Whether you’re getting a new roof or planning a home addition that needs more roof space, you should be aware of some of the most prevalent roof designs and how they affect your choice of roofing materials.

Roof Designs, Shapes, and Styles

Depending on the construction of a house, the roof may make up to 40% of the exterior, frequently playing a significant part in its overall appearance and curb appeal when it’s time to replace your roof, choose roofing materials and shingle colors that suit the form and slope of your roof and the exterior architecture of your house.

Knowing the possible performance and design effects of various roof shapes and slopes may assist you in determining which shingles and roofing materials are ideal for your house in terms of performance and aesthetics.

Pro Tip: V. Guinta & Son Roofing shingles are compatible with practically all roof designs as long as the roof slope satisfies minimal standards. V. Guinta & Son Roofing provides various roofing shingles in various colors that suit any roof design and house exterior and are sturdy to help protect your property from the elements.

Roof Slope

The slope of your roof serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. Water from rain or snow, for example, sheds or runs off more quickly over a steeply sloped roof. The roof’s slope is stated as a ratio depending on the proportions of the roof.

Roofers may use the expression 6 in 12 or a reduced variant such as 6:12 or 6/12. This indicates that the ceiling rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 inches horizontally (or 1 foot). This is readily adaptable to any number. A 4 in 12 sloped roof will rise four inches vertically and 12 inches horizontally.

Whether it has flat slopes or steep inclines, your home’s roof pitch may help create a distinctive image.

While selecting roofing materials, bear in mind that the steeper the slope, the more apparent the surface of your roof is from the ground, possibly having an even bigger influence on the outside architectural aesthetics of your house.

Most homeowners will be able to delegate these calculations to their roofing contractor. It’s crucial to note that the International Residential Code specifies minimum slope standards for all roof coverings, including asphalt roofing shingles. Your roofing contractor can advise you on the best option for your slope.

While certain roof designs are usually constructed with a specific slope, this is not an absolute rule.

8 Common Roof Types

1. Gable Roof

Consider your first crayon sketch of a house. You probably sketched a gable roof. It’s a triangle, with the base on top of the house and the two sides rising to meet the ridge. Slopes on gable roofs may range from steep chalet-style structures to rooftops with a mild inclination.

The gable is a typical roof form that looks well in various house styles. You may dress it up with front gables over your entryways or choose a crossing gable style with two ridges at right angles.

2. Clipped Gable Roof

The clipped gable roof is also known as the bullnose roof. Clipped gable roofs have the fundamental form of a gable, with two sides rising to meet a ridge, but they also borrow an element from hip roofs: the top peaks are “bent in,” generating little hips at the roof ridge ends.

These hips provide an intriguing architectural aspect to houses while highlighting high-performance, designer shingles.

3. Dutch Gable Roof

The Dutch gable roof is another hybrid incorporating architectural characteristics from the gable and hip roofs. A little gable roof, or “gablet,” sits above a typical hip roof.

The gable part increases attic space and may even be outfitted with windows for additional sunshine.

4. Gambrel Roof

You’ve just visualized a gambrel roof; picture a traditional red barn with white trim. Each of its two sides has two steep and mild slopes. Depending on the design, the top level may be used as an attic room or a loft. Installing windows to the gambrel roof’s sides may bring in natural light and expand the utilization of the top story.

Since the steep parts of gambrel roofs are quite apparent, homeowners should carefully examine their roofing shingles’ look.

5. Hip Roof

Four slopes of equal length comprise a standard hip roof, which forms a simple ridge. Moreover, there are variations, such as the half-hip, which has two sides that are shorter and have eaves.

If your house has a hip roof, you may have observed that most of the roof is visible outside. A hip roof is quite noticeable. Therefore the kind and color of roofing shingles you choose will significantly impact your home’s appearance.

6. Mansard Roof

An extraordinary example of a mansard roof inspired by French architecture is the Louvre Museum in Paris. With this four-sided, double-sloped form, the lowest slopes may be flat or curved and are rather steep.

The mansard roof was invented in France and quickly became common in the US. The shape lets homeowners use the top floor totally and looks charming when dormers are added since it has a lot of internal attic space and different types of windows.

Pro Tip: Using architectural shingles in a slate-like form, such as V. Guinta & Son Roofing shingles, may enhance the old-world appeal of this roof design even more.

7. Shed Roof

A shed roof is a good choice if you appreciate modern home ideas. This “lean-to” style resembles a portion of a standard roof. The shed roof has traditionally been used for porches and additions, but it now adorns the whole structure in ultra-modern residences. Most shed roofs have a lower slope, the most common being 4 in 12 or less. Higher slopes, however, may hasten water flow.

Shed-roofed homes are often distinctive structures that reflect the likes and personalities of their owners. Shed roofs provide a variety of unusual window configuration possibilities, from small rows of glass panes just under the roof to large picture windows running the length of the front of the house.

8. Flat Roof (Low Slope Roof)

When most people think of flat roofs, they think of strip malls and industrial buildings. Yet, many mid-century modern architects experimented with flat roof lines between 1945 and 1970, building dream houses for movie stars and affluent businesspeople.

Flat roofs suited the aesthetic of the time, blending well with the surroundings and allowing for great open floor designs. Some houses have a little flat surface area, with the remainder of the roof being gable or hip. A flat roof may also be used in extensions to create additional second-story living space.

Remember that level does not always imply flat; there should be some inclination to allow for water drainage.

Pro Tip: Flat (low-slope) roofs are very sensitive to leaks. Thus they must be waterproofed entirely and coated with an appropriate material, such as a self-adhered, multi-ply, SBS-modified bitumen membrane system, a PVC, TPO, or rubber membrane.

How Do You Choose Roofing Shingles for Your Roof Style?

We’ve broken down typical roof forms with a range of sub-types that may be combined in combination designs. It is up to you to choose the best shingle choice.

Drive around areas, look at homes online, and read publications to pick a roof design and color that matches your ideal home.

Assess your surroundings. Depending on your personality and external design objectives, you’ll have the option of blending in or standing out.

Also, construction rules or HOA limitations may limit your alternatives, so do your homework before embarking on any project.

V. Guinta & Son Roofing shingles may be utilized on any roof type except for specific roof slopes. Call V. Guinta & Son Roofing to review roof color and design tools to see what your roof may look like in several shingle shapes and colors and to help you match the roof with the outside of your home and then we can get started on your new roof!