides, but the lower one always includes a steeper pitch than the upper side. Depending on the architecture of the house, these coverings can come in a variety of silhouettes, like convex, concave or straight angle. To bring light to the rooms placed in the mansard add dormer windows.
Mansards are more expensive than any other type of roofs because they include extra details. You can build them from any material, but if you want to add significant value to the house, use zinc, copper, or wood. This roofing isn’t ideal for houses placed in the northern areas.
Dormer
Dormers are also popular because they supply extra light and improve the general look of the house. The drawback is that these roofings also register more leaks, so they require regular inspections.
Dormers are easy to construct because they need only two roof beams and gusset joints. Usually, dormer coverings are made from slate, asphalt shingles or wood shingles, but you can also use metal shingles if you want to increase their durability.
Don’t build a gambrel roof with a dormer when living in an area with heavy snow, winds or windstorms because it can collapse under pressure. For houses in extreme weather, reinforcement is necessary to support the upper part of the roof.
Bonnet
The bonnet roof is the reverse of the mansard. It has a double slope, but the upper one has less of a pitch. The lower one hangs on the front and back of the building, and it can be used as a cover for an outdoor space. These coverings are rare in the USA, but they offer plenty of benefits like storage space under the roof, extra living spaces, dormer windows, and overhanging eaves.
The structure of the bonnet roof is more durable than the gable one. However, building and maintaining one is more expensive due to its complexity. You can construct it from any standard roof material including shakes, wooden shingles, metal shingles, or asphalt shingles.
Flat
At first glance, it may appear completely flat, but it has a slight pitch to allow water runoff. They are built from any material, but PVC, TPO and EPDM rubber are the most popular options. The most significant advantage when building a flat roof is that you can use it as a patio or deck. If the weather is warm in your area, it’s a wonderful addition during the summer.Â
Conclusion
The shape of the roof allows you to install PV solar panels and improve the energy-efficiency of the house. To make the property even more eco-friendly, convert it into a garden. You can build it like a green roof to add an extra layer of insulation to your house. And last, flat roofs are affordable because of their simple construction requirements.Â
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