List of Roof Shapes: Traditional to Unique Designs

Roof shapes come in a wide variety of designs, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. A gable roof, for example, is one of the most traditional and common roof shapes, featuring two sloping sides that meet at a ridge.

A gable roof can be found on many homes, particularly those in the colonial style. Its simplicity and ease of construction make it a popular choice for builders.

Hip roofs, on the other hand, have four sloping sides that all meet at the top, providing excellent protection from the elements. They are often used on homes with a more modern or contemporary design.

The steep pitch of a hip roof allows snow to slide off easily, making it a great choice for areas with heavy snowfall.

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A gable roof is a common and simple roof shape that uses two slopes to form a triangle. It's less expensive and easier to install than other options.

A gable roof can shed water and snow easily, making it a great choice for areas with heavy rainfall or snowfall. This is because of its triangular shape, which allows water and debris to flow off without trouble.

Gable roofs can be prone to storm damage, especially if there's a significant overhang. This means that the portion of the roof edge that sticks out beyond the house siding could be torn off entirely in high winds.

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Box gable roofs are a type of roofing that has triangular extensions at each face of the house, with the roof boxed at the end.

These extensions give box gable roofs a more pronounced triangular shape than regular gable roofs. Box gable roofs can be covered with almost any roofing material, such as asphalt shingles, concrete tiles, cedar shakes, and metal panels.

They are a popular choice for American Colonial, Cottage, and Craftsman homes, and can be used in a variety of architectural styles. Box gable roofs are also a good option for areas with cold weather conditions, providing a stable design that deals well with rain and snow.

The triangular extensions on box gable roofs are boxed off from the walls, creating a unique and recognizable shape.

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Dropped eaves roofs have two slopes at the center, much like a saltbox roof. Their slanting side on the front has steep eaves, hence their name.

This slope results in rooms with slanted ceilings, increasing its appeal among many homeowners. It also helps direct water efficiently to the gutters and downspouts, preventing standing water that could damage the roof materials.

Dropped eaves roofs are often covered in shingles. They are typically seen in many traditional homes across the United States.

Flat roofs are not exactly flat, but rather have a slight incline to prevent water from collecting on the top. This slope is often considered to be 3-in-12 or less by the National Roofing Contractors Association.

Flat roofs are mainly used on commercial buildings due to their simplicity and practicality, but many contemporary homes now use flat roof styles. They can be used for restaurants, additional tenant space, and even roof-top gardens.

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However, flat roofs can experience significant heat loss, especially if not properly insulated. Up to 25% of thermal transmission can occur through the roof in uninsulated homes.

Flat roofs are commonly used for industrial and commercial buildings, such as offices and warehouses. They're also a popular roof type for homes, perfect for a roof-top garden.

Flat roofs are completely flat with a very small pitch to allow water to drain off, preventing water damage. They're also a cost-effective option for some homes.

Flat roofs come with plenty of advantages, including the amount of space on top for a patio, garden, or sun deck. They're also quite easy to construct and design.

Flat roofs are susceptible to water leakage, requiring more repairs than other roof shapes. They must be waterproofed with the right material to prevent major issues from arising.

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Jerkinhead roofs offer more attic space and greater wind stability than a standard hip roof.

This roof type has a complicated design, making it more expensive to build than a standard gable or hip roof.

The name "jerkinhead" likely owes its name to the Scottish word “kirk-head,” which means “church roof,” suggesting that this was used as the roof of choice for old Scottish churches or places of worship.

Jerkinhead roofs, also known as clipped gables or snub gables, are essentially a gable roof with the two peaked ends clipped off.

The clipped ends reduce potential wind damage to the home, making the roof more stable.

The clipped ends also provide more headroom in the loft than a traditional hip roof.

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The simple hip roof is a classic choice for many homes. It features symmetrical gentle slopes towards the walls, with no gables or vertical sides to the roof.

The defining feature of hip roofs is that the roof faces are almost always identical in pitch, making them symmetrical from the centre point. This symmetry creates a sense of balance and harmony in the overall design of the house.

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Hip roofs are often preferred for their simplicity and ease of construction. They can be a great option for homeowners who want a low-maintenance roof that's easy to clean and repair.

The symmetrical design of hip roofs also makes them a popular choice for homes with a rectangular or square shape. This is because the roof's slope helps to create a sense of continuity and flow with the rest of the house's design.

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Adding an extension to your home can be a great way to increase space and value, but it requires careful consideration of your roof's design. A gable roof with a shed roof addition is a popular alteration that provides more headroom and space for an extension without altering the existing roof.

This design is a great option for homeowners who want to add a room or an office without completely renovating their roof. Some gable roof designs have a shed roof addition on the side, which can be a cost-effective solution.

A shed roof addition can be a good choice for homeowners who want to add a small extension to their home. It's a relatively simple design that can be built on top of an existing gable roof.

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Gable roofs are some of the most common roofing types seen in many homes worldwide.

They're easily identifiable due to their typical triangular or inverted “V” shape.

Many homeowners prefer gable roofs because they shed water and snow easily.

Gable roofs also allow for more attic ventilation.

They're cheaper and easier to build than other roofing types.

Gable roofs can be covered with virtually any material, including asphalt shingles, slate, concrete tiles, and metal.

One downside is that gable roofs are prone to storm damage, especially if there is a significant overhang.

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Gable roofs are a common and simple roof shape, using two slopes that come together to form a triangle.

This design is less expensive and easier to install compared to other roof shapes, making it a popular choice for many homeowners.

Gable roofs allow water and debris to flow off without trouble, preventing major damage to your home.

However, gable roofs can struggle against high winds, especially if the construction is not done properly.

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Too much overhang, the portion of the roof edge that sticks out beyond the house siding, can lead to significant damage or even be torn off entirely.

To minimize or eliminate these cons, gable roofs must be constructed properly, just like other roof styles.

For larger residential homes, two gable roofs may need to be constructed to provide additional support and depth.

Gable roofs use two slopes that come together to form a triangle, making them a simple and less expensive option to install and design.

A gable roof's design allows for easy drainage, preventing major damage to your home. However, it struggles against high winds, primarily for roofs that aren’t constructed properly.

A-frame roofs are great at resisting harsh weather, including high winds and pouring rain, due to their steep slopes. They can last longer against the elements compared to other roofs.

A-frame roofs aren't as common as other designs, mainly due to their arguably awkward design, which can reduce the amount of usable square feet in your home.

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Gambrel roofs are often described as “barn roofs” because they are often seen on top of barns, farmhouses, and log cabins. They help provide more storage within a building.

A gambrel roof's lower slope has a much steeper pitch, while the upper side has a gentler one, making it a unique design compared to other roof shapes.

Steep roof slopes allow for the free flow of water, snow, and other debris, preventing water damage to your roof. The steeper the slope, the more attic space you’ll have, as well.

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The A-Frame roof shape is a simple and less expensive design that serves as both the roof and two of the four exterior walls. It's a great option for those looking to save on construction costs.

A-Frame roofs can be found worldwide, but they're particularly popular in Europe, North America, China, and the South Pacific islands, such as the Maori community meeting house called marae. This design has been around for centuries and gained popularity in the 1950s.

The steeply-angled roofline of an A-Frame roof allows for easy drainage and can resist harsh weather, including high winds and pouring rain. This is due to its simple construction and steep slopes.

One of the drawbacks of A-Frame roofs is that they can reduce the amount of usable square feet in your home due to their arguably awkward design. This can be a concern for homeowners looking to maximize their living space.

A-Frame roofs are essentially a gable roof with two asymmetrical slopes, one longer than the other. This design can make it more difficult to heat your home, especially in colder climates, as heat rises and can accumulate in the upstairs or attic.

A bell roof is a classic choice for vintage-looking structures, often found on Colonial-era churches and schools, as well as classic homes like Tudor, Victorian, Queen Anne, and Edwardian homes.

Bell roofs can come in different forms, such as round, square, and multi-sided.

Their classic appearance makes them a popular choice for homes that want to evoke a sense of history and tradition.

A gambrel roof is like a gable roof, but with an added slope to its lower edges, making it a popular choice for barns and farmhouses.

Gambrel roofs are often used in traditional homes, including Georgian and Dutch Colonial styles, due to their ability to provide more storage within a building.

Asphalt shingles, slate, and metal are commonly used materials for this type of roofing.

The simpler construction of a gambrel roof allows it to use only two roof beams, but this also makes it vulnerable to immense stress in strong winds.

This shape uses two sides, both with two slopes each, making it a recognizable feature of barns and other rural buildings.

Both sides of a gambrel roof have one steep and one shallow slope, which helps to minimize damage from rain, snow, and other debris.

The steep sides of a gambrel roof make it easy to flow off rain, snow, and other debris, but snow can still accumulate on the shallower slopes.

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You have plenty of customization options when it comes to materials and size for a gambrel roof, which can be a great option for homes or buildings with limited space.

Barn roofs are constructed in advance before being placed on top, which can be a benefit for those looking to implement a gambrel-style roof on their home.

The steepness of a gambrel roof can make it visible from the outside, so consider carefully what materials and designs you choose to boost your curb appeal.

Gambrel roofs can be expensive to manufacture and install, primarily due to the size of the roof itself and the gambrel truss or framework used to keep it intact.

If you live in an area known for high winds or heavy snow, a gambrel roof may not be the most suitable option due to its struggles with these conditions.

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The saltbox roof is a unique and practical choice for homes. Its asymmetrical shape, resembling antique wooden saltboxes, is characterized by two slopes of varying lengths.

This design makes it ideal for areas with heavy rainfall, as water runs off easily. Buildings with saltbox roofs often have two stories on one side and one story on the opposite.

Saltbox roofs were introduced in the 17th and 18th centuries to provide more interior space. They were particularly popular for Colonial and Cape Cod homes.

The irregular design of the saltbox roof can affect attic space, however. This is because it creates an indoor slope, which can impact the use of attic space for storage.

Sawtooth roofs are a unique and functional design that can be seen in both residential and industrial buildings. They're characterized by a series of ridges with double pitches on each side, resembling a saw's teeth.

This design allows for plenty of natural light to pass through, thanks to windows installed in the vertical spaces of the roof. The steeper slope of the roof also helps to minimize excess heat.

Sawtooth roofs are commonly used on large commercial and industrial buildings, but they're also becoming more popular in modern homes. They can be made from a variety of materials, including steel, wood, and concrete.

One of the advantages of sawtooth roofs is the high ceilings they provide, which can be used for storage. This design also lends itself well to the installation of solar panels and other energy-saving tools.

Skillion roofs are a modern and practical choice for architecture, adding a sleek touch to any building.

Their steep slope allows water and snow to shed quickly, making them an excellent choice for buildings in rainy and snowy regions.

Skillion roofs can come in numerous planes, such as the butterfly roof with an inverted "V" shape.

They are similar to a shed roof, but unlike the latter, skillion roofs don't have to be limited to a single flat surface.

A variation of the skillion roof is the lean-to roof, which is also composed of one angled pitch and is supported at one end by a wall.

Lean-to roofs are pitched at a steeper angle to allow runoff in heavy rain, making them suitable for areas with heavy rainfall.

Hip and valley roofs have been a staple in many residential properties in the U.S. for decades, mainly due to their aesthetic benefits.

These roofs have numerous dips and peaks, adding a dramatic touch and accent to any structure. They're particularly standard among many Colonial structures and pre-20th-century houses.

Hip roofs are structurally stable due to their slopes on all four sides, making them more durable than gable roofs.

Their inward slope on all sides enables the snow to slide off easily, making them great for areas prone to high winds and snow.

Hip and valley roofs have a total of four sloping surfaces, with two joined on a common ridge, and the other two on either end of the central ridge.

This design is very similar to the trapezoid structure of gable roofs, with the addition of the two triangular hip ends being the only real distinguishing factor.

The world of roofs is diverse and fascinating, reflecting cultural heritage, environmental adaptation, and architectural innovation.

Understanding these roof types enhances our appreciation of the structures around us, revealing the ingenuity of human design and the myriad possibilities in architectural choices.

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The Dutch style of pitched roof shapes is a unique and interesting design. It's a hybrid of a gable and hip type of roof, making it a great option for those who want a more spacious attic.

A Dutch gable roof combines a hip roof and a gable roof, using a hip roof as the base and a smaller gable roof on top. This design increases attic space, but also makes bracing the structure for storms and wind uplift more complicated.

The Dutch gable roof offers a more spacious room inside, making it a great choice for those who want to maximize their attic space. A similar structure can be found in East Asian hip-and-gable roofs, particularly in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist temples.

A full or partial gable can be found at the end of the ridge in the Dutch gable roof, allowing for a greater amount of internal roof space. This design also improves the look of the roof, providing a more unique and interesting design than the common simple hip roof.

The Dutch gable roof is a great option for those who want a more durable and strong roofing system, as the hip structure provides better weather resistance. However, it does require more complicated guttering and bracing for storms and wind uplift.

A half hipped roof is almost identical to a simple hip roof design, but instead, the two sides of the roof are shortened, creating eaves at either side of the house.

This type of roof provides more options for extending into the loft and installing windows, allowing a greater amount of natural light into the room.

The half hipped roof design is a great choice for homes with smaller backyards, as it doesn't require as much space as a traditional hip roof.

Calculating the pitch of your roof is crucial for both installation and repair jobs. The pitch needs to be taken into account.

The overall design of your roof is dependent on many factors, including the slope or pitch of the roof. Some individuals may think all roofs are the same, but the truth is that every roof is designed differently.

To determine the pitch, you'll need to calculate the ratio of the roof's vertical rise to its horizontal run. This can be done using a roof pitch calculator or by measuring the roof's dimensions.

The pitch of a roof can be designed with different slopes, including steep slopes and shallow or low slopes. In order to determine which one is best for you, it is recommended to calculate the roof pitch.

Low slopes are a great option for buildings with a large amount of square footage to cover. They're also effective for certain home applications such as porches and decks.

One of the biggest advantages of low-slope roofs is their lower price and easy installation. This is because they don't require rafter systems for support, and they also require fewer materials for framing.

Low-slope roofs don't have attic space, but they also have less unused air space in your home that your HVAC system has to manage. This means your building can keep cool or warm without the need to also regulate your attic's temperature.

Shingles and tiles cannot be used on low roof slopes, as they are overlapping materials, which limits your options. This means you'll need to consider alternative materials for your roof.

Low-slope roofs are not recommended if you live in a snowy area, as a large accumulation of snow on your roof can cause significant damage.

Steep slopes are a common feature of many pitched roof shapes, including the A-frame roof and the skillion roof. This design allows for easy drainage and can help prevent water damage.

A-frame roofs, in particular, are great at resisting harsh weather, including high winds and pouring rain, thanks to their steep slopes. Their construction also makes them more durable and long-lasting compared to other roofs.

The steep slopes of these roofs can be a bit of a drawback, however, as they can reduce the amount of usable square feet in your home. This is because the angles of the roof can make it difficult to use the space under the roof.

On the other hand, the steep slopes of these roofs can also provide more attic space, which can be a bonus for homeowners who need extra storage or living space.