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When it comes to building a new property or remodeling a home, one aspect that involves careful planning is your roof. After all, the roof is the shield of your home, but it also contributes to its appearance. In fact, the style of your roof can significantly impact the curb appeal of your home and its overall value. In 2024, there are various roof styles to choose from, each offering unique benefits and drawbacks. This blog post will explore 15 different roof styles that are popular this year, helping homeowners and future homebuyers make informed decisions for their properties.
#1 Gable Roofs
The gable roof is one of the most common and easily recognizable roofing styles. It features two sloping sides that come together at a ridge, forming a triangular shape. This style of roof closely resembles the letter ‘A’ and is also known as an ‘A-shaped roof’. This simple design is easy to construct and provides excellent drainage, which reduces the risk of leaks. Gable roofs also offer ample attic space and ventilation, making them practical for various climates. However, in areas prone to high-winds, they can be problematic if they’re not properly constructed, as the large, flat surfaces can catch the wind, potentially causing damage.
#2 Cross Gable Roof
If the simple gable roof is not what you are looking for and you want a slightly more intricate design, then you can consider this roof style.
A cross gable roof features two or more gable roof sections that intersect, typically at right angles. This design creates a more complex and visually interesting roofing structure with additional peaks and valleys. Cross-gable roofs are versatile and can accommodate different architectural styles and home layouts, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to add character to their homes.
#3 Hip Roofs
Hip roofs are the most common type of roof after gable-style roofs. While a gable has two sloping sides, hip roofs are a bit different.
These roofs have slopes on all four sides, which converge at a ridge on the top. This design is known for its stability and resistance to strong winds, making it suitable for regions prone to hurricanes and heavy storms. The hip roof also provides additional living or storage space under the roof, enhancing the functionality of the attic. Despite its benefits, the hip roof is more complex and expensive to build due to its design. The increased complexity requires more materials and labor, which can drive up construction costs.
#4 Dutch Hip
The Dutch hip roof is a hybrid design that combines elements of both the gable and hip roofs. This different roof style features four sloping sides, similar to a hip roof, but with small gable sections at the ends. The gable sections allow for windows, which can add natural light and ventilation to the attic space. Therefore, the Dutch hip roof provides the stability and wind resistance of a hip roof, while also offering the aesthetic appeal and additional space of a gable roof. This design is particularly beneficial in areas with high winds or heavy snowfall, as it provides excellent drainage and durability.
#5 Mansard Roofs
This is a roof style that is associated with buildings that are old or have historical significance. Mansard roofs are a type of hip roof, as it’s a roof with four sides. However, all these sides are double-sloped, with the upper slope being shallow, sometimes almost flat, while the lower slope is much steeper. Mansard roofs have a practical design that maximizes the amount of usable space in the attic. It also adds a unique, elegant look to the home.
#6 Jerkinhead Roof
A jerkinhead roof, also known as a clipped gable or English hip roof, combines elements of gable and hip roofs. The ends of the gable roof are clipped, creating a hybrid design that is more resistant to wind damage than what you can expect from a traditional gable roof.
Though this roof style is not the most visually appealing, it provides good stability and durability. The other downside is that the roof’s complex design makes it a bit difficult to build, and it requires skilled labor. This requires you to hire a professional roofing company that has experience in jerkinhead roof installation.
#7 Butterfly Roof
Let’s talk about the most distinct roof style you will ever see. The butterfly roof is an inverted version of a traditional roof, with two slopes that dip downwards towards the center, resembling the wings of a butterfly. This type of roof will make your home stand out and also allow for large windows and plenty of natural light, creating a bright and airy interior space.
However, with this attractive design, comes some challenges. Butterfly roofs are prone to leaks and snow buildup, so you will need an excellent drainage and waterproofing system in place.
#8 Saltbox Roof
The saltbox roof has an asymmetrical design with one long, pitched side and one shorter side, creating a unique, elongated look. Saltbox roofs were very common in the Southeastern area of the country, and thanks to their ability to shed rainwater and snow, this is perfect for regions such as Wisconsin too. You will also need skilled craftsmen for this roof since its asymmetrical design can be challenging to construct.
#9 Gambrel Roof
Similar to the Mansard roof, the Gambrel roof has two slopes on each side but is typically used on barns and sheds. The lower slope is much steeper than the upper one, which provides ample attic or storage space. This popular barn roof style is easier to construct than a Mansard roof and can also be seen on Colonial-style homes.
#10 Skillion Roof (Shed Roof)
Also known as a shed roof, a skillion roof is a single sloping surface, often used for home extensions, sheds, and porches. This simple design is easy and cost-effective to build, making it an attractive option for modern, minimalist home designs. Skillion roofs also allow for the easy installation of skylights and solar panels, enhancing natural light and energy efficiency. However, they offer limited attic space and ventilation compared to other roof styles.
#11 Bonnet Roof
A bonnet roof features a double slope on all four sides, similar to a hip roof but with the lower slope at a gentler angle. This design provides extra shade and protection for outdoor spaces, making it ideal for homes in hot climates. The bonnet roof also adds an attractive, traditional look to the home, enhancing its curb appeal.
Keep in mind that a bonnet roof may be more expensive to build compared to simpler roof styles such as gable roofs. This is because they require more structural support in the form of rafters and trusses.
#12 Curved Roof
A curved roof features a smooth, curved design, which can be either concave or convex. This unique, modern appearance provides excellent wind resistance and a distinctive look that stands out. Curved roofs are also beneficial for reducing wind turbulence and improving aerodynamics, making them ideal for areas with strong winds. However, the curved design is more challenging and expensive to construct, requiring specialized materials and skilled labor. Despite the higher costs, many homeowners are drawn to the innovative and stylish appearance of curved roofs.
#13 Sawtooth Roof
A sawtooth roof is a distinctive architectural feature characterized by a series of parallel ridges and valleys that create a zigzag or serrated profile when viewed from the side.
Sawtooth roofs are commonly found in industrial buildings, factories, and warehouses, but they're also used in some modern residential designs.
Just like a butterfly roof, this roof type is also vulnerable to leaks and heavy snow loads. The multiple ridges and valleys create more areas for leaks to occur and require more frequent maintenance. Be sure to check your local building codes before installing this type of roof as it’s not a common roof design.
Related Post: Pennsylvania Re-Roofing Code R908 Simplified for Homeowners
#14 Dormer Roof
A dormer roof is not a standalone roof style but rather, an addition to an existing roof that creates a windowed structure projecting vertically from the main roof. Dormers are typically used to add light, ventilation, and space to attic or upper floor areas. They come in various shapes, including gable, hipped, shed, and eyebrow dormers, each bringing a unique look and functional advantages.
#15 Flat Roofs
Let’s end our exhaustive list with the simplest of the roof styles: a flat roof. A flat roof is almost completely flat, with a slight pitch (about ¼ inch) to allow for water drainage. This design is easy and inexpensive to build, making it a popular choice for modern and commercial buildings. However, you will need to be extra attentive when it comes to maintaining your flat roof as these styles are vulnerable to ponding water and other problems.
Also Read: Top 10 Flat Roofing Contractors In Pittsburgh, PA
Get Your Project Done With The Best Roof Installation Company In Pittsburgh
We hope that this list has helped you learn more about some different roof styles that are out there, ones that not only look visually appealing but offer functional benefits, too. As you can see, the majority of these roof types have a complex design and require a high level of expertise which you will not get from an average contractor. Luckily, our team at McClellands Contracting and Roofing is here to help you. We are a premier roofing company in Pittsburgh with hundreds of satisfied customers and experience installing quality new roof installations. Contact us today at (412) 353-5660 to learn more.
