what are the different kinds of roofs

13 Different Types of Roofs With Pictures There are many popular roofing designs and styles to choose from for your house; range from gable-style roofing, gambrel, pyramid, flat roof, hipped roofs, and many others. We are going to highlight different types of roofs with pictures below:

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What is the best type of roof for a house?

What Are the Top Rated Roofing Shingles?

• Water-penetration is the first priority of a shingle.
• Special climate = special type of shingle.
• Learn about single code restrictions. ...
• Architecture accountability – make it look like it fits.
• Shape and color to match your home are equally important, as the first point.
• View shingles in real life under various lighting conditions.

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What is the most durable type of roof?

What Roof Material Is Most Durable and Long Lasting?

• Composite Asphalt Shingles. Found on 80% of homes in America, composite asphalt shingles are surprisingly durable. ...
• Wood Shake Roof. Not to be confused with the thinner wooden shingles, shakes are thicker, stronger, and slightly more expensive.
• Standing Seam Metal Roof. ...
• Cement or Clay Tile Roofing. ...
• Slate Tile Roofing. ...
• Bottom Line. ...

What type of roofing is best?

Which Type Of Roofing Is Best?

• Metal Roofing. Metal roofing comes both in shingles and panels. ...
• Asphalt Roofing. Asphalt roofs are one of the best options as they are effective in most weather conditions. ...
• Solar Tiles. ...
• Green Roofs. ...
• Stone Coated Steel. ...

What is the best roof?

• MetalWorks (Tamko)
• PermaLock
• AlumaLock
• InterLock
• Matterhorn (CertainTeed)
• Decra

What are the 3 main types of roofs?

Three Common Roof Designs and Their AdvantagesHip. A hip roof has slopes on all of its sides. The roof doesn't have even a single vertical side. ... Gable. A gable roof features two sloping sides that meet at the top to form a ridge. ... Flat. A flat roof has an extremely low pitch and is almost horizontally level.

What are the 4 types of roofs?

4 Types of RoofsGable Roof. This roof type is known for its distinguishable triangular shape feature. ... Mansard Roof. This roof type was adapted from the French and has a much steeper lower slope. ... Flat Roof. This roof type may not be entirely flat but have a low-sloped pitch that makes them appear flat. ... Hip Roof.

What are 6 types of roofs?

Six Roof Designs and StylesGable. Two slopes that form a ridge characterize the most common roof shape – the gable roof. ... Flat. A flat roof is just what it sounds like and is a very standard frame for modern homes. ... Hip. A hip roof has slopes on all four sides. ... Gambrel. ... Mansard. ... Salt Box.

What are the 2 most common roof types?

5 Most Common Types of Roofs Used on Residential HomesAsphalt Shingles. Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material for homeowners today. ... Metal Roofing. This type of roof is becoming more and more common. ... Ceramic Tiles. ... Slate Shingles. ... Wood/Cedar Shake Shingles. ... Conclusion. ... Related Article.

What type of roofing is best?

Relatively lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install, asphalt shingles are the best choice for most houses. They come in sheets that are layered on a roof to give the illusion of more expensive single shingles, such as cedar and slate, that are installed one shingle at a time.

What is the most common roof type?

The most common residential roofing material used in the United States, asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install. These shingles can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials (cellulose) without changing the appearance of the shingle.

What is the cheapest roof to build?

Generally, a gable-style roof with asphalt roofing shingles is one of the most affordable roofs you can build on a residential home. Asphalt shingles typically cost $1 to $2 per square foot, excluding installation costs. Simplifying your roof design and lowering its pitch can also help you save money.

What are the five main types of roof styles?

The aforementioned styles – gable roofs, hip roofs, jerkinhead roofs, mansard roofs, gambrel roofs, and saltbox roofs – are all pitched roofs.

How many different roof styles are there?

If you are not sure about what type of roof design or roof style you have, below are 13 different types of roofs.

What are the 4 most popular types of residential roofing?

One of the biggest decisions you'll make is choosing the type of roofing material....The 4 Most Popular Types of Roofing Materials for Residential...Asphalt shingles. ... Standing seam metal roofing. ... Synthetic (composite) shingles. ... Cedar shake shingles.

What are new houses roofs made of?

Most new homes have a roof made of tiles or slate laid over a waterproof, breathable membrane that keeps your home watertight. There are often vents built into the roof to allow air to move freely through your loft space, reducing the likelihood of condensation and damp.

What is a standard roof called?

GABLE ROOF Also known as pitched or peaked roof, gable roofs are some of the most popular roofs in the US. They are easily recognized by their triangular shape.

What are the five main types of roof styles?

The aforementioned styles – gable roofs, hip roofs, jerkinhead roofs, mansard roofs, gambrel roofs, and saltbox roofs – are all pitched roofs.

What is a 4 sided roof called?

A mansard roof is a four-sided gambrel roof, with each side having a double slope of one steep slope, and one shallow upper slope. Mansard roofs are a popular option for buildings wishing to maximise the amount of living space in the building, providing the option to use the loft as an additional living space.

What type of roof is cheapest?

Asphalt ShinglesAsphalt Shingles Asphalt is the cheapest of all roofing materials in the market and will last you between 15 to 30 years. This is the best option for homeowners facing budgetary constraints. It is also widely available and comes in a variety of colors.

What is the cheapest style roof to build?

The cheapest roof design is a roof with just hips, which are the sloping part, while the gable is the triangular bit on the end of the roof. A lot of subdivisions require a roof with hips and gables (rather than just a hip roof) so that is the most common form of roof construction.

What Is A Hip Roof?

Hip roofs or hipped roofs are perhaps the second most common type of roof after gable roofs.

What materials are used for a gable roof?

Basic gable roofs can use all types of roofing materials, including but not limited to asphalt shingles, cedar shingles or shakes, slate, and clay or concrete tiles – especially if you are building a standard or basic gable roof. This versatility makes gable roofs even more cost-effective.

What is a Gable Roof or Gabled Roof?

A gable roof is the typical pitched triangular roof that you see on many houses in the U.S., and it’s probably what you think of when you picture what a suburban home looks like in most states with the standard peaked roof lines.

What is a Jerkinhead Roof?

If you see a roof that combines design elements from both gable and hip roofs, chances are that it is a jerkinhead roof.

What is a Mansard Roof?

Mansard roofs or French roofs are a style of roof originally designed by architect Francois Mansert (hence the name) that is made up of four double sloped sides that meet to form a low-pitched roof in the middle.

What is a Gambrel Roof?

Gambrel roofs – also referred to as barn roofs or barn-style roofs – are similar to mansard roofs in several ways.

What is a Saltbox Roof?

Saltbox roofs are commonly found on earlier Colonial or Cape Cod-style homes, and they are characterized by their distinctive asymmetrical design.

What material should I use for a flat roof?

Pro Tip: Flat roofs (low-slope) are particularly vulnerable to leaks, so they must be thoroughly waterproofed and topped with an appropriate material, such as a self-adhered, multi-ply, SBS modified bitumen membrane system, a PVC, TPO or rubber membrane.

How much of the exterior of a house is roof?

Depending on a home’s architecture, a roof can potentially make up 40% of the exterior, often playing a big role in its overall look and curb appeal. So, when the time comes to install a new roof, you’ll want to pick roofing materials and shingle colors that work well with the shape and slope of your roof, as well as complement your home’s exterior ...

Why add windows to a gambrel roof?

Adding windows to the sides of the gambrel roof can bring natural light in and increase the use of the upper story. Gambrel Roof Illustration. The steep sections of gambrel roofs are very visible, so homeowners should carefully consider the appearance of their roofing shingles.

What is a Dutch gable roof?

The Dutch gable roof is another combination style roof that uses design elements of both gable and hip roofs. A miniature gable roof, or “gablet”, is perched atop a traditional hip roof.

What is the slope of a roof?

The slope of your roof has both a practical and aesthetic function. Water from rain or snow, for example, tends to shed, or run off, quicker on a steep slope roof. The roof’s slope is expressed in a ratio based on the roof’s proportions.

Why do some homes have flat roofs?

Additionally, some home additions may use a flat roof to provide extra second floor living space. Keep in mind flat doesn’t really mean flat —there needs to be some incline to allow for water drainage.

How many sides does a hip roof have?

A traditional hip roof consists of four equal-length slopes that meet to form a simple ridge. There are variations, though, such as a half-hip that features two shorter sides with eaves.

What is the most common roof used on a house?

Gable is probably the most common roof used on houses. It starts at the peak of the house and then slants down. So if you like the traditional style of a roof, then this would be the one for you. Especially if you live in a climate where you get a lot of rain or snow.

What is the most common roofing style in EA?

Gable and hipped roofing styles (or a mixture of the two) are the most common in EA and least expensive to install making them very popular among the home-owners.

How many sides does a pyramid roof have?

The pyramid roof design is a simple pyramid, with four sloping sides that are symmetrical.

What is sawtooth roof?

Similar to a saw blade, the sawtooth roof has multiple parallel pitches followed by a parallel vertical surface. This roof design was traditionally an industrial building roof style (seen on many warehouses) but it is now being used frequently in residential buildings.

What buildings have dome roofs?

Modern buildings that have dome roofs are religious buildings, government/legislative buildings, and functional structures like stadiums.

Where did dome roofs originate?

Dome Roof. The dome roof can be traced back to the early Mesopotamia which explains the large use throughout various cultures. The architectural line of the roof goes back to pre-historic times where natural earth materials were used like mud and stone. The symbolic side reflects mortuaries and religious buildings.

What is bonnet roof?

The bonnet roof is a double sloped roof with a lower slope at a lesser angle than the higher slope. This is ideal for a home with a large open porch area.

What is roof tile made of?

A roof tile is an individual roofing unit made out of fired clay or another material that resembles fired clay tile in appearance and strength (mainly concrete).

What is a roofing panel?

Essentially, a roofing panel is a large, rigid or semi-rigid roofing unit formed from some type of sheet material.

What is the oldest waterproofing material?

One of the oldest waterproofing materials known, bitumen (which in the roofing industry today refers to both asphalt and coal tar pitch) formed the great bulk of all flat roofing installed in the 20th century.

What are shingles made of?

While shingles can, strictly speaking, be made out of clay or concrete, shingles made from those materials are conventionally referred to as “tiles”.

Why are shingles so attractive?

Attractive due to their light weight, good water-resistance, and most of all their low cost, these shingles are produced in a huge variety of colors, styles, and thicknesses.

When were asphalt shingles invented?

First manufactured in the early 1900’s after someone had the bright idea to cut up asphalt roll roofing into shingle-sized pieces, asphalt shingles are now the most popular type of steep-slope roofing in North America by far.

What is sheet metal shingle?

These sheet metal shingles tend to be the size of a 3-tab strip shingle, and are usually formed to mimic the texture of slate or wood shingles.

What is the most common roofing material?

One, if not the most common roofing type is the asphalt shingle. As they are effective in all environments. They pass a variety of durability tests, starting with wind, rain, and heat.

What Is the Cheapest Type of Roof?

Another category in which asphalt shingles wins is cost. In any case, asphalt shingles are the cheapest roof type to install.

What Is the Best Roof for High Winds?

What the best for winds speeds ranging from 50 mph to 150 mph ? No problem with metal roofing. If installed correctly, metal does an exemplary job at keeping water out, and the wind away. A metal roof has a limited amount of seams and overlaps, making wind practically incapacitated when trying to get in.

What Are the Top Rated Roofing Shingles?

In some cases, top-rated does not equal the best. So before we take a look at the top-rated, let’s remind you of a roofing checklist to help you decide.

How long does rubber roofing last?

A rubber slate roofing looks like any other roof, except it can be cut with a regular knife and fit any shape and size. These can last over 100 years but are easily damaged like a regular slate roofing.

How long does terra cotta roof last?

This type of roofing can last over 50 years, making it a very lucrative opportunity for generational homes in foreign countries. Not to mention that a terra-cotta/ceramic roofing is specifically designed for maximum air circulation. The tiles are curved and help keep the inside of a home cooler.

How long does a clay roof last?

On average, clay and concrete roofing can hold up for a minimum of 50 years. However, it can really extend the top-end, going over 150 years in some cases. The technology keeps advancing, making the tiles lighter and tougher and practically indestructible in regular roofing conditions.

What is roof style?

We talk endlessly about roofing materials, colors, trends, and cost, but roof style is what really ties all of the pieces together and makes the roof. The roof style combines visual and structural elements to create the ultimate roof design to boost your curb appeal and reach your desired aesthetic. The roof style you choose can completely transform the exterior of your home. We’ll be going over dozens of roof styles loved by architects and builders alike.

What is a hip roof?

A hip roof is one in which all slopes of the roof angle down. They are similar to your basic gable, pitched roof but with the front and back, or sides, with a slope as well. To envision that, a square or rectangle-shaped house would have a hip roof that resembles a pyramid with the two sides and front and back all sloping downwards. You’ll often find hip roofs installed on french colonial-style homes or single-story ramblers. But, they would work on any number of types of homes.

What is a skillion roof?

A skillion roof is like a shed or lean-to roof in that it contains a steep, single slope rather than two points meeting in the middle. However, skillion roofs will often have a second slope on the other side of a varying height or angle. They create a very unique and modern look that not only transforms the exterior of a home but the interior as well. It’s a dynamic shape that can bring light and space into areas otherwise lacking with a standard pitched roof.

What is a mansard roof?

Often an entire floor is fitted in a mansard roof, with dormer windows along the sides. Mansard roofs were most popular on large homes, buildings, or mansions built after 1850. Most common in second empire style buildings, the mansard roof was a way to add another living quarters without adding another actual story to the home’s structure.

What does a saltbox roof look like?

A saltbox roof looks like a few different types of roofs melded together. It has a high slope like that of a Skillion or Shed roof but still comes to a peak in the center , with a shorter, less steep slope in the back. This style can give the illusion of a larger home and create more space on one side of the house vs. the other.

What is a gambrel roof?

A gambrel roof is the type of roof you’ll see on a red barn. It has a pitched low slope angle on top that runs down to two panels that run down the side of the house creating a sort of four-sided structure. Kind of like a mansard, gambrels utilize a wide, low slope to make more head space in the structure. That’s often why they are used in barns, so that the hay loft can utilize the space for storage of bails and other farm equipment.

What is a jerkinhead roof?

A jerkinhead roof is quite similar to a hip roof in that the two sides come to a point, but then the ends are much shorter, clipped angles on the ends of the peak. Standard gables can be susceptible to wind damage and even wind lifting the roof off of its structure. The clipped ends of a jerkinhead roof can help protect your roof against strong wind damage.