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If you’re getting a new roof or building an addition on your home that requires extra roof space, then you may want to familiarize yourself with some of the most common roof designs and how they impact your choice of roofing materials.

A roof can potentially make up 40% of the exterior, often playing a big role in its overall look and curb appeal. So, when the time comes to install a new roof, you’ll want to pick roofing materials and shingle colors that work well with the shape and slope of your roof, as well as complement your home’s exterior design.

Below are 8 Common Roof Types:

1. Gable Roof
Think back to your first crayon drawing of a home. Chances are you drew a gable roof. It’s basically a triangle with the base resting atop the house and the two sides rising to meet the ridge. Slopes can vary drastically on the gable roof from steep chalet-style designs to rooftops with a gentle grade.

Gable Roof
The gable is an extremely popular roof style, and it works well on a variety of home designs. You can fancy it up with front gables over your entryways or go with a crossed gable design that consists of two ridges set at right angles.

2. Clipped Gable Roof
The clipped gable roof goes by several names, including bullnose. Clipped gable roofs are designed with the basic shape of a gable, with two sides rising to meet a ridge, but then borrow an element from hip roofs: the top peaks are “bent in,” creating small hips at the ends of the roof ridge.

These hips provide an interesting architectural detail to homes and help showcase high-performance, designer shingles.

3. Dutch Gable Roof
The Dutch gable roof is another combination style roof that uses design elements of both gable and hip roofs. A miniature gable roof, or “gablet”, is perched atop a traditional hip roof.

The gable portion provides homeowners with increased attic space and can even be fitted with windows for added sunlight.

4. Gambrel Roof
Picture a classic red barn with white trim, and you’ve just envisioned a gambrel roof. Its two sides have two slopes each, one steep and one gentle. The design permits the use of the upper floor either as an attic room or loft. Adding windows to the sides of the gambrel roof can bring natural light in and increase the use of the upper story.

The steep sections of gambrel roofs are very visible, so homeowners should carefully consider the appearance of their roofing shingles.

5. Hip Roof
A traditional hip roof consists of four equal-length slopes that meet to form a simple ridge. There are variations, though, such as a half-hip that features two shorter sides with eaves.

If you have a hip roof, then you may have already realized that most of the roof is visible when looking at your house. The type and color of roofing shingles you get installed on a hip roof will make up a big piece of your home’s overall exterior look because it is so highly visible.

6. Mansard Roof
The Louvre Museum in Paris is an excellent example of the mansard roof, which takes its classic shape from French architecture. This four-sided design with double slopes has very steep lower slopes, which can be flat or curved.

Although the mansard roof originated in France, it quickly became popular in the United States. The style lets homeowners make full use of the upper story with an abundance of interior attic space and multiple windows, and it looks especially appealing when dormers are added.

Pro Tip: Opting for architectural shingles in a slate-like shape, like Owens Corning® Berkshire® shingles, can enhance this roof design’s old-world aesthetic even more.

7. Shed Roof
If you favor modern home designs, you’ll likely appreciate a shed roof. This “lean-to” style resembles half of a traditional gable. While it’s long been used for porches and additions, the shed roof now graces the entire structure on ultra-modern builds. Most shed roofs tend to have lower slopes, with 4 in 12 and below most common, although steeper slopes will speed up water runoff.

Homes with shed roofs tend to be unique structures that reflect their owners’ style and personality. Shed roofs allow for some interesting window placement opportunities, from small rows of glass panes directly beneath the roof to large picture windows across the front of the house.

8. Flat Roof (Low Slope Roof)
When most people think of flat roofs, strip malls and industrial complexes often come to mind. However, during the period between 1945 and 1970, many mid-century modern architects experimented with flat rooflines creating dream homes for movie stars and wealthy businessmen. Flat roofs matched the look of the period, blending with the environment and providing large open floor plans. Some homes feature a limited flat surface area with the rest of the roof having a gable or hip design. Additionally, some home additions may use a flat roof to provide extra second floor living space.

Keep in mind flat doesn’t really mean flat —there needs to be some incline to allow for water drainage.

Need help making a decision? Message Remodel Rx today!

If you think a custom entryway isn’t right for you, consider the many benefits. Our custom entryway doors offer:
- Top-of-the-line security, featuring mechanical interlocks and quality materials. You can choose between fiberglass and 20-gauge steel entry doors. Your custom-fit entryway will protect your home for years to come.
- Aesthetic appeal, warmly welcoming your guests with style and elegance. A custom entryway also improves the curb appeal of your home, offering a wide range of finishes, colors, and textures.
- Protection against harsh conditions. Our doors are proven weather-fighters and are Wind Load and Impact Shield certified. They also feature a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- Savings on energy costs. Our doors are among the most energy-efficient doors in the U.S. Each is foam-filled with thermally efficient material and contains the finest weather seals on the market. These products can help reduce your monthly energy bills and enhance comfort in your home.

Remodel Rx offers the best doors and installation processes for your custom entryway. When you choose Remodel Rx, you choose the most durable, energy-efficient, and secure door options available. Message us to get started on your custom entryway project.

Sometimes a roof can naturally reach the end of its useful life without experiencing a roof failure. It just looks old and worn, and you are doing preventive maintenance on your home.

If replacing an old roof is delayed, however, it could result in bigger problems down the road. So, watch for the warning signs to be sure to give yourself plenty of time to add the project to your to-do list.

1. Shingle edges are curled or shingle tabs are cupped.
2. Bald spots where granules are missing.
3. Cracked shingles.
4. Your roof is at least 20 years old; while many shingles today are produced for durability, many factors can accelerate the aging of shingles. For example, if your roof is not properly ventilated, it can negatively impact your shingles.
5. The roof just looks old and worn.
6. Neighbors are getting new roofs. Homes built around the same time period can be experiencing the same types of weather conditions can mean that your roof is nearing its useful life.
7. Moss can grow on roof surfaces that don’t get much sunlight, especially in cool, moist climates. Moss growth can be more than a cosmetic issue. Moss holds moisture against the roof surface and over time in freezing climates can cause damage to the granules on the top of the shingles. Moss can be brushed off but it won’t prevent it from growing again; take care not to damage the shingle surface. You may need to contact a professional contractor.

At Remodel Rx, we use Owen’s Corning roofing as our preferred manufacturer for our home improvement projects. As a leader in the building industry for over 75 years, Owen’s Corning is voted as the #1 roofing manufacturer, bringing total protection, and confidence to your roof. When you partner with us, you can trust that we are providing the highest quality products and installations in the industry. Message us today!