Your home’s roof serves two main purposes: Protecting your home from the elements and making your house look good. If you are considering either new home construction or a roof replacement, it’s important to consider both purposes. Learning more about different residential roof types can help you decide the roof type that best suits your home.

Not all residential roofs are the same. Different roof types offer different advantages and disadvantages. This can get overwhelming when you start digging into such a large home project, so let’s break it down and look at the different types of roofs for residential homes. 

Roof Designs, Shapes, and Styles

Up to 40% of a home’s exterior can be taken up by the roof, so knowing how to work with your roof shape can go a long way to giving your home exceptional curb appeal. Understanding what house roof shape and slope is best for different roofing materials is helpful too. These choices integrate with your roof design and ultimately with the rest of your home’s exterior.

Not all roof shapes and styles are best for every climate either. Some roof types fare better in warmer or more consistent climates, while others do well in places that are prone to lots of snow or lots of unpredictable or violent weather. It’s good to know what roof type is best for where you live. 

Why Does the Roof Slope Matter?

When talking about roofs, it’s impossible not to talk about the roof slope. It is a term used to indicate a roof’s incline and is a ratio based on proportion. For example, when a roof is said to have a 6 in 12 (or 6:12 or 6/12) slope, it means that it rises six inches vertically for every 12 inches it runs horizontally. A roof slope can range from steep to almost flat.

A roof slope has both practical and aesthetic considerations. Practically, a steeper slope is usually better for rain or snow runoff. The roof slope also determines what type of roofing materials can be used because all roof coverings have minimum slope requirements. If you have your heart set on a certain type of roofing material, you would not want to build a home with a slope that cannot accommodate it.

Aesthetically, whether a flat grade or a steep incline, your roof slope is one of the main things that creates a home’s silhouette. That silhouette can greatly affect your home’s curb appeal. Also, the steeper the roof slope the more visible it is from the ground and thus–the more your roof color matters. Ensuring a seamless integration with your home’s exterior design matters too. 

Common Roof Types for Homes 

Gable Roof

The most common roof type for residential homes is the gable roof. If you have walked down any street in America you have seen a gable roof with its two sloping sides that come together to form a ridge at the top. Every child has also most likely drawn a gable roof with its typical triangle that sits on top of a square home base. It’s that popular.

The slopes on a gable roof can vary from steep to gentle. It is possible to embellish gable roofs with entryways or additional gables set at right angles. Thus, several other roof types are variations based on this classic roof type. 

Pros

• Simple and efficient roof design that provides versatility and ease of construction. 
• Highly affordable and works well with a variety of home designs and construction materials.
• Provides solid and reliable drainage for both water and snow, which minimizes leakage and increases the roof’s durability. 
• Offers good ventilation.
• Works well in snowy climates because their design prevents snow build-up. 

Cons

• Not as stable as other styles, especially in high winds. 
• Prone to wind damage and not advisable in areas with a high risk of hurricanes or tornadoes. 
• Extremely high winds can cause the roof to detach from the home. 
• Strong storms can cause the roof to collapse.
• Requires proper installation and adequate framing to cut down on these hazards.

Clipped Gable Roof

Another common roof type is the clipped gable roof or bullnose roof. This style retains the basic shape of a gable roof but the two sides that rise to meet the ridge bend in to create small hips. It looks like someone clipped off the ends of the basic gable to create a small angled design on each end of the roof. This gable variation adds variety and interest to the overall home design.  

Pros

• Adds architectural interest, dimension, and style to any home with the bent in peaks.
• Presents an ideal palette to showcase high-performance roofing materials and designer shingles.
• Cuts down on the wind force at the peak of the roof, improving upon one of the main cons of a basic gable roof.

Cons

• The clipped ends require extra maintenance.
• Improperly cared for small joints can leak and cause water damage.

Dutch Gable Roof

Another variation of the classic gable roof is the Dutch or Flemish gable roof design. This variation has a similar base to the basic gable roof but with an added hip roof on the front. This added front expands the attic spaces and available window areas in your home. 

Pros

• Extra attic space and additional windows add more room and light to your home.
• More windows also help improve air circulation.
• Provides added storage or living space to your home.

Cons

• Requires more materials to construct, which also adds higher maintenance costs. 
• Added joints require a sealant to prevent leakage.
• Not as efficient as a classic gable in snowier climates, especially if they have a low pitch where snow can easily build up.

Gambrel Roof

This type of roof is most typically used on barns or sheds. In fact, if you can picture the shape of a classic barn, you have pictured a gambrel roof. This style of roof for a house contains four main surfaces that come together across the top of the structure with a low-pitch slope. The four surfaces construct half an octagon shape over the home. This design creates a wider area across the top of the structure. Since the pitch is lower on the edges more head space is found on the upper level, which is why it is so typically used in barns to create a hay loft. 

Pros

• Easy to install.
• Adds extra space to an upper floor, allowing for larger window installations.
• Works well with a wide variety of roofing materials. 

Cons

• Known to have poor ventilation.
• Susceptible to wind damage, especially in strong storms.
• Difficult to install on existing structures and works best with new construction.
• The low slope of the roof can cause excessive snow and water accumulation.
• Prone to rot in snowier, wetter climates.
• More expensive since it may need to be replaced more often. 

Hip Roof

Another common roof type for residential homes is the hip roof or pyramid style. This is a simple roof with four slanted sides that come together at one point to form a tip at the top. A lack of ridges in the hip roof type gives it several advantages. 

Pros

• Less leak damage with a lack of ridges.
• Eaves on all sides of the home provide extra shade during the summer months, making this roof type popular in hot climates.
• Very stable compared to most other roof types.
• Allows for easy snow and water runoff. 

Cons

• More complicated to build.
• Requires extra time and materials, which leads to extra construction costs too.
• Poor attic ventilation.
• Lack of attic space.
• Challenging to bring in natural light.
• Prone to leaks, more seams equals more damage possible. 

Mansard Roof

The mansard roof type originated in France in the 17th century and is the roof that you may picture if you think of the Paris skyline. It is usually built with dormer windows tucked inside. This many-sided roof can be considered a cross between a hip roof and a gambrel roof type. It has two slopes on each side, one lower and one higher. The upper slope has a practically flat incline. The hipped part has four sections that tilt downward towards the house walls. Overall, it is a roof type that provides a spacious structure that is distinctly elegant. 

Pros

• Extremely large attic space.
• Typical dormers provide natural light.
• Visually interesting design that can be easily modified.
• Built-in support structure offers easy vertical expansion.
• Elegant appeal that makes for a distinctive and interesting home roof choice. 

Cons

• Less weather resistant compared to other roof types.
• More vulnerable to damage in climates with more weather extremes. 
• Difficult to clear away snow or standing rainwater, which can cause lasting damage to the roof and sometimes to the internal support structure. 
• High installation costs due to it not being a specialty for most roofing contractors.
• Unusual design gives it higher repair and maintenance costs. 

Flat or Low Slope Roof

A flat roof is most often used for commercial structures, such as industrial or office parks, shopping centers, or large apartment buildings. Mid-century modern residential homes, however, were populated with this roof type and it is recently becoming more and more popular as it gives a decidedly modern look. Flat roofs, however, are not exactly flat. They do have a slight slope of about 2% for water and snow run-off. 

Pros

• A cost-effective option that offers unique designs that are not typical for most homes.
• Provides wide-open floor plans.
• Offers opportunities for additions and added levels.
• Possesses eco-friendly elements, such as space for roof gardens, solar panels, and water tanks.

Cons

• Extremely susceptible to leaks and proper sealing is imperative.
• Requires higher maintenance to ensure sealant is sufficient to prevent leakage.

Shed Roof

A type of variation on the flat roof is the shed roof, which has the distinct characteristic of having only one slope. This single slope is much steeper than a flat roof and the high-pitch slope is most effective for shedding snow and water. This is the simplest of simple designs, which is why it is typically found on sheds. However, the shed roof can often be found in more modern or rustic home designs too. 

Pros

• Quick and easy to build.
• Cost-effective option.
• Easily accommodates solar panels.
• Can accommodate all roofing materials. 

Cons

• Offers no attic space, cutting down on usable storage or living space inside the home.
• Not ideal in high winds.
• Aesthetically lacks versatility.

Types of Roofing Material 

Knowing more about different roof types is complemented by understanding different types of roofing materials. Both the style of your roof and the materials that cover it combine to create protection and curb appeal for your home. 

Asphalt Shingles

The most common and cost-effective roofing material is the asphalt shingle. They are a solid, durable roofing material option that come with a much lower cost than other materials. They also blend nicely with most common home colors. If properly installed asphalt shingles protect your home, keeping it dry and comfortable.

In general, there are three types of asphalt shingles to choose from. These include:

• 3-tab or strip shingle: The most basic asphalt shingle that is made from a single layer of asphalt and gives a flat appearance.
• Dimensional or architectural or laminate shingles: The most popular shingle found on homes. They are made by fusing two or more layers to give a thicker, more multi-dimensional look with improved home protection from the elements.
• Luxury: Higher-quality asphalt shingles produced from laminated materials that give a more interesting, high-aesthetic appearance and stronger weathering protection than other asphalt types. 

Asphalt Material Types 

Fiberglass

This type of asphalt shingle is made from a fiberglass base coated with asphalt and prevents water from getting into the home. It is mixed with ceramic pieces that create a reflective surface and prevent sun-bleaching. 

Organic

This type of asphalt shingle is made from recycled materials, often recycled paper with asphalt layered over it. These are usually more expensive than fiberglass, but are eco-friendly and offer an environmentally sustainable roofing option. 

Metal Roofing

This type of roofing material is becoming more and more common. It provides a low-maintenance roofing option, mostly only needing to be repainted. This maintenance cost is lower though than a roof replacement. Metal is also an environmentally friendly roofing option with customizable color choices. However, metal roofing is difficult to install and should be done by an experienced contractor to avoid costly issues. 

Ceramic Tiles

This roofing material option is extremely durable and can last up to 70 years with proper care. It is a unique choice that is installed with an overlapping design that provides a strong barrier from the elements. This option does not do well in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations. Places with variable weather, such as cold winters and hot summers, do not work well with this roofing material. Ceramic tiles are best in locations with consistent temperatures and weather conditions. 

Slate Shingles

This roofing material is an esthetically pleasing choice, offering a sophisticated and elegant appearance to your home. The durability of slate shingles is also impressive. They do not rot and are easy to maintain. With proper care, they can last up to 100 years. They also come in a wide range of styles and colors. Slate shingles are very heavy though and very expensive. They can break easily when walked on and require a professional installation from a reputable company skilled in using this material.

Wood/Cedar Shake Shingles

This roofing material works well in harsh climates and offers an eco-friendly roofing option. It is built from recycled materials, works as a natural insulator that cuts down on heating costs, and the water that runs off the roof does not contaminate water systems. While wood/cedar shakes and shingles may run on the expensive side and be a bit tough to install, they’re very durable and last up to about 30 years. It is best to get a reputable and professional roof installer when investing in this type of roofing system.

Choose What’s Right for Your Home

As you can see, not all residential roof types offer the same advantages or disadvantages. Understanding the pros and cons of each roof type helps you make the best choice, providing you with both the protection and curb appeal you want in your home’s roof. 

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