4 Common Types Of Roof Shapes To Know in California

Based on your location, personal preference and the climate, you will want to choose the most durable and reliable types of roof shapes for your home; here’s how.

Are you looking to replace the roof on your home? Before you get started, you’ll need to pick the shape of roof that you need for your home. There’s a lot of different styles, so what will work best with your home?

Here’s a guide to some of the most common roof shape styles in California, so you can decide which one is best for you.

Before You Decide on a Roof

Before you pick a new roof style for your home, you’ll need to think about which style will work best for you. For example, think about the current shape of your roof.

• What style do you have right now?
• Does it work with your home?

If you like it, then you might want to pick a similar style for your new roof.

Also, take a look at the roofs on other homes in your neighborhood. What shapes are they using? If your home is a similar style to theirs, you’ll want a similar roof to blend in.

When looking at the different styles of roof below, take a look at the advantages of each. There may be one that will give you benefits that you could use in your home. Take your time, and even ask for advice fro experts if you need some help. It’s better to be sure before you pick your roof, after all.

The Most Common Types of Roof Shapes

What types of roof shapes are being used in California? Check out the following guide to see which roofs are the most popular in California:

1. Gable Roofs

This is possibly the most common types of roof shapes you’ll see in this area. The style has been around for decades, and for good reason. A gable roof is also known as a pitched or peaked roof, and you’ll know it by its triangular shape.

There are different styles of gable roof that you can have put on your home.

• For example, a side gable is the classic gable roof. Two panels of equal size meet together in the middle, creating a ridge.
• There’s also the crossed gable, where two gables are set together at a right angle.
• Then there’s the Dutch gable roof, which is a mix of a gable and a hipped roof.

There are benefits to getting a gable roof. Firstly, thanks to their pitched shape, they allow rain and snow to slide off quite easily. It also allows for better ventilation, something that’s crucial for any roof. Also, you can get extra attic space in a gable roof. This allows you more storage space, or even space for an extra room if you’re looking to extend your home.

If you live in an area that’s prone to high winds though, you may not want to get a gable roof. This is because the winds can start peeling material away from your roof, causing damage.

2. Hip Roofs

The other very common roof style in California is the hip roof. These roofs have slopes on all four sides, allowing them to come together in a ridge at the top. Like gable roofs, they come in several different styles.

• The simple hip just has the four sloping sides.
• Across hip, much like the cross gable, is two different hipped ridges coming together at right angles.
• A half hip roof has two sides shortened, in order to create eaves.

Like the gable roof, a hip roof will allow water and snow to slide off it, without the risk of standing water. They’re also excellent for high wind areas as they stand lower than a gable roof.

If you’re considering a hip roof, you’ll have to remember that they’re actually somewhat more expensive than a gable roof, due to their construction. They use more materials and are a more complicated design, so you’ll pay more in materials and labor.

3. Flat Roofs

When you think of flat roofs, you’ll often think of commercial buildings. It’s true that they’re great for businesses, but they’re also perfect for a residential building, too.

• Flat roofs appear to be totally flat, but you’ll find that many have a slight incline in order to allow water to run off. Many homeowners like them as they give them extra outdoor space to work with. Some like to place AC units on them, as businesses do, to keep them out of sight.
• Others like to place solar panels on them, something that’s great if you’re looking to save energy, and is required in the new California solar power initiative. You can even create gardens or other outdoor areas on them, with the right care and attention.

If you do choose to have a flat roof, you’ll need to remember that while they’re cheaper upfront to install, they will cost more over time in maintenance costs. You’ll also need to live in an area that doesn’t see much rain or snowfall, in order to prevent leaks in your roof.

4. Mansard Roofs

If you’re looking for a roof with a little more aesthetic appeal, then a Mansard roof will be just the thing. This style of roof comprises four sloped sides, meeting at the top in a low ridge.

• The sides can be curved or straight depending on your needs, so you can design a roof that works best with your tastes.
• The sides are often quite steep too, creating a more dramatic look.

These roofs, also known as French roofs, are perfect if you’re looking to add extra space to your home. The steep pitch of the roof means you can easily add in an extra room in your attic, if you’d like to. Windows are easily added to the roof, making this more feasible.

If you want to go this route though, you’ll have to be ready to spend more on it. A Mansard roof uses more materials thanks to their more elaborate design. If you’re looking to put a room in that space too, you’re going to be paying more for that too. Many homeowners do feel this is worth the cost though.

Common Roofing Questions

Conclusion

These are just a small selection of the different types of roof shapes that you can have on your home. Pick the one that’s right for you and get started.

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