Building your dream home is one of the most exciting things that most of us can do in this lifetime. From curating your perfect kitchen to creating your family room oasis, the possibilities are endless. However, in the face of excitement and anticipation for the completion of your heavenly hearth, there’s a looming sense that something was forgotten, sort of like when you get to the airport before your week-long vacation and realize you’ve forgotten your contacts. Been there, done that.
Only, this time your forgetfulness will showcase itself to the entire neighborhood. Why? You forgot to choose the best roofing style for your new home! Okay, take a deep breath, you’ve got some time. RoofCrafters has been installing new roofs and bringing the dreams of homeowners like you to life for nearly 30 years now, and we know a thing or two about aesthetics and technique. Needless to say, we’ve got you covered when it comes to functionality and style.
All of this being said, if you’re reading this article it’s safe to say that you’re curious about the most popular styles of roofing. Well, it’s a good thing you’re here because, in this article, I’ll be discussing the 5 most popular roofing styles in the U.S. so you can better understand which option is the best fit for your home. So, if you’ve forgotten your contacts after all, grab those silly glasses from high school, and let’s get started!
What Are the 5 Most Popular Roof Styles?
North America is a melting pot of cultures, which is what makes it so great. Part of this blend of cultures means that over the years we’ve come to appreciate the different stylistic choices that come along with them. From rustic to gothic, chic to antiquated, the roofing style options are endless. However, the roofing styles we tend to see time after time that never go out of style include:
- Mansard roof
- Gable roof
- Hip roof
- Gambrel roof
- Flat roof
Mansard Roof
A mansard roof is a French style of roof that is made up of four double-sloped sides. Where the sides meet creates a low-pitched roof in the middle, which adds more space to your home. This area can be used for attic storage or even a loft for the kids.
The four sloped sides can either be curved or flat, but that lower slope in the middle must always have a steeper pitch than the upper levels. Because of the unique angles at play, adding a dormer window or two is essential if you want to bring in light through the lofted area.
The addition of dormers to your mansard roof is not only practical but incredibly aesthetically pleasing as well. A lot of higher-end homes may include stone or woodwork around the trim of their dormers adding a stylistic flare. That being said, mansard roofs are oftentimes more expensive than other options due to the extra details that most homeowners tend to put into them.
Gable Roof
Gable roofs, also known as pitched roofs are by far the most popular type of roof in North America. They’re easy to recognize by their triangular shape - I’m sure you have a few in your neighborhood. This is the factor that makes them so popular. Because of their shape, gable roofs have the ability to shed rain and snowfall with ease, preventing any water pooling and roof leaks in the future.
Like mansard roofs, gable roofs also provide more space to your home, giving you the possibility of an attic or vaulted ceilings. This is practical, as it allows for more ventilation. They’re easy to build and tend to be less expensive than the other options on the market.
However, gable roofs have proven to be problematic in storm-prone regions, especially in the Southeast where hurricanes are prevalent. If you opt for a gable roof regardless of the windy weather in your region, it’s important that your contractor uses braces, and that you’re diligent about having your roof inspected after large storms.
Hip Roof
Hip roofs are another incredibly common roof type and come in second place on the popularity scale after gable roofs. This type of roof is composed of slopes on all four sides which come together to form a ridge at the top. Like gable roofs, the slopes allow rain and snow to easily run off, saving you the headache of water damage in the future. In fact, hip roofs tend to be more stable than gable roofs because they have an inward pitch on all four sides instead of two.
If you’re someone who envisions a dreamy entryway into your home, a hip roof might be the route to take. This style of roofing oftentimes includes front gables which highlight your porch or entryway area giving you optimal design and style choices.
Gambrel Roof
If you’ve ever driven past a rustic home or farmhouse, it’s a safe bet that the roof on that home was a gambrel roof. In fact, gambrel roofs are often referred to as barn-style roofs. They’re similar to mansard roofs in several ways, but quite like gable roofs, they only have two sloped sides instead of four. That benign said gambrel roofs tend to take after a triangular shape as opposed to a square.
In fact, due to their shape, gambrel roofs have a steeper lower slope that almost appears as vertical. Its upper slope is gentle though, making it softer in appearance. Gambrel roofs also offer extra space for living or storage purposes, making them a great choice for your home. If you’re going for the rustic, farmhouse style, a gambrel roof is by far the best option for you.
Flat Roof
Last but certainly not least, we have our flat roofs. Their description is pretty much self-explanatory; flat roofs are roofs that are, well, flat. Don’t be fooled, though. Like any roof, flat roofs still have a pitch, however, the slope is so little that the roof appears to be completely flat to the naked eye.
Although flat roofs are more common on commercial properties, there are many homeowners across the country that feature flat roofs on their lanais, porches, garages, and carports. If you’re someone who enjoys spending time outside but is not necessarily a fan of Mother Natures' creatures, adding a screened-in porch with a flat roof is a wonderful addition to your home, allowing you to enjoy the weather without any furry visitors.
Which Style of Roofing Is Right for Me?
So, which style is right for you? At the end of the day, the decision is in your hands. In this article, you learned about the 5 most popular roof styles in North America, along with what makes them such popular choices. A homeowner’s style and aesthetic are different from one person to the next, so what you believe looks best on your roof may not look best on your neighbors. Choose wisely!
If you’re having trouble envisioning what your future roof may look like on your home, get in touch with your local roofing contractor. They’ll inspect your current roof, and help you decide which new type of roofing will function the best, all while looking even better. A professional roofing contractor will be skilled to help you fit the right style option within your budget.
If you’re struggling to find the best contractor for the job, be sure to download “The Top 10 Most Critical Questions You Want to Ask Your Potential Roofing Contractor”. This checklist includes several different prompts to ask your roofer to prepare you to hold the company accountable for its quality of work and services when it comes to your roof installation. In the meantime, continue learning about your roofing project with our article, “How Do I Pick the Best Color for My Roof?” so that you can better understand how to choose the right color for the style of your new roof!
