ROOF TYPES AND

ROOF DESIGNS
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROOF
A-Frame Roof
An A-frame roof has a steeply-angled (roofline) that
typically functions as both the roof and two of the four
exterior walls. The roof will usually begin at or near the
foundation and join together at the top in a way that
resembles the letter “A.” An A-frame ceiling can be open to
the top rafters.
The A-frame roof is a simple and less expensive roof
design because the roof serves as both roof and walls.

Barrel-Vaulted Roof
Barrel-vaulted or barrel roofs have a curved roof that
resembles a barrel cut in half. They are designed with a
similar purpose to a dome roof, but their primary advantage
over dome roofs is that they can cover longer, rectangular
buildings. Barrel roofs are commonly used in the design of
factories and other industrial buildings that cover large
sections of land. They are often made of metal but can also
be made of traditional asphalt shingles.
BOX GABLE ROOF
Box gable roofs are distinguishable by their triangular extensions at each face of the house, with
the roof boxed at the end. This roofing type resembles a regular gable roof, but the triangular
extensions are closed off instead of left open. Box gables have a more pronounced triangular
shape than regular gable roofs.
As with other gable roofing types, box gable roofs can be covered with almost any roofing
material, such as asphalt shingles, concrete tiles, cedar shakes, and metal panels. Additionally,
they can be used in common architectural styles, particularly American Colonial, Cottage, and
Craftsman homes.
OPEN GABLE ROOF
both sides of the roof continue past the end walls to create an overhang. The benefit of this
design is that it helps to protect your home's foundation from moisture and creates extra space
for soffits that add extra ventilation to your attic.
DUTCH GABLE ROOF
A Dutch gable roof or gablet roof (in Britain) is a roof with a small gable at the top of a hip roof.
The term Dutch gable is also used to mean a gable with parapets. Some sources refer to this as a
gable-on-hip roof.

BUTTERFLY ROOF
Butterfly Roof A butterfly roof generally comprises
two tandem pieces that meet midway and are
angled up in a V-shape. This gives the effect of a
butterfly’s wings in flight when seen from the
exterior, making it a good choice for modern and
contemporary homes. Not all butterfly roofs need
their two pieces to meet midway physically; the
only thing they need is for the two pieces to slope
inward at a midpoint.

Butterfly roofs are ideal for homes in arid or desert climates, mainly because their central valley
allows rainwater to be collected easily. Butterfly roofs are also suitable for a modern aesthetic
and homes that can take advantage of natural lighting, as the outer edges of the “butterfly” can
accommodate larger windows, such as floor-to-ceiling windows.

COMBINATION ROOF
Combination roofs are, quite literally, a blend of various
roofing styles based on the building's theme and
environment. There is no limit on how many types this
roof can incorporate or which ones can be combined. For
instance, it could be multiple gable roofs together with a
hip roof over the front porch or a hip roof paired with a
clerestory roof for a distinct look.
Due to their unique architectural appeal, combination roofs
are well-suited to modern and contemporary homes. Note,
however, that the biggest risk of combining different
roofing styles is creating more valleys, which can lead to
leak-prone areas. Therefore, this roof may use more material and labor than other roof types.

FLAT ROOF
While they look flat from the outside, flat roofs are not
exactly flat—they have a slight incline to prevent water
from collecting on the top. The National Roofing
Contractors Association considers a roof with a slope of 3-
in-12 or less a flat roof.
Flat roofs are mainly used on commercial buildings due to
their simplicity and practicality, although many
contemporary homes now use flat roof styles.

GABLE ROOF
Also known as peaked or pitched roofs, gable roofs are some of the most common roofing types
seen in many homes worldwide. Due to their typical triangular or inverted “V” shape, they are
easily identifiable. Many homeowners prefer them mainly because they shed water and snow
easily, allow for more attic ventilation, and are 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.
Gable roofs can also be combined with other roofing types and
come in other subtypes. However, one downside is that they're
prone to storm damage, especially if there is a significant
overhang.

GAMBREL ROOF
A gambrel roof is like a gable roof, but only if you add another
slope to its lower edges. A gambrel's lower slope has a much
steeper pitch, while the upper side has a gentler one.
Gambrel roofs are often described as “barn roofs” because
they are often seen on top of barns, farmhouses, and log
cabins. However, they can also be used in many traditional
homes, including Georgian and Dutch Colonial. Due to their
shape, they help provide more storage within a building.
Asphalt shingles, slate, and metal are some of the most widely
used materials for this type of roofing. The simpler
construction also allows the gambrel roof to use only two roof
beams, making the roof vulnerable to immense stress in strong winds.

HIP ROOF
Unlike regular gable roofs that do not have sloping structures on
two sides of the building, hip roofs have slopes on all four sides.
These sides are all equal in size and join at the top, forming a
ridge. This design makes them more structurally stable than
gable roofs.
Due to the inward slope on all sides, hip roofs are often sturdier
and more durable than their gable counterparts. They are great
for areas prone to high winds and snow, as the slant of their
slopes enables the snow to slide off easily. Hip roofs can be
covered with any type of roofing material, including shingles and tiles, and can be modified to
include dormers or crow's nests.

MANSARD ROOF
Like the gambrel roof, mansard roofs have two
different slopes on the sides of each roof. But while the
gambrel only has two sides, a mansard roof has four,
which makes it an analog to a hip roof (as the gambrel
is to a gable).
In a mansard roof, the lower slope is much steeper than
the upper, and all sides can be flat or curved, depending
on the building’s architectural style. The lower, steeper
slope can be used as additional floor space, known as a
garret, and can be punctuated with dormers.

SHED ROOF
Shed roofs have a single slope that inclines at a certain
angle. This roofing type is common among many
contemporary homes primarily because it offers more
interior space than the more popular gable and hip roofs,
all while maintaining a simple, sophisticated appearance.
Other structures that use shed roofs include animal
sheds, outhouses, and storage barns. Due to the steep
incline, rubber skins and roofing membranes are ideal
for this type of roof. For a more streamlined look,
property owners can choose standing seam materials to go with it.
DIFFERENT YPES OF ROOFING MATERIALS
Asphalt & Asphalt Fiberglass Shingles
Manufacturers have created asphalt shingles that imitate
the look of wood and slate. Although these terms are
used interchangeably, most roof shingles used today are
technically known as asphalt fiberglass shingles. The
fiberglass mat embedded in the shingle provides an
extra measure of strength and tear resistance. These
shingles are the most popular type of roofing for sloped
roofs because they’re affordable, easy to install,
durable, and available in a wide variety of colors.

Wood Shingles & Shakes

Wood shingles and shake roofs are beautiful, but expect
more maintenance compared to an asphalt roof. Wood
shingles and shakes usually come from red cedar,
Alaskan yellow cedar, or Eastern white cedar. These
evergreens produce wood that is dimensionally stable
and naturally resistant to rot and insect attack. The main
difference between shingles and shakes is that shakes are
split from the log and have a rough, random texture;
shingles have a smoother surface because they’re sawed.
A wood roof is expensive and requires extra skill to
install. That’s why most people avoid installing this type
of roof unless they’re dealing with a historic house.
METAL ROOFING
Metal roofing comes in vertical panels or shingles
resembling slate, tile and shake – and can last 50-70
years. Metal excels at sloughing off heavy snow and
rain, won’t burn and resists high winds. It is
lightweight and low maintenance compared to roofs
of other materials. However, metal can be noisy
during rainstorms

CLAY TILES
Clay tiles are renowned for their distinctive
appearance and exceptional durability. They can last
over 50 years and are fire-resistant, making them
suitable for hot climates and areas prone to wildfires.
However, clay tiles are heavy and require a sturdy
roof structure for support. The cost of clay tiles is
higher compared to asphalt shingles, but their
longevity and aesthetic appeal can justify the investment.

CONCRETE ROOFING
A concrete roof is exactly what it sounds like: a solid
slab of concrete capping the top of your house. Exact
specifications vary, but most concrete roofs are
several inches thick.