Connecticut Roof Types
Many roof types exist in the building industry. Some are more common on houses than others. Before you call a roofer to take care of your roofing needs, why not do a little research for yourself and learn the different roof types? Depending on where a building is located and what type of climate it has to endure, there might be a certain roof type that's perfect for it.
Gable Roof
The gable roof is one of the most popular roof types found on homes today. Roof Helper (http://www.roofhelper.com) describes it as having two roof surfaces of the same size pitched at the same angle back to back, making a ridge at the top and forming a triangular roof. The gable roof is relatively cheap and easy to build, and it gets rid of water, allows ventilation and provides the most ceiling space.
Types of gable roofs include the side gable roof, front gable roof, cross gabled roof and Dutch gable roof. Roof Helper warns that this roof is not the best for buildings in high-wind areas and could become damaged. A roofing expert or building official can find out if your roof is properly braced for strong winds or tell you how to make your roof safer.
Mansard Roof
This roof type, named after the French architect Francois Mansart who made it popular in the 1600s, has two different slopes on each side. Roof Helper writes that the upper portion has a low slope for water runoff, and mansard roofs usually offer so much space that the attic can be turned into an extra story for a house.
Unfortunately, this type of roof is not recommended for homes in regions that get a lot of snow. Heavy snow has a tendency to build up on the low slope of a mansard roof and strain the home's bracing.
Hip Roof
Hip roofs do not have flat sides; all the sides of the roof slope down to the walls of the house. This is a common roof type but it is more difficult to build than a gable roof. However, because all of the walls for a house with a hip roof need to be the same height, building the walls for this house is easy.
They are best for homes in high-wind or hurricane areas because they are less likely to fly off the house and can internally brace the house better. Roof Helper writes that hip roofs protect more of the house from the elements, and gutters can easily be attached because of its uniform height. Homes with hip roofs provide less storage space in attics, though.
Types of hip roofs include a simple hip roof, a pyramid hip roof, cross hipped roof, half hipped roof, and a Dutch gable, which is a hybrid of a gable and hip roof.
Less Common Roof Types
Saltbox roofs are similar to gable roofs in that they offer a lot of additional space in a house. They are a one-story lean-to that's added to the back of a 1.5 or 2-story house. Grambrel roofs have to different slopes on each of the two symmetrical sides. It is similar to the mansard roof only it does not utilize four sides.
Flat roofs have slight slopes that can shed water. Roof Helper writes that this roof type is cheap to build because it requires less material, but it requires more frequent re-roofing. Pooled water can damage it so it is best used in dryer climates. Flat roof materials include rubber membranes, tar and gravel, and metal sheets.
Gambrel roofs are usually referred to as barn roofs as they are used on hay barns. Bonnet roofs are very uncommon and can be described as the opposite as a mansard roof. The upper slope is steeper than the bottom slope, and the bottom slope often hangs over the house to act as a cover.
Contacting one of our professional roofing contractors can help you determine what type of roof is best for a Connecticut home and how to repair these roof types.
