There are so many different roof styles out there that it can be hard to keep track. We’ve collected a list of the most popular options and how they differ from each other.
18 standard types of roof styles and shapes
1. A-frame
The A-frame roof style has a distinct triangular shape that resembles the letter “A.” It features two sloping sides that meet at the top to form a ridge.
A-frame roofs are versatile and popular for modern, contemporary, and rustic architectural styles. They can provide great insulation and durability.
The disadvantage here is that their steep angles may limit headroom in the upper parts of the house, which can reduce usable space.
2. Bonnet
The bonnet roof style is also known as a “kicked eave.” It features a double-sloping design with a lower slope that is steeper than the upper slope.
The lower slope extends past the wall of the house to create an overhang. The bonnet roof is common for traditional or colonial homes. The style provides protection from wind, rain, and sun.
What might not be so beneficial is that its design may make it hard to ventilate and may increase costs.
3. Butterfly
The butterfly roof style has two wings that slope down in a V-shape, forming a valley in the middle.
This style of roof is good for the environment because it lets in a lot of light and makes it easy to collect rainwater.
The butterfly roof is popular in modern architectural designs. Its unique shape can provide good ventilation, natural lighting, and modern appeal.
However, its unique shape may make it difficult and expensive to install.
4. Clerestory
The clerestory roof style has a raised part of the roof with a row of windows that let light in.
This roof style was popular in ancient architecture, particularly Gothic and Romanesque structures. Its job is to let in as much natural light and air as possible, which can help cut down on energy costs.
Unfortunately, the way it’s built might make it hard to heat or cool, and the extra windows might make costs go up.
5. Curved
The curved roof style features a unique, curved design that can add a modern or futuristic feel to a building.
It is often used in modern architecture because of its unique shape, which gives it a unique look. It also provides good drainage of water and can help reduce wind resistance.
However, its complex design may increase installation and maintenance costs.
6. Dome
The dome roof style is a hemispherical structure that covers a circular or square area.
This roof style was popular in ancient times and often seen in religious and government buildings. Its function is to provide a sturdy and stable structure. The dome roof can also provide natural light and aid in temperature regulation.
Despite all of its benefits, its design may make it hard to set up and expensive to keep up.
7. Dormer
The dormer roof style is an extension of the main roof that includes a vertical window.
Dormer windows can add character to the outside of a house while letting in more natural light and air. This style is often used in colonial and Victorian architecture.
Its function is to add additional living space in the attic. However, its design may require a bit more work to install and can increase costs.
8. Flat
The flat roof style has a surface that is completely flat, and it is often used in modern and contemporary styles of architecture.
Flat roofs are easy to put on, and they can give you more outdoor living space, like a rooftop garden.
On the other hand, the way they are made may make them more likely to get damaged by water, and they may be harder to keep up.
9. Gable
The gable roof style is one of the most common and features two sloping sides that meet at the top to form a ridge.
Gable roofs are very flexible and can be used for both traditional and modern styles of architecture. They provide good ventilation and natural light and are easy to install.
However, their design may make them susceptible to wind damage and leakage.
10. Gambrel
The gambrel roof style is commonly used in barns, farmhouses, and colonial-style homes.
It provides a spacious interior that can accommodate a loft or additional living space. It also provides good natural light and ventilation.
However, its design may make it more susceptible to wind damage and leakage.
11. Gazebo
The roof style of a gazebo is either pyramidal or octagonal and is held up by columns or posts.
It is typically used for outdoor structures such as gazebos, pergolas, and pavilions. Its purpose is to provide shade and shelter in outdoor areas, and its unique shape can add to a property’s aesthetic value.
Besides the benefits, its design may limit its use to outdoor structures only.
12. Jerkinhead
The jerkinhead roof style is a hybrid of the gable and hip roof styles. It features a gable-style roof with its peak clipped or truncated to create a hipped end.
Jerkinhead roofs are commonly used in bungalows, craftsman-style homes, and cottages. Its function is to provide good ventilation and natural light.
However, its unique design may make it more difficult to install and maintain.
13. Hipped
The hipped roof style features four sloping sides that converge at the top to form a ridge.
Hipped roofs are commonly used in traditional and ranch-style homes. They protect well from wind and rain and also let in a lot of natural light and air.
Unfortunately, their design may make them more susceptible to wind damage and leakage.
14. Mansard
The mansard roof style features four sloping sides, with the lower slope being steeper than the upper slope.
It is commonly used in French-style homes and buildings. Its purpose is to give you more space to live in the attic while maintaining a unique and stylish look.
However, its design may be a headache to install and maintain.
15. M-shaped
The M-shaped roof style features a gable roof design with two ridges that create an “M” shape.
It is commonly used in Mediterranean-style homes and buildings. Its function is to provide good ventilation and natural light. It can also provide additional living space in the attic.
However, its unique design may make it more challenging to install and maintain.
16. Parapet
The parapet roof style has a wall that goes above the roofline and forms a barrier around the edge of the roof.
It is commonly used in commercial buildings and flat roof designs. Its purpose is to protect the building from wind and rain and add a decorative touch to the front of the building.
The bad thing is that its design may limit its use to commercial buildings only.
17. Saltbox
The saltbox roof style features a long, sloping side that extends down to cover a one-story section of the house.
It is commonly used in colonial-style homes. Its purpose is to add more living space to the attic while keeping the traditional look of the house.
On the other hand, its design may make it harder to install and maintain.
18. Sloped
The sloped roof style features a simple, single-sloping roof design that slopes in one direction.
It is commonly used in modern and minimalist architectural styles. Its purpose is to help water flow away from the building and give the front of the building a clean, simple look.
However, its design may limit its use to modern and minimalist architectural styles only.
Table: Roofing style pros and cons
| Roofing Style | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| A-frame | Simple and economical design, good for snowy regions | Limited interior space, may require additional support |
| Bonnet | Provides good protection from wind and rain, adds aesthetic value | More challenging to construct and maintain |
| Butterfly | Allows for good natural light and ventilation, unique and modern appearance | More challenging to construct and maintain |
| Clerestory | Provides good natural light and ventilation, adds aesthetic value | More challenging to construct and maintain, may be more expensive |
| Curved | Provides a unique and modern appearance, good for windy regions | More challenging to construct and maintain, may be more expensive |
| Dome | Provides good natural light and ventilation, adds aesthetic value | More challenging to construct and maintain, may be more expensive |
| Dormer | Provides additional living space and natural light, adds aesthetic value | May be more challenging to construct and maintain |
| Flat | Simple and economical design, good for urban environments | May require additional waterproofing and maintenance |
| Gable | Provides good natural light and ventilation, adds aesthetic value | More susceptible to wind damage and leakage |
| Gambrel | Provides spacious interior and good natural light and ventilation | More susceptible to wind damage and leakage |
| Gazebo | Provides shade and shelter in outdoor spaces, adds aesthetic value | Limited use to outdoor structures only |
| Jerkinhead | Provides good ventilation and natural light, unique appearance | More challenging to construct and maintain |
| Hipped | Provides good protection from wind and rain, good natural light and ventilation | More susceptible to wind damage and leakage |
| Mansard | Provides additional living space in the attic, unique and stylish appearance | More challenging to construct and maintain |
| M-shaped | Provides good ventilation and natural light, additional living space in the attic | More challenging to construct and maintain |
| Parapet | Provides additional protection from wind and rain, adds decorative element | Limited use to commercial buildings only |
| Saltbox | Provides additional living space in the attic, unique and traditional appearance | More challenging to construct and maintain |
| Sloped | Provides good drainage of water, simple and sleek appearance | Limited use to modern and minimalist architectural styles only |
What is the most popular roof design and style?
Most people agree that the gable roof is one of the most popular and widely used roof styles. This is because gable roofs are easy to build and don’t cost much. They also let in a lot of natural light and air while providing good protection from rain and snow.
Also, gable roofs can be made to fit different architectural styles by having different pitches and angles.
Some of the other popular roof styles after the gable roof include the hip roof, flat roof, and mansard roof.
The hip roof is popular because it is stable and can stand up to high winds. The flat roof, on the other hand, is popular in cities because it looks nice and saves space. The mansard roof, on the other hand, is popular for its added living space and unique aesthetic appeal.
How do you choose the best roof style for your house?
Climate
For extreme weather like heavy snow, strong winds, and strong sunlight, a hip roof is better than other roof styles because it is more stable and less likely to be lifted up by the wind.
This is because the four sloping sides of a hip roof distribute the weight and force of high winds and heavy snow more evenly.
Also, the overhanging eaves provide some protection against intense sunlight.
Architectural style
The best roof style to go with different types of architecture would depend on the type of architecture.
For example, a traditional house may look best with a gable or hipped roof, while a modern house may look better with a flat or shed roof.
Think about how the house looks as a whole and choose a roof style that goes with it.
Building codes
The best roof style for meeting building codes and zoning laws would be a roof style that is compliant with local regulations.
I recommend checking the regulations in your area and choosing a roof style that meets these requirements.
A professional roofing contractor can help you determine the best roof style that meets the building codes and regulations in your area.
Cost
The best roof style for fitting your budget would be one that uses more cost-effective materials and has a simpler design.
For example, a gable roof is generally more affordable compared to other roof styles.
It has a simple design with two sloping sides and a ridge in the middle, which makes it easier and faster to construct. It uses less material compared to other roof styles.
Maintenance
The best roof style for low maintenance requirements would be a roof style that has a simpler design and uses durable materials.
For example, a gable roof requires minimal maintenance and is relatively easy to clean. It has a simple design with few angles or slopes, which makes it less prone to damage from debris or falling branches.
It’s made of durable materials such as asphalt shingles, which are easy to replace and repair.
Energy efficiency
The best roof style for energy efficiency would be one that is designed to reflect sunlight and reduce heat buildup.
A flat or butterfly roof may be a good option, as they can accommodate solar panels or green roofs, which can help reduce energy costs.
A flat roof is also easier to insulate than other types of roofs. This helps keep heat in during the winter and uses less energy.
What is a combination roof?
A combination roof is a type of roof that incorporates two or more different roof styles into one design.
It is also known as a “hybrid” or “mixed” roof. Combination roofs are often used to make the roofline look more interesting and attractive or to meet functional needs like more ventilation, natural light, or more living space.
There are many different ways to combine roof styles. For example, a combination roof might have both a hip roof and a gable roof. The hip roof would cover most of the house, while the gable roof would cover a smaller area, like a porch or garage.
A combination of a shed roof and a flat roof could be another example. The shed roof would have a steeper pitch to let in more light, and the flat roof could be used for a rooftop garden or solar panels.
Combination roofs can offer several benefits, such as increased visual interest and design flexibility.
But compared to traditional roof styles, they can be harder to design and build and cost more money.
Also, since combination roofs have many different angles and slopes, they may need more maintenance.
What kinds of roof shapes do best in snowy climates?
In snowy climates, roofs with steeper pitches tend to perform better as they allow the snow to slide off the roof more easily. This helps to prevent snow buildup, which can lead to roof damage or even collapse in extreme cases. Some roof shapes that are well-suited for snowy climates include:
- Gable roofs: A gable roof is one of the most popular roof styles and is well-suited for snowy climates as it allows the snow to slide off easily. However, it is important to ensure that the gable roof is constructed with sufficient structural support to withstand heavy snow loads.
- Hip roofs: A hip roof is also well-suited for snowy climates as it distributes the weight of snow more evenly across all four sides, reducing the risk of roof collapse. However, hip roofs can be more complex and expensive to construct compared to gable roofs.
- Mansard roofs: A mansard roof is well-suited for snowy climates as the steep sides allow the snow to slide off easily. Additionally, the flat top can provide additional living space or storage.
- Shed roofs: A shed roof is well-suited for snowy climates as the slope allows the snow to slide off easily. However, shed roofs are not recommended for larger structures as they may not provide sufficient structural support for heavy snow loads.
Which kinds of roofs are best for energy efficiency?
When designed and put on right, flat roofs are very energy efficient because they can be coated with highly reflective materials that help keep the building cool when it’s hot outside.
Flat roofs can be insulated, which keeps heat from escaping the building when it’s cold outside.
The reflective coating used on flat roofs is often referred to as a “cool roof,” which can reflect up to 90% of the sun’s rays, reducing heat absorption and cooling costs. Flat roofs are often used on commercial buildings, but they are becoming increasingly popular for residential homes as well.
Another roofing style that can be energy-efficient is the butterfly roof, which has two roof surfaces angled up from the middle, creating a V-shape. Because of how the roof is made, there is natural ventilation and airflow, so there is less need for air conditioning when it is hot. Solar panels can also be put on the roof to make it an environmentally friendly choice.
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