Butterfly

The butterfly roof has a V-shape and looks a bit like a butterfly in flight. It is made up of two tandem pieces that are placed at an angle on the roof. This is a roof type that is great for eco-friendly homes and has a modern feel.

Advantages:

• It allows for larger windows because of the way the edges are angled.
• Large windows are cost-effective in the long run because it allows natural light into the home.
• Also, there’s a valley in the middle section which stores rainwater. This can be collected into a reservoir for other use.
• Further, it is an eco-friendly design and can house solar panels.

Disadvantages:

• To be honest, the butterfly roof design is a complex one and can be expensive.
• It also accrues more cost because it requires frequent maintenance.
• Again, you would need to take extra care to ensure that the roof is waterproofed.
• This type of roof is prone to leakages if not properly maintained and can lead to structural damage.
• Further, temperature regulation will be a bit difficult in the home because of the large windows and design.

Tips

Now, to keep this roof type watertight, use material without seams. You could also use organic materials or metal. Additionally, solar panels work quite well.

Curved

Think of a Skillion, but instead of a completely flat roof, it is curved. This roof design is unique and mostly seen in modern home designs. It is a creative take on roof design and can be slightly curved or arched. Or, anything between.

Advantages:

• These are beautifully designed roofs with a lot of visual appeals.
• From inside the home, you can also see the aesthetics that a curved roof adds.
• Curved roofs are versatile and can be used for one part of the entire home.
• Also, they can be designed to suit the region where the home is built. This means they can be designed to fit areas with the high wind as well as areas with heavy snow and rain.

Disadvantages:

• Curved roofs can be cost-effective or expensive. It really depends on the design.

Tip:

Naturally, the best material for this roof type is metal. That’s because it is malleable, and requires minimal maintenance.

Dome

A dome roof is shaped like a dome and adds great visual appeal to a home. You could also use them for gazebos, cupolas, or a crow’s nest.

Advantages:

• These roof types are beautiful and add to the aesthetics of the house.
• They are also durable.

Disadvantages:

• Now, the dome roof is a complex type; therefore, constructing it will be expensive. Although, it is possible to get a prefabricated roof, which can be used on the right structure.

With dome roofs, you can use shingles, glass, and metal, though metal is tougher and requires minimal maintenance.

Flat

Flat roofs are well, flat. But they do have a slight pitch, so water rolls off. They are great for most regions and can withstand heavy rainfall.

Advantages:

• Flat roofs are great for extra living space. You can have a roof garden or a patio, or even a penthouse.
• Also, it’s a good place to put your cooling and heating unit.
• Oh, and if you want to install PV solar panels, a flat roof is probably the best place to do that.
• They are easy to construct.
• Flat roofs also require less building materials than pitched roofs, making them cost-effective.

Disadvantages:

• Flat roofs have low pitches, which means there is a higher chance of water leaks.
• They are not the best option for places with high rainfall or snow.
• The costs are higher in the long run because of constant maintenance and repair costs.

Tips

It is important to ensure that the roof is waterproof. Thus any material with seams is not a good option. Instead, use roll roofing, tar, and gravel, TPO, metal sheets, rubber membrane, or PVC.

You can easily convert a flat roof into a green roof, which has great visual appeal and is environmentally friendly.

Gable

Gable roofs are quite popular in the US. It is also known as a peaked or pitched roof and has a triangular shape.

Advantages:

• Sheds water and snow easily
• Provides room for an attic
• Allows space for vaulted ceilings which is great for increased ventilation
• Simple design for the building, which makes it cheaper

Disadvantages:

• Gable roofs are a bit tricky in areas with hurricanes or high wind. They can easily collapse if not well constructed.
• Also, high winds can lift the roof and get it detached from the walls.

Tips for Gable Roofs

Basically, if you’re going to use a gable roof in an area with high wind, use high-quality braces. Also, once a major storm is over, inspect the roof for damage.

Also, using good quality material for covering is important, although, you can use almost any for a gable roof. Examples include metal, asphalt shingles, clay tiles, cedar shakes, or concrete tiles. It’s important to note that for roofs with valleys and hips, use standing seam or metal shingles. This way, you can protect the roof from leaks.

Types of Gable Roofs

There are different types of gable roofs, and the one you use depends largely on the region and type of building. The different types are:

1. Crossed Gable
2. Side Gable
3. Dutch Gable Roof
4. Front Gable

Gambrel

A Gambrel is also called a barn roof and is designed like a mansard, except that it only has two sides. While Gambrels are mostly used for log cabins, barns, and farmhouses, they are also used in some homes. Mostly Georgian and Dutch colonial architecture.

Advantages:

• It’s easy to create extra living space such as a loft or garret with a gambrel.
• Also, it’s quite easy to frame out.
• Again, you don’t need a lot of materials since only two roof beams are used. Thus, Gambrel is cost-effective.

Disadvantages:

• This type of roof is not suitable for areas with heavy snowfall.
• The roof style is not designed to withstand a lot of pressure and could collapse.
• Further, Gambrel roofs need constant maintenance, particularly after a heavy snowfall or rain.
• You would also need to add windows for extra light. This could lead to water leaks.

Tips for the Gambrel Roof

Practically any material can be used for the gambrel depending on the style of the house.

If you’re going to use it in a place with extreme weather, ensure that reinforced trusses are used.

Hip

Hip roofs have four sides that slope and are of equal length. These come together to form a ridge at the top.

Advantages:

• These roofs are sturdy and stable.
• They are durable and have a long life.
• Further, they are very good for areas with high winds or lots of snow.
• Because all four sides slope down, water does not stand on the roof.
• Also, it provides room for a crow’s nest or a dormer.

Disadvantages:

• When compared to gable roofs, for instance, hip roofs are quite expensive. Because it uses a complex design, it also makes use of more materials.
• Again, where a dormer is added, water leaks could easily spring up in the valleys. The solution to this is a properly installed roofing system.

Tips for Hip Roofs

If you’re going to use a hip roof, it is important to ensure that it is properly constructed. Also, you would need to carry out regular maintenance so that minor problems don’t escalate.

Interestingly, hip roofs are also quite versatile when it comes to which roofing material you can use. You can use metal, tiles, or shingles for your hip roof.

Types of Hip Roofs

The different types of hip roofs include:

1. Cross hipped
2. Simple hip
3. Half hipped

Jerkinhead

This roof type uses features of both hip and gable roofs. Which is probably why Jerkinhead roofs are also referred to as English hip or clipped gable roofs.

Advantages:

• These roof types are quite stable and so resistant to damage by heavy winds.
• They also provide extra living space, when compared to the typical hip roof.
• They have aesthetic appeal, which could also add to the value of your home.

Disadvantages:

• Jerkinhead roofs are usually more expensive than some other types of roofs, due to their complex design.

Tips:

You don’t have to use any special kind of roofing material for a jerkinhead roof. Almost any material will look good on this roof type.

Mansard

Known as a French roof, a mansard roof has four sides with a double slope on each side. These slopes come together to form a roof with a low pitch with a lower slope that is really steep. There are different types of styles, and it’s not rare to see a mansard roof with curved or flat sides.

Advantages:

• Great for creating extra living space. If you are planning to put a garret or an attic, then a mansard roof is a great option.
• It can be used for dormers, which improves the aesthetics of a building.
• Further, it is flexible and makes home additions easy.

Disadvantages:

• Mansard roofs have low pitched parts, which are not exactly great for areas with lots of snow.
• Also, they tend to cost more than other types of roofs because of the details and additions.

 Tips for Mansard Roofs

Basically, a mansard roof is different from other types because the design is unique. Therefore, you need to carefully choose a material that is equally unique to add to the visual appeal. Examples include zinc or copper.

Of course, you could also use slate shingles or wood if you prefer, but a diamond pattern will make it more special. Don’t use composition shingles that overlap. And, be sure to waterproof and properly flash the low slop part to avoid damage.

Types of Mansard roofs

The difference between mansard roofs is in the way the silhouette is arranged. Thus, you could have:

1. Straight angle silhouettes
2. Convex silhouettes
3. Concave silhouettes

Note that extra detailing is often used, such as large windows, decorative cut stone, trim, or wood quoins.

Saltbox

Generally, saltbox roofs are designed in a lopsided way, more like a flat roof that slopes on one end and a lean-to a the other. These roof types are a twist on early colonial designs and were used because they provided more room.

Advantages:

• The slanting design makes it perfect for places with high rainfall because it does not cause water to pool.
• Also, saltbox roofs are durable and sturdy.
• Then, they provide for extra living space because it’s easy to build a two-story home with this roof type.

Disadvantages:

• Although the saltbox roof looks easy, it isn’t, and this complexity means higher costs.
• The odd angle means that the ceiling will be slanted in some rooms.

A saltbox roof can also be made with practically any roofing material.

Sawtooth

The sawtooth is an interesting roof design. It has parallel pitched roofs, which may be two or more. It looked a bit like the side of a saw blade and was common on industrial buildings. Though, it’s not unusual to see them in modern designs of homes.

Advantages:

• This roof design allows more natural light into the home since windows are fitted into the vertical spaces.
• Because there are higher peaks, extra living space can be created or vaulted ceilings.
• The natural light makes this an eco-friendly roof type.

Disadvantages:

• Typical of complex roof designs, this one needs several building materials, which makes it expensive.
• The sawtooth roof requires a lot of maintenance as well, which adds to higher costs.
• Again, water damage is a real problem here with all the windows, slopes, and valleys. So, this is not a good idea for areas with heavy rainfall or snow.

Tip

The materials needed would depend largely on the style of the house. Most times, what is commonly used is steel, wood, or reinforced concrete.

Skillion

A skillion is a single roof that slopes downward. It is called a lean-to or shed roof and usually has one side taller than the other. So, there’s a slight pitch. Typically, they are used for sheds, home additions, and porches. But they are featuring more in modern, minimalist home designs.

Advantages:

• Skillions are easy to install.
• They use fewer materials than other types of roofs.
• Water easily runs off the steep pitch, making them great for regions with high snow and rain.
• They are excellent for aesthetic purposes.

Disadvantages:

• The ceiling may be too low if the pitch is too high.
• Skillion roofs might not be great for areas with high wind.

Tips

For this kind of roof, there’s no need for roofing membranes and rubber skins. Also, standing seam works better than shingles or tiles. Finally, you can install PV solar panels to make it more eco-friendly.

Pyramid

Just like the name implies, pyramid roofs have a pyramid shape with no gables or vertical sides. They are typically used in smaller buildings, like cabins. Also, you can find them in auxiliary buildings like storage buildings, garages, and pool houses.

Advantages:

• Pyramid roofs are very sturdy and can resist strong winds. This is a great choice for areas with high wind or hurricanes.
• They also provide extra living space for attics. The slopes are great for high ceilings and additional ventilation.
• Further, the overhanging eaves make for reduced energy costs.

Disadvantages:

• Like all complex roof designs, the pyramid roof is expensive.

Combination

The combination roof uses the design style of different roof types on a single structure. This is usually for aesthetic reasons and because it’s practical. So, it’s not unusual to have a home with a hip roof over the main structure while the porch has a skillion.

Advantages:

• Combination roofs have strong visual appeal and add to the beauty of a house.
• Also, by using different roof types, the best one is used for each part of the house.

Disadvantages:

• If the design calls for complexity, then this will reflect on the costs as well.
• Also, because different roof types mean more materials and labor, this adds to the costs too.
• Again, different roof types will lead to ridges and valleys, which can create areas where water pools. This can result in water damage.