If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to the type of roof on your home until you need to have it repaired or replaced. However, the truth is, the type of roof you have not only has an effect on the look/feel of your house- but it can also have an effect on your property value.
Additionally, your roof can also increase your home’s energy efficiency, make it more weatherproof, and provide additional storage or even extra living space in the form of an attic.
At A&J Reliable, we know everything there is to know about roofs. If you need to repair or replace your roof, reach out to our licensed and insured roofer team today.
7 Common Roof Types & Benefits of Each
There are lots of different types of roofs, so we’re really just barely scratching the surface- but here, you’ll find information on 7 common roof types and the benefits of each one for your home.
Saltbox Roof
When it comes to roofs, this is the most interesting one. It’s an asymmetrical, long-pitched roof with one short side and one long side. Think of a house with one story on one side and two stories on the other.
This type of roof is ideal if you want a high ceiling in your living room and put your kids’ room above your bedroom.
The slope of this roof provides weather resistance because water can’t collect and damage the roof. It’s reasonably easy to construct when compared to other options.
Pyramid Roof
Just as the name suggests, this roof looks like a pyramid. When constructed well, it can make your home look extravagant. Typically, this roof type is found on sheds and small buildings. There are 4 equal slopes on each side, and it works well on square-shaped structures.
Due to the angle of the slope, a pyramid roof offers greater wind resistance. Additionally, it offers natural insulation, as the angle prevents sunlight from directly entering the house and raising the temperature.
Mansard Roof
This type of roof has 2 slopes: one is nearly vertical, while the other is flat (and can’t be seen from the ground. It was developed in France during the Renaissance and is still being used today.
With this roof, you have space that can be used as an attic, and the sturdy design allows easy installation of additions in the future. Due to the materials used to construct it, the house is protected from weather conditions, and the structural design does not encourage natural lighting.
Bonnet Roof
This is another roof type with two differently angled slopes while also being similar to a pyramid roof. When compared to other roof types, this one offers the most distinctive look.
It’s most often built to cover verandas or porches and protect the house from excess heat and unwanted elements such as dust. However, dust does tend to accumulate on the joints, which means it must be cleaned regularly.
Flat Roof
As the name indicates, this roof type has a flat design and is the most common type of roof. This type of roof can easily be identified on the ground and is ideal for homes where people enjoy spending time on the roof.
The advantage of this roof type is that you can walk on it. Additionally, it’s inexpensive to construct and provides you with space to create a rooftop garden or place your AC units. Also, since you have flat ceilings, you can install whatever you want inside your home.
The only disadvantage is that it’s not effective for preventing the accumulation of debris or water- which means the maintenance requirements are higher. Learn how to repair a flat roof here.
Skillion Roof
This roof is very similar to a half-triangle with a single sloping design. Most of the time, this roof type is only used on a portion of the house. Architects are also trying to use this for multi-level homes, creating unique designs/shapes. These roofs are much less expensive than multi-sloping roofs, and the installation process is a lot easier.
The angle prevents the accumulation of water and debris, which means you don’t have to keep it clean manually. It provides the best drainage out of all 7 roof types on this list. On the other hand, the aesthetic is not as appealing.
Arched Roof
This roof type gives the building a beautiful aesthetic and is typically used on a small portion of the house to make it more appealing/unique. As the name indicates, it has an arched design.
In addition to being appealing to look at, it has eye-catching features and structural strength. The benefits are similar to that of the skillion roof. However, it’s expensive to construct/install this roof type.
Conclusion
Most people don’t think very long and hard on the roof type they put on their home. They assume that a roof is a roof. However, the truth is, there are many different types of roofs to choose from- each one has its advantages and disadvantages. If you want to know more about roof types or need help with the repair/replacement of your roof, contact the experts at A&J Reliable.
