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Up on the Rooftop

A Look At The Different Types Of Roof Shapes On Residential Structures

22 April 2020

Lori Silva

Getting to know your roof as a homeowner can do you a lot of good. There are numerous types of roof styles out there, and each has its own desirable attributes. Here is a look at a few of the different types of roof shapes on residential structures. 

Mansard Roof 

The mansard roof is a unique roof style that many people relate to the same shape as an old-fashioned barn. This roof has three primary peaks; one that runs along the center of the roof and two other slightly shorter peaks that run parallel to that center peak. Mansard roofs are a little harder to roof because the outer slopes are an almost-vertical pitch. Nevertheless, most types of roofing do work on the mansard roof, such as asphalt shingles, wooden shakes, and metal. 

Mono-Pitched Roof 

Mono-pitched roofs are a little less common than a lot of other roofing styles, but they have their fair share of appeal among people who like a more modern home look. These roofs actually have various individual roof sections, and each of them may have a varied pitch from the next. You may see a roof that has two pitches, three pitches, or perhaps even four or more on a rather large home. In general, this makes the home look like it has multiple sections and that each section has its own individual slanted roof, but each of those sections is then pushed together to form a full unit. 

Gable Roofs 

Gable roofs are one of the most common types of roofs found in the modern world. These roofs have the trademark triangular roof shape with a single-peaked ridge running across the center. Gable roofs tend to fare best with either metal or asphalt shingle roofing materials, but other materials can be used as well. Gable roofs do have their downfalls, however. The roof can be more susceptible to wind damage because of the height of the peak. 

Flat Roof

The flat roof is far less common on residential properties, but it can be viable in some areas where large amounts of precipitation are not a concern. Flat roofs tend to have no pitch, but it is possible for the roof to have a very slight pitch to encourage water flow away from the center of the structure. Flat roofing is not outfitted with typical roofing materials; most are covered with a rubberized membrane or other plasticized roofing material. 

Reach out to a roofer in your area for more information. 

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