Common Roof Types

    Roof from above Most homeowners can trust their roofing contractor with these estimations. However, it’s crucial to note that all roofing coverings, including asphalt roofing shingles, must meet specified minimum slope standards set forth by the International Residential Code.

    Your roofing contractor can assist you in making the best decision for your slope. Although some roofing types are created with a specific slope in mind, this isn’t a hard and fast rule.

    For more information on our roofing or siding services, you can contact our contractor at Saint Charles, Missouri, through the given phone number. Our contractor services include siding, windows, gutters, and storm damage repairs.

    Explore the Types of Roofs:


    open gable
    Consider your very first crayon drawing of a house. You probably drew an old roof. The foundation rests atop the house, with the two sides rising to meet the ridge. On the gable roof, slopes can range from steep chalet-style structures to gently sloping rooftops.

    The gable is a typical roof form offered by roofing contractors in St Charles that complements a wide range of home and business designs. You may dress it up with front gables over your entryways or a crossing gable design, which comprises two ridges situated at right angles.


    clipped gable
    The Dutch gable roof is another hybrid roof in St Charles that combines gable and hip roofing architectural components. On top of a regular hip roof, a small gable roof, or “gablet,” is placed. The gable portion of the roof gives homeowners more attic space and can even be installed with windows to let in more light.


    gambrel
    Imagine a traditional red barn with white trim, and you’ve got a gambrel roof. It has two slopes on either side, one steep and one gentle. The upper floor can be used as an attic room or a loft, depending on the design. Adding windows to the sides of the gambrel roof can boost the utilization of the upper floor by allowing more natural light in.

    Because gambrel roofs include steep areas that are highly visible, homeowners should carefully evaluate the aesthetic of their roofing shingles.


    slant roof
    A conventional hip roof comprises four slopes of equal length that meet at the ridge to make a simple ridge. However, there are several variations, such as the half-hip, which has two shorter sides with eaves.

    If your home or business has a hip roof, you may have noticed that most of the roof is visible when you look at it. Because a hip roof is so prominent, the type and color of roofing shingles you choose for it will significantly impact the overall appearance of your home or business.


    mansard
    The Louvre Museum in Paris is a great example of the mansard roof, a traditional French architectural shape. The lower slopes of this four-sided design with double slopes are pretty steep and can be flat or curved.

    Despite its origins in France, the mansard roof quickly gained popularity in the United States. With an abundance of interior attic space and various windows, the style allows homeowners to make the most of the upper story, and it looks adorable when dormers are added.


    shed
    A shed roof is likely to appeal to those who prefer modern home and business ideas. Half of a classic top is resembled by this “lean-to” form. The shed roof has long been used for porches and expansions, but it now covers the entire house in ultra-modern homes or businesses. Although steeper slopes will speed up water drainage, most shed roofs have lower slopes, with the most prevalent 4 in 12 and below.

    A home or business with a shed roof is often a one-of-a-kind building that reflects the style and personality of its owners. Shed roofs offer various window options, ranging from modest rows of glass panes right beneath the roof to enormous picture windows that span the front of the house or business.


    flat roof
    Flat Roof (Low Slope Roof) When most people think of flat roofs, they usually think of strip malls and industrial buildings. However, many mid-century modern architects experimented with flat rooflines between 1945 and 1970, building dream homes for movie stars and affluent business people. Flat roofs suited the period’s style, blending perfectly with the surroundings and allowing for great open floor designs. Some houses have a small flat roof with a gable or hip style for the rest of the roof. A flat roof may also be used to give extra second-floor living space in some home and business expansions. Remember that “flat” doesn’t necessarily mean “no slope”; water drainage requires some incline.