Roofing Style Guide
There are many roofing styles to choose from. All Seasons Roofing created this guide to help you understand the types of roofs you may see on a commercial or residential building. To read about the pros and cons of different roofing material, check out our blog, “An Overview of Roofing Materials.”
Flat Roof Style
Although flat roofs are essentially flat, roofers will incorporate a slight slope to a flat roof to help shed excess water. For this reason, flat roofs are sometimes called “low slope roofs”. Although these roofs are more economical than other roofs because they require a minimum amount of material, flat roofs will also need upgrading every 15 years because materials are not as durable as pitched roof materials.
Flat roofs without some kind of slope are vulnerable to degradation if water is allowed to pool on them for extended periods. Utah residents living in areas where frequent snowstorms and heavy spring rains occur should consider choosing another roof style for their home or business structure that is more adaptive to extreme wet weather or make sure the roof is fully protected by a waterproof coating.
Shed Roof Style
These roofs slope down in one direction. They are characteristic of a “lean-to” roof. They typically look like wedges. Shed roofs are easy and affordable to build, and are often associated with porches and home additions. Shed roofs work well in Utah’s constantly changing climate because they allow immediate rain, melting snow runoff and can easily adapt to green building designs that utilize solar panels.
Gable Roof Style
By pitching two roof surfaces at the same angle, gable roofs create a triangular roof that present a ridge at the top. Composed of same-sized, common rafters that attach to both sides, gable roofs effectively allow water and melted snow to run off, facilitate ventilation, and offer building owners ample ceiling space.
Homes with “front” gables have their front door placed directly under the gable while homes with “side” gables have the triangle-shaped part of the roof on either ends of the home. Both front and side gabled roofs are specially designed to enhance water run-off and alleviate the weight of heavy, wet snowfalls. However, Utah residents who live near canyons or wish to build a home near a canyon should be aware that gabled roofs act like sails when winds are strong. If winds are strong enough, they could lift the eaves away from the building and cause damage.
Hipped Roof Style
Hipped roofs have 4 sides that slope down to connect with the walls of a building, and have a consistent level fascia, meaning that a gutter can be fitted all around. Homes in hurricane or high wind areas (like Utah’s canyon regions) would benefit from having a hipped roof. This roof style also protects buildings from the elements which helps reduce maintenance on the structure. However, hipped roofs do not provide the internal space that gabled roofs do and they may make it more difficult to access certain areas that require maintenance. Representing the second most popular roof style in North America, hipped roofs also slope down on all sides to allow immediate run-off of heavy moisture.
Gambrel Roof Style
Referred to as gambrel roofs, these barn-style roofs are designed to afford more storage area at the top of a building, specifically barns that need extra space for livestock feed and equipment. Gambrel roofs give buildings an old-world charm that is visually pleasant and symmetrical. Utah residents living in low-wind areas could place a gambrel roof on their home but residents living in high-wind regions should select a different roof style since traditional gambrel roofs are not particularly strong and wind resistant.
Mansard Roof Style
Mansard roofs present two different slopes on either side, with the lower part of the roof having a steep pitch and the upper part a low slope sufficient enough to allow adequate water runoff. These are similar to gambrel roofs, however, these roofs are flat on top instead of coming to a point. Usually, the low slope part of a mansard roof is not visible from the ground and dormers may be attached to the steep portion.
Utah residents will enjoy several benefits provided by a mansard roof, including maximization of second-floor bedroom or attic space, easy installation of arched windows or skylights if desired and improved ventilation for upper rooms. Additionally, mansard roofs offer excellent protection against weather extremes due to the vertical sides acting as sturdy walls against wind storms and blizzards. Most areas of a mansard roof are also protected against strong, noonday sunlight. During winter, however, Utah residents with mansard roofs will need to give the flat portion of this type of roof extra attention to prevent build-up of snow and ice damming.
Dormer Roof Style
Dormers are those structures you see surrounding windows that project outward from sloped roofs, usually a window is used. Set vertically on the slope of a roof, dormers essentially have their own roofs and offer Utah building owners additional attic space, ventilation and natural light. Moreover, dormers can be added to gable, hip and shed style roofs.
Cross Gable Roof Style
This roof style consists of two gable sections attached at a right angle that form two ridges usually perpendicular to each other. Cross gable roofs are frequently seen on Cape Cod or Tudor style homes and homes that are typically square or rectangular shaped. Offering the same benefits as traditional gable roofs, cross gable roofs do require more materials and labor to construct but provide a unique architectural style for Utah homeowners searching for an aesthetic roof design that facilitates snow and water runoff during spring and winter.
Cross Hipped Roof Style
Sensibly designed, sturdy and offering protection against strong canyon winds, cross hipped roofs are low-pitched, have no flat or vertical sides and are often seen atop L-shaped houses. During the summer, Utah residents will enjoy the ability of a cross hipped roof to provide shade from the hot sun throughout their home while helping reduce cooling costs.
Let All Seasons Roofing Do All the Work – Roofing Salt Lake City
Whether you are a homeowner or business that needs roof repair or you want to replace your old roof with one of these sensational roof types, All Seasons Roofing is the place to go for all Salt Lake Valley home and business owners searching for professional roofing services. All Seasons Roofing always puts the customer first and proves this by offering free estimates, financing, and you don’t pay a cent towards a deposit–you pay when you are completely satisfied.
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