Types of Roof Structures

Flat Roof

• As its name suggests, this roof style is parallel to the ground. Flat roofs are perhaps the most straightforward design to repair and the least expensive to construct. However, flat roofs generally require attention every 10 to 15 years. The disadvantage to this roof style is an inability to support weight. For this reason, flat roofs should be avoided in areas that receive heavy snow.

Shed Roof

• The shed roof design is very similar to the flat roof, but where the flat roof is horizontal, the shed roof is pitched at a slight angle to enable water and snow to run off. Shed roofs are commonly constructed with metal, title, shingle or roll roofing.

Gable Roof

• The gable roof is based on an A-frame design with a single ridge down the center of the structure and two sloping sides of equal length. Gable roofs are constructed with virtually all roofing materials except roll roofing. Because of the sharp pitch of the roof's sides, gable roofs are excellent choices for areas that receive heavy snowfall.

Hip Roof

• Hip roofs are similar to gable roofs in that a single ridge runs along the length of the structure, but unlike with gable roofs, hip roofs feature four sloping sides rather than two. Hip roofs are often capped with shingles to guard against water leaks. As with gable roofs, hip roofs are also popular in areas that experience heavy snowfall.

Mansard Roof

• Mansard roofs are popular among Victorian-style structures and are sometimes referred to as French roofs. Each side of the roof initially rises at a steep angle, then gradually flattens out to form a ridge line along the center of the structure. For multistory structures, the top of the roof is often hidden from view unless the structure is viewed at a distance. Mansard roofs are usually constructed from shingle or slate, but can sometimes be found in copper.

Gambrel Roof

• Gambrel roofs are commonly found on large barns but have also been used for residential structures. Each side of the roof features two slopes, the bottom one steeper than the top, that form a ridge line at the top of the structure. The gambrel style is a popular option for structures that feature an attic, as the two slopes on each side offer greater space than gable or hip roofs. However, gambrel roofs require several interior crossbeams for structural support.