Your roof is the first line of defense for your home, and it is important to know your roof’s capability. Roofs can be simple or much more complex, while different roof styles have different capabilities. Hip and gable roofs are two of the most common and most effective roof styles, each with their own benefits. Here at Billings Roofing & Solar, we want to help you stay informed on your roofing needs so that you know what you need to stay safe from the weather and elements
What Is A Hip Roof?
A hip roof is designed with a slope on all four sides. All of the sides are equal in length and meet at the top, forming a ridge. The angle that is created where two sides meet is called the “hip”. Hip roofs are one of the more complex roofing designs.
A hip roof can be covered with almost any roofing material, like asphalt shingles, metal, or slate tiles.
Types Of Hip Roofs
Hip roofs can be found in several different variations.
Pavilion Roof– The pavilion design is on a square structure where each side joins to form a single peak.
Mansard Roof- A type of hip roof where two sides have different sloping angles with one much steeper than the other.
Tented Roof– This design is multi-sided with steep slopes that rise to a peak.
Dutch Gable Roof– This variation is a hip roof with a small gable section on the upper portion.
Half-Hip Roof– This design features two sides shortened to create eaves.
What Is A Gable Roof?
A gable roof is a roof with two intersecting sloping sides and a gable between them. A gable is a part of a wall that sits between two intersecting roof pitches. A gable roof is considered to be a much simpler design for a roof.
Gable roofs can be constructed using a variety of materials, like asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, terra cotta tiles, or even metal, clay, or concrete tiles.
Keep in mind that roofs can be very basic while others are more complex. Some roofs will be only a hip or gable roof, while others may incorporate elements of both.
Types Of Gable Roofs
Gable roofs, similar to hip roofs, also have several variations.
Open Gable Roof– An open gable roof is the standard design where the gable, or wall, is open facing and not enclosed.
Box Gable Roof– This variation features triangular extensions at the end of the roof that form a boxed design at the end of each side, out in front of the gable.
Gambrel Roof– A gambrel roof is symmetrical like a standard gable, however it features two different slope angles on each side.
Crossed Gable Roof– A crossed gable roof is two gable sections put together at a right angle, with the ridges being perpendicular to each other.
Flying Gable Roof- This design has the ridge overhang extend out farther than the overhang of the eave, which forms a point at the end of the ridge.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Hip Roof
The biggest advantage of a hip roof is that it is one of the sturdiest designs for a roof. In the design, a hip roof is self-bracing and does not need as much diagonal bracing. The bracing of a hip roof also makes the design better for high wind or heavy snow areas. Hip roofs are also considered a more appealing design because of their complexity.
On the downside, hip roofs are more expensive to build than other designs, including gable roofs. The design of a hip roof utilizes a lot more building materials in the process. Lastly, because of the sloping on each side, the hip roof design allows for less attic space.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Gable Roof
A gable roof has several advantages. This design allows for more space for an attic, which provides more room for additional insulation allows more ventilation. The increased slope of a gable roof is most beneficial for regions that experience heavy rain or snowfall, allowing the rain or snow to slide down the roof.
However, a disadvantage of the gable roof is that in other extreme weather events, like high winds or hurricanes, gable roofs can be more likely to collapse or have materials begin to detach. With proper braces though, this problem can be less likely. It is important, however, to have a gable roof inspected after large storms or high wind events. Visually, the gable roof is also considered as less exciting because of its simplistic design.
For more information regarding different roof styles and materials, contact us at Billings Roofing & Solar here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our team is GAF Master Elite Certified, meaning we have all of the skills and experience to make sure that your roofing job gets done right.
Our services include:
- Roof replacements
- Storm Work
- Leak Repair
- General Repairs
- and more!
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your roof, we perform free inspections to provide you the peace of mind that you deserve. Billings Roofing & Solar is trusted by customers from all over Tulsa to provide quality service. We look forward to assisting you with all your roofing needs!
