7 Common Roof Types: A Guide to Choosing the Right One

You have hundreds of choices when constructing a new building, remodeling your home, or installing a new roof. From shingle style to gutter structure, you want to ensure you have the perfect balance of shape, style, and structure to produce an effective roof. Here at Green Rhino, we know anything worth doing is worth doing right! This is why we have compiled a guide about the most common roof types and how to make the most of them for your building!

Gable

When you picture a roof, you probably first think of the standard and traditional gable roof. When your kid draws a picture of a house, this is the style of roof they choose, and for good reason. The gable roof is a simple triangular structure that guides water, snow, and debris away from your home, preventing excessive weight or pooling water from damaging your roof. Remember that these roof options are only visible from two sides for your style choices.

Clipped Gable

A clipped gable is a variation on the gable which takes ‘clips’ the sharp corners of a gable roof and adds another plane of shingling. This adds dimension and depth to the roof and might allow your home to showcase high-performance and high-quality shingles. Consider this roof style when you complete your next addition, as it can completely change your building’s aesthetic when you install a new roof.

Gambrel Roof

A gambrel is a very traditional roof that is ideal for buildings that want to make full use of their vertical space. This roof comprises four symmetrical slopes, two on either side of the building, that mirror each other and meet at the apex. You would likely conjure a clear image of a gambrel roof if asked to picture an old-fashioned red barn with white trim. This allows you to make a loft or attic more comfortable for frequent navigation. Smartly placed windows give your building a very comfortable upper floor.

Hip Roof

When you want a roof visible from all sides, a hip roof is a simple option for showcasing your home’s shingles. The hip roof adds another two sides to the simple gable roof, producing a simple and short ridge at the roof’s peak. This is a less common roof style, but it can showcase your roofing style and allow you to create a strong statement piece using your home’s shingles. This roof style does not make a large allowance for attic space, so if storage is a priority, you may opt for something in the gable family of roofing structures.

Mansard Roof

A mansard roof is a fairly ornamental style of roof structure, with two slopes at all four sides, creating almost a  ‘mushroom cap’ curve appearance. This France-originating roof style is spacious inside, thanks to the steeper angles of the lower slopes. This makes your space more comfortable and provides many options for structure windows and other needed roof penetrations.

Dutch Gable

The Dutch gable combines the gable roof and the hip roof. Most of the roof is gable-style, but shorter planes are added to the shorter sides of the building. This style produces the appearance of a lower 4-plane roof with a miniature ‘gablet’ gable roof on top. This roof style provides ample attic space and allows opportunities for more thoughtful use of the inner space.

Shed Roof

This is the simplest style of home roof structure, though it is not the most common. A shed roof is a simple single plane across the entirety of the roof, angling downwards towards a shorter side of the home. This roof style is simple and popular in homes built to be more ultra-modern, with bold architectural styles. This roof style tends to stand out, but the distinction disappears when viewed straight-on from the short and tall sides of the home, where it will either look flat or disappear behind your home’s side. A fringe benefit of shed-style roofing is easier access and navigation during roof repairs, for faster and more efficient service.

Honorable Mention: Low Slope (“Flat”) Roofing

Low slope roofing is uncommon in residential and home roofing, as it tends to be a more utilitarian option favored by commercial roofing or homes in city spaces. However, for homes with this roof structure style, there are benefits to consider, including energy efficiency and roof access. Some homes will have limited sections of the home that are low-slope, depending on the needs of the underlying structure. Note that low-slope roofs require different roofing materials since debris and water may gather more readily on their surfaces. Common roofing materials include PVC, TPO, or modified bitumen roofing.

How to Choose Roofing Shingles for Your Style of Roof?

Now that you know the most common roof styles, you can start looking into inspiration for your home’s structure and roofing. While you use the terms and styles detailed above to narrow down your search for inspiration and aesthetic choices, you can narrow down your shingle choices by:

• Start by looking into your building codes and HOA restrictions. Some locations are more restrictive about what roofing options are available to choose from and get approval for.
• Drive through your town, gather images from Pinterest or other websites, and use magazines to search for the style and shape of your dream house’s roof.
• Consider your neighborhood’s aesthetic and style. If you live in a fairly eclectic location, you have free reign, but it’s worth considering if you want your home to blend in or stand out on your street.

Our work with GAF allows us to offer a larger pool of shingles with complete manufacturer’s warranties available for you to choose from.

Are you feeling ready to build your new roof? When building or adding to your home, you need to consider every aspect of your new space as you construct it, from how you use it to how it looks. With a full spectrum of roofing types to choose from, your home has an infinite number of possibilities to choose from – let us help you choose! We have worked in roofing for decades and can provide insights into the most appropriate roof style for your needs. Call today to get our expert knowledge and professional services!