Know Your Houzz: What Type of Roof Do You Have?
Get to know the many roof shapes architects and builders use with this Houzz guide
Rebecca Gross
19 June 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
What would a house be without a roof, given its primary function is to provide shelter? While a roof is one of the most essential and functional aspects of a house, designed to cope with the elements of wind, rain and harsh sun, it also adds character and aesthetic value to a structure. Here’s a glossary of roof shapes that can be seen on contemporary and traditional houses today.
Dual-pitched or gable roof
This roof shape has a long and revered lineage, with its roots in classical Greek and Roman architecture. ‘Pitch’ refers to the slope or steepness of a roof plane. A dual-pitched or gable roof consists of two sloping planes that meet at a ridge in the centre of the house. They make a triangle form and the angle of the intersection may be acute or oblique.
Dual-pitched or gable roofs are well suited to regions with heavy snowfall, as the steeper the slope, the easier the snow will slide off.
This roof shape has a long and revered lineage, with its roots in classical Greek and Roman architecture. ‘Pitch’ refers to the slope or steepness of a roof plane. A dual-pitched or gable roof consists of two sloping planes that meet at a ridge in the centre of the house. They make a triangle form and the angle of the intersection may be acute or oblique.
Dual-pitched or gable roofs are well suited to regions with heavy snowfall, as the steeper the slope, the easier the snow will slide off.
Flat roof
A flat roof is exactly what it says it is: flat. However, while they are distinctively level or horizontal, they do typically have a minor incline or slope to allow for water run-off and drainage. Flat roofs proved popular in Modernist architecture of the early- and mid-twentieth century, and have remained a characteristic feature of many modern and contemporary homes.
Flat roofs eliminate unusable space inside the home. Although in contrast to gable roofs, they are not well-suited to regions with large amounts of snowfall or precipitation as there is no slope to aid runoff.
Browse a gallery of flat roofs
A flat roof is exactly what it says it is: flat. However, while they are distinctively level or horizontal, they do typically have a minor incline or slope to allow for water run-off and drainage. Flat roofs proved popular in Modernist architecture of the early- and mid-twentieth century, and have remained a characteristic feature of many modern and contemporary homes.
Flat roofs eliminate unusable space inside the home. Although in contrast to gable roofs, they are not well-suited to regions with large amounts of snowfall or precipitation as there is no slope to aid runoff.
Browse a gallery of flat roofs
Mono-pitched, skillion, shed or lean-to roof
This roof by many names has just one sloping plane angled over the house. It allows for higher ceilings, more natural light in the house and a greater sense of spaciousness inside.
This roof by many names has just one sloping plane angled over the house. It allows for higher ceilings, more natural light in the house and a greater sense of spaciousness inside.
Oblique roof
An oblique roof is steeply pitched and appears like a giant wing soaring above a building’s outer edge. As an oblique roof extends beyond the walls of the house, it provides privacy and shelter for outside entertaining areas while still allowing natural light to filter inside.
An oblique roof is steeply pitched and appears like a giant wing soaring above a building’s outer edge. As an oblique roof extends beyond the walls of the house, it provides privacy and shelter for outside entertaining areas while still allowing natural light to filter inside.
Hipped roof
A hipped roof has three, four or more pitched planes, depending on the shape of the house, and all planes slope downwards from a ridge at the top of the roof. The hipped roof often has large eaves around the edge of the house and is said to be stronger in windy conditions than a gable roof.
Browse more hipped roofs
A hipped roof has three, four or more pitched planes, depending on the shape of the house, and all planes slope downwards from a ridge at the top of the roof. The hipped roof often has large eaves around the edge of the house and is said to be stronger in windy conditions than a gable roof.
Browse more hipped roofs
Pyramid roof
The pyramid roof is very similar to the hipped roof, except that the planes meet at a single point or apex rather than a ridge. Clearly derived from Egypt’s great pyramids, they found popularity in America in the early 1900s on a boxy housing type called American Foursquare.
The pyramid roof is very similar to the hipped roof, except that the planes meet at a single point or apex rather than a ridge. Clearly derived from Egypt’s great pyramids, they found popularity in America in the early 1900s on a boxy housing type called American Foursquare.
Sawtooth roof
A sawtooth roof is a series of ridges in which vertical planes (often glass) meet pitched planes. The name refers to the fact that these roofs look like the teeth on a saw and may consist of a single tooth or many teeth.
Architects used sawtooth roofs in 19th-century factories, before the days of electric lighting when daylight needed to reach the deep dark recesses of the building, which happened through the vertical glass panes. Thus, a sawtooth roof more effectively exploits daylight, allowing natural light and warmth to spread further into the house.
A sawtooth roof is a series of ridges in which vertical planes (often glass) meet pitched planes. The name refers to the fact that these roofs look like the teeth on a saw and may consist of a single tooth or many teeth.
Architects used sawtooth roofs in 19th-century factories, before the days of electric lighting when daylight needed to reach the deep dark recesses of the building, which happened through the vertical glass panes. Thus, a sawtooth roof more effectively exploits daylight, allowing natural light and warmth to spread further into the house.
Butterfly or inverted-gable roof
This roof shape resembles the wingspan of a butterfly and consists of two planes that slant down towards each other, instead of away from each other. The butterfly roof gained popularity in the 1950s and ’60s, and is still used by contemporary architects today. It eliminates the need for a traditional gutter and downspout system, as rainwater drains into the central trough where it can be harvested.
This roof shape resembles the wingspan of a butterfly and consists of two planes that slant down towards each other, instead of away from each other. The butterfly roof gained popularity in the 1950s and ’60s, and is still used by contemporary architects today. It eliminates the need for a traditional gutter and downspout system, as rainwater drains into the central trough where it can be harvested.
Hyperbolic paraboloid or saddle roof
A hyperbolic paraboloid or saddle roof curves both ways – following a convex curve about one axis and a concave curve about the other. The tension of the roof makes it appear as if stretched from corner to corner, creating a seemingly organic form. While progressive architects first used the hyperbolic paraboloid roof in the 1950s and ’60s, it still evokes a very modern aesthetic today.
A hyperbolic paraboloid or saddle roof curves both ways – following a convex curve about one axis and a concave curve about the other. The tension of the roof makes it appear as if stretched from corner to corner, creating a seemingly organic form. While progressive architects first used the hyperbolic paraboloid roof in the 1950s and ’60s, it still evokes a very modern aesthetic today.
Cantilevered roof
Cantilevered roofs are anchored at one end and free at the other and provide both shade and shelter without obtrusive supports. With no columns or posts there are no visual or physical obstructions; but rather a sense of airiness and dramatic aesthetics.
Cantilevered roofs are anchored at one end and free at the other and provide both shade and shelter without obtrusive supports. With no columns or posts there are no visual or physical obstructions; but rather a sense of airiness and dramatic aesthetics.
Green or living roof
A green or living roof is a flat or pitched surface planted partially or completely with vegetation, in a soil-covered waterproof membrane. These roofs can absorb and redirect rainwater, provide insulation, create a habitat for wildlife and help to lower urban air temperatures.
More Australian dwellings with green roofs
A green or living roof is a flat or pitched surface planted partially or completely with vegetation, in a soil-covered waterproof membrane. These roofs can absorb and redirect rainwater, provide insulation, create a habitat for wildlife and help to lower urban air temperatures.
More Australian dwellings with green roofs
Gambrel roof
A gambrel roof is a two-sided roof with two slopes on each side; the upper plane is less steep than the lower plane on each side. The roof shape is characteristic of American barns, also giving it the name ‘barn roof’. This roof shape offers the benefits of a sloped roof increasing space and headroom inside the building’s upper level.
See a gallery of more gambrel roofs
A gambrel roof is a two-sided roof with two slopes on each side; the upper plane is less steep than the lower plane on each side. The roof shape is characteristic of American barns, also giving it the name ‘barn roof’. This roof shape offers the benefits of a sloped roof increasing space and headroom inside the building’s upper level.
See a gallery of more gambrel roofs
Mansard roof
A mansard roof is tres francais, and originates from the French architect François Mansart (1598-1666) of the Beaux Arts School of Architecture in Paris, France. It is similar to the gambrel roof with a steeper upper slope and shallower lower slope on each side. However, the roof has four sides and the lower slope is curved inward. With dormers, mansard roofs can accommodate extra rooms, by providing space within the top level of the building.
A mansard roof is tres francais, and originates from the French architect François Mansart (1598-1666) of the Beaux Arts School of Architecture in Paris, France. It is similar to the gambrel roof with a steeper upper slope and shallower lower slope on each side. However, the roof has four sides and the lower slope is curved inward. With dormers, mansard roofs can accommodate extra rooms, by providing space within the top level of the building.
Bonnet roof
A bonnet roof is also derived from French vernacular architecture and commonly seen in various regions of the United States, usually on more traditional-style homes. This roof shape is a reversed gambrel or Mansard roof, with the lower plane at a gentler pitch than the upper plane. The lower slope hangs over the side of the house, providing eaves and cover for an open verandah.
A bonnet roof is also derived from French vernacular architecture and commonly seen in various regions of the United States, usually on more traditional-style homes. This roof shape is a reversed gambrel or Mansard roof, with the lower plane at a gentler pitch than the upper plane. The lower slope hangs over the side of the house, providing eaves and cover for an open verandah.
Domed roof
Domed roofs have graced some of the most illustrious buildings in history, including Rome’s Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. A domed roof is a hemispherical structure based on the principle of the arch. Because it does not require a supporting framework under the vaulting, interior rooms can be large and spacious.
Domed roofs have graced some of the most illustrious buildings in history, including Rome’s Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. A domed roof is a hemispherical structure based on the principle of the arch. Because it does not require a supporting framework under the vaulting, interior rooms can be large and spacious.
Conical and witch’s hat roofs
A conical roof is circular on plan and rises to terminate in a point, forming a cone shape, hence the name. The witch’s hat roof is similarly conical in form, however it has a skinny peaked top and flared bottom. These roof shapes often sit atop a turret or cylindrical volume, and are derived from medieval architecture, such as castles and fortifications.
TELL US
What kind of roof does your home have? Upload a photo and share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
13 Roofs That Rule the Roost
10 Gable Roofs That Praise the Triangle
Houzz Tour: Butterfly Roof Flatters Sydney Terrace
A conical roof is circular on plan and rises to terminate in a point, forming a cone shape, hence the name. The witch’s hat roof is similarly conical in form, however it has a skinny peaked top and flared bottom. These roof shapes often sit atop a turret or cylindrical volume, and are derived from medieval architecture, such as castles and fortifications.
TELL US
What kind of roof does your home have? Upload a photo and share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
13 Roofs That Rule the Roost
10 Gable Roofs That Praise the Triangle
Houzz Tour: Butterfly Roof Flatters Sydney Terrace
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Thanks for a great article. It's wonderful to see all the different types of roof options are out there. For me a roof has to be easy to high pressure clean, as well as looking striking and making a statement visually.
Roofs - most important to have sufficient drainage and from my experience box gutters are prone to eventually leak and when they do it's water coming into the structure
Flat roofs can look great but often have the bare minimum pitch of 3 degrees and over time I have seen the water ponding on these roofs as the metal stretches (especially when using Aluminum. The ponding means corrosion occurs in this areas.
Gardens on roof areas look good and give a pleasant feel to your dwelling. With these it is important to make sure the plant roots don't penetrate the waterproof membrane
Water spilling over external gutter
A very handsome example of the conical roof - the stone work is devine.