Popular Roof Designs

Gable roof designs are one of the most simplistic roof designs. They are easily recognized by their triangular shape. What makes it so popular is that the slant, or pitch, of the gables varies, giving architects the flexibility to incorporate it in a variety of architectural styles from Craftsman to Contemporary. Gabled roofs can be covered with almost any type of roofing material. Their inherently simple design makes it easy to build them and cheaper than more complex designs. 

As the name suggests, Flat roofs have little to no pitch; a shallow pitch would be around 1 or 2 degrees. Flat roofs are easier to construct than pitched roofs and require fewer building materials, keeping costs down. However, the low pitch makes flat roofs more susceptible to water leakage. They are not advised for high rainfall or high snowfall areas. Although the upfront cost of building a flat roof is less expensive than a pitched roof, they can be more expensive in the long run due to maintenance and ongoing roof repair and replacement costs.

A mansard roof is practically flat on top, but slopes almost vertically down on all four sides. Mansard roofs are a characteristic of French Renaissance architecture. Mansard roofs are great for people wanting flexibility to make future home additions. When first designing and building a home, you can actually save money by having a simple mansard design to start off. – You can then add on a garret or dormers at a later date. This will not only add value to the house, but it also allows homeowners to easily make additions as their needs change.