The roof is one of the most important elements of a building, as it provides protection from the elements and can also add to the aesthetic appeal of a structure. There are many different types of roofing structures, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. In this article, we will explore the pros, cons, costs and materials of 15 of the most popular roof styles. The simplest and most cost-effective roof structure is the gable roof.
This type of roof consists of two sloping sides that meet in the middle to form a ridge. There are many variations of gable roofs, including the standard gable roof and the trimmed gable roof. The four-pitched roof is inspired by a pyramidal structure. It has four sides that meet in the middle to form a ridge.
This type of roof can be more expensive than a gable roof, but it is very stable and can withstand strong winds and heavy snowfall. The tent-shaped roof has no vertical ends and is very stable. It is usually more expensive than a gable roof, but it can provide more natural light and storage space. The Dutch roof is a combination of gabled and hipped styles.
It features a gable at the top of a hip-shaped roof. Dutch roofs are more expensive than their main roof types, but they can let in more natural sunlight and provide more storage space. An attic ceiling creates small rooms that extend out of the roof slope. These types of ceilings usually have a window in the small room, allowing natural light to enter.
A skillion roof, also known as a shed roof, consists of a single panel that tilts over the entire structure like a shed. This type of roof requires less material to construct and allows snow and rain to drain easily through the building. The M-shaped ceiling, also known as an M-roof, has two sloped sides that meet in the center with additional slopes on each side. An M-shaped roof is essentially two gable roofs joined with a valley in the middle.
Rubber roofs, also known as EPDM roofs (ethylene propylene diene monomer), are made from highly engineered rubber compounds that provide durability and waterproof qualities. Rubber roofs are mainly used on flat or low-sloped roofs in commercial and residential buildings.
Composite shingles
are made from resins and rubber compounds extracted from reclaimed tires. This slate-like model offers excellent longevity and a lower installation price, while providing the appearance of a traditional slate roof.Corrugated roofs are easy to spot because of their distinctive shape; this is a thin sheet that contains a symmetric pattern of alternating ridges and grooves. Most corrugated roofs come in sheet form, but some manufacturers offer large shingles. This type of roof can be made of steel, polycarbonate, or an asphalt and fiberglass composite. Corrugated roofs are more suitable for agricultural and commercial buildings than for houses, as they can be fixed over an existing tile roof without removing the original material.
Flat roofs, which are often grouped as “low-sloped roofs”, are usually covered with single membrane systems such as EPDM or rubber roofing, thermopolyolefin (TPO) roofing, or PVC roofing. Metal roofs, which are sometimes used on low-sloped roofs but not on flat roofs, are made from metal sheets or tiles that provide excellent protection against rain and snow.
Hood roofs
, also known as pitched eaves or mansard roofs, have four sides with a steep upper slope and a softer lower slope covering the edges of the house for a porch. This style is most commonly seen in buildings from the 1700s.Combined roofs, which often incorporate two or more designs for aesthetic and practical reasons, can come in a variety of styles; for example, a triforium combined with a gable roof.
Four-pitched roofs
, which are great for buildings with complex designs such as rectangles or squares, have perpendicular four-sided sections that form an “L” or “T” shape at the hip of the roof.Curved roofs
, which take advantage of metal materials to create large curved structures, help reduce wind resistance while adding an impressive aesthetic appearance to any building.Open gable roofs
, which are identical to box-shaped gable roofs except for their open ends attached directly to walls, offer no additional benefits but can add an interesting touch to any building.Weighing Up Different Roof Structures: Pros, Cons, Costs & Materials When it comes to choosing the right type of roof for your building project, there are many factors to consider – from cost to materials used to aesthetics.
In this article we will explore 15 popular types of roof structures – from gable roofs to curved metal – discussing their pros and cons as well as costs and materials used in construction.
Gable Roofs: Simple & Cost Effective Gable roofs are one of the simplest yet most cost effective types of structures available today. They consist of two sloping sides that meet in the middle to form a ridge – with variations including standard gables and trimmed gables.
Four-Pitched Roofs: Stable & Wind Resistant Four-Pitched Roofs take inspiration from pyramidal structures – having four sides that meet in the middle to form a ridge. Although they may be more expensive than gables they offer greater stability – being able to withstand strong winds and heavy snowfall.
Tent Shaped Roofs: More Natural Light & Storage Space Tent shaped roofs have no vertical ends – making them very stable – although they may be more expensive than gables they offer greater natural light and storage space.
Dutch Roofs: Combining Gabled & Hipped Styles Dutch Roofs combine both gabled and hipped styles – featuring a gable at the top of hip shaped structure – although they may be more expensive than their main components they offer greater natural light and storage space.
Attic Ceilings: Small Rooms & Natural Light Attic Ceilings create small rooms that extend out from the slope – usually having windows allowing natural light into these spaces.
Skillion Roofs: Shed Like Structure & Easy Drainage Skillion Roofs (also known as shed roofs) consist of single panels that tilt over entire structures like sheds – requiring less material for construction whilst allowing easy drainage.
M Shaped Ceilings: Two Gables Joined With Valley M Shaped Ceilings (also known as M Roofs) have two sloped sides meeting in center with additional slopes on each side – essentially two gables joined with valley.
Rubber Roofs: Durability & Waterproof Qualities Rubber Roofs (also known as EPDM) are made from highly engineered rubber compounds offering durability & waterproof qualities – mainly used on flat or low sloped roofs in commercial & residential buildings.
Composite Shingles: Longevity & Lower Installation Price Composite Shingles are made from resins & rubber compounds extracted from reclaimed tires – offering excellent longevity & lower installation price whilst providing appearance of traditional slate.
Corrugated Roofs: Distinctive Shape & Wind Resistance Corrugated Roofs are easy to spot due to their distinctive shape – thin sheets containing symmetric pattern alternating ridges & grooves – available in sheet form or large shingles made from steel/polycarbonate/asphalt/fiberglass composite – mainly used on agricultural/commercial buildings rather than houses.
Flat Roofs: Low Sloped & Single Membrane Systems Flat Roofs (also known as low sloped) usually covered with single membrane systems such as EPDM/rubber/TPO/PVC.
Metal Roofs: Metal Sheets/Tiles For Protection Against Rain & Snow Metal Roofs (sometimes used on low sloped but not flat) made from metal sheets/tiles providing excellent protection against rain & snow.
Hood Roofs: Steep Upper Slope & Softer Lower Slope Hood Roofs (also known as pitched eaves/mansard) have four sides with steep upper slope & softer lower slope covering edges for porch – commonly seen in buildings from 1700’s.
Combined Roofs: Aesthetic & Practical Reasons Combined Roofs often incorporate two or more designs for aesthetic & practical reasons – coming in variety styles such as triforium combined with gable.
Four Pitched Roofs: Complex Designs Such As Rectangles Or Squares Four Pitched Roofs great for buildings with complex designs such as rectangles or squares – having perpendicular four sided sections forming “L” or “T” shape at hip.
Curved Roofs: Metal Materials For Wind Resistance & Aesthetic Appeal Curved Roofs take advantage metal materials creating large curved structures helping reduce wind resistance whilst adding impressive aesthetic appeal any building.
Open Gable Roofs: Box Shaped Gables With Open Ends Attached To Walls Open Gable Roofs identical box shaped gables except open ends attached directly walls offering no additional benefits but adding interesting touch any building.
We hope this article has helped you understand some of the different types of roof structures available today. Each type has its own unique advantages and disadvantages; it's important to consider all factors before making your decision.
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