5 Roof Shapes and How to Spot Them

Despite being absolutely crucial, very few of us give much pause for thought about the roof over our heads. Many assume that all roofs are designed and installed exactly the same, though the reality is far different.

Depending on the building in question and the environment in which the property is located, there are a wide variety of different roof types which can be employed. Here is a brief rundown of some of the common roof shapes in the UK, as well as the various merits and drawbacks of each and some pointers on how to identify them.

1) Hip roofs

One of the most popular types of roofs for domestic properties, hip roofs are defined by their four sides which slope gently away from the ridge. With no gables or vertical sides to the roof, each of its faces is pitched at the same angle as the others, creating a symmetrical impression from the centre point. Due to their inward sloping nature, hip roofs are among the sturdiest and longest-lasting roofs available. Crossed hip roofs employ the same design but on more unusual building layouts, such as T-shaped or L-shaped ground plans.

2) Gable roofs

Another hugely popular option, gable roofs feature two sloping sides which meet in the middle at the central ridge. They’re excellent at handling rain and snow, which makes the ideal for colder parts of the world. There are a number of variations on this design, including box gable roofs (which feature triangular extensions at the end of the ridges), cross gable roofs (which feature two or more gable roof ridges intersecting at an angle) and Dutch gable roofs (a hybrid of hip and gable varieties).

3) Dormer roofs

Dormer roofs utilise a traditionalise pitched design (including either of those mentioned above), but embellish it with the addition of a protruding window that projects out of the side of the roof. This choice of roof is most popular when the homeowner wishes to convert their loft, since it is an easy way to maximise both the space and natural light entering into the loft.

4) Flat roofs

As the name suggests, a flat roof is not visibly pitched like all of the others mentioned previously. While its surface is flat, it’s not exactly horizontal like it may appear as first glance. Instead, it has a slight angle to its pitch, which allows for rainwater to run off it and drain away safely. Flat roofs are commonly favoured for commercial and industrial buildings, but can also serve residential properties well. Although generally cheaper and easier to install, they can end up costing more in the long run due to the high maintenance costs associated with them.

5) Mansard roofs

Often associated with France, a mansard roof follows the hip roof design in that it has four different sides, but it embellishes it by including two different gradients on the slopes of all sides. The uppermost slope is generally gentler, while the lower slope drops away more sharply. This option lends itself well to dormer windows and is, as a result, popular for loft conversions, too. However, the low-hanging dimensions of its lower slopes make it unsuitable for areas which experience high volumes of snowfall.

Superior roofs, whatever the shape

Are you interested in upgrading the roof on your property? DPR Roofing have been serving both domestic and commercial customers in Huddersfield for over 30 years, installing roofs of all shapes and sizes in that time.

To find out more, call us on 01484 866 772 or send an enquiry to [email protected] and one of our friendly team will get back to you as soon as we can.