12 Types of Roof Designs and Styles
Roofs come in all shapes and sizes. The amount of architectural variation within roof design is vast, with something to suit your fancy no matter what you like. Including every shape, size, and layout you can imagine, here are 10 of the most popular types of roof designs and styles.
1. Hip and Valley Roof
Much of what differentiates one roof from the next comes down to the slope, alignment, angle, and positioning of a roof. One roof that’s quite common is the hip and valley roof.
These roofs themselves can be arranged in a number of different ways, but the main thing that ties them all together is the fact that they feature 4 sloping surfaces with 2 of them being joined on a common ridge, and the other two existing on opposite ends of the central ridge.
2. Dormer
A dormer roof is one of the 3 types of roofs that are most popular. Its defining feature is the addition of windows that protrude vertically into the roof, stretching the roof over the top of them. These windows can be halfway on the side of the house and halfway up past the roof, or they can protrude entirely up out of the roof.
Converted lofts most often feature these types of roof design as a way of providing more light and space in an upper level area.
3. Combination Roof - Open Gable/Bonnet
Some types of roofs are combinations between multiple different roof styles. This roof, for instance, is a combo roof featuring design aspects from the bonnet roof and the open gable roof. A normal bonnet roof would have 4 sloping walls on the upper half, over a lower half with gentle slopes that ease outward over the sides of the home.
This roof features just 2 sloping sides on the upper half, with open ends on the other 2 sides, just like an open gable roof would have.
4. Cross Gabled Roof
Of all the types of roof designs & styles, cross gabled roofs are one of the most common.
A typical gabled roof has two sloped sides that meet at the top and form a triangular peak. Cross gabled roofs have multiple interactions of this which intersect at a perpendicular angle. Usually the inclusion of an attached garage or a complex layout is what makes for the perfect setup to use a cross gabled roof.
5. Combination Roof - Front Gable/Hexagonal Gazebo
Here we have another unique addition to our list of different roof types. Combination roofs are a dime a dozen, especially on upscale homes with more complex layouts. This castle-style home features a gazebo roof on the corner tower room combined with open gable roofing on the rest of the home.
This is a great combo for anyone who wants to mix style with functionality, and add some flair to an otherwise modest roof.
6. Combination Roof - Cross Hipped Roof/Gazebo Roof
Cross hipped roofs are some of the most common roof types and this home makes use of both cross hip and gazebo roofing. There is also a dormer addition on one end of the home where a window protrudes upwards out of the roof, and adjacent to that you have a circular room with sloped gazebo roofing.
This home exemplifies the fact that there really are an endless number of ways to play around with different roof designs.
7. Dome
This dome-style roof is definitely one of those types of roofs you don’t see everyday. In addition to looking completely unique from any other type of roofing, which many would see as a plus, domes are seriously durable. For starters they hold up well against high winds because of their aerodynamics. Wind just bounces off.
Earthquakes are also no factor for domed roofs, and concrete domes have even been known to withstand impacts from flying cars. So, if you live in tornado alley and you’re looking for a roof that’s tough as nails, a dome might be for you.
8. Combination Roof - Front Gable/Dormer/Gazebo
Here we have an extra tall front gable roof, complete with a vertical window dormer protrusion and a gazebo roof over an offset foyer room. The second story dormer window helps break up the looming front gable roof while the outstretched foyer room with gazebo roof adds a bit of a cozy feel to the place.
9. Dutch Gable Roof
This impressive roof design is what’s known as dutch gable. It features the typical sloped sides joined at a single ridge on top, but the other straight sides are set back aways from the rest of the roof beneath them.
At first glance the vertical window protrusions might look like dormer additions but they’re actually set back a bit from the roof below them, which is what makes it a dutch gable. This home is an example of how to do a dutch gable right, as the large windows and gables accentuate the dutch aspect of the design.
10. Combination Roof - M-Shaped Roof/Flat Roof/Skillet Roof/Saltbox Roof
This home is what every architectural design student dreams of when working towards their college degree. It’s an amalgamation of 4 different roof styles all blended into one.
The large square footage of the home allows for the inclusion of M-shaped gable roofing on either side of the home, which is used to flank a middle portion that appears to be a combination of a flat roof and a saltbox design, with half of the middle portion sloping downwards away from the flat part. We also have a skillet roof used on one of the window bays in the upper level rooms. All in all it makes for one glorious roofing design.
11. Mansard Roof with Flat Top
The mansard roof is another classic design that is one of the most popular roof styles you’ll see. Like the gable roof, it allows for excellent water drainage. This particular roof looks to have a flat top as opposed to a pointed one, which would make it a modified mansard.
12. Cross Gable Roof with Gazebo Tower
Finally, we have a classic cross-gabled roof with the addition of a majestic gazebo tower over the porch to finish off the list. There are almost some elements of the dutch design here as well, with the way the gables are set back from the porch and have small portions of roofing below them, which is certainly a unique twist.
Choose a Roof Style That Fits Your Home
From the classic gable and hip roofs to the unique and durable dome roof, each design has its own distinct features and benefits. Combination roofs provide even more versatility, blending different styles to create visually appealing and functional structures.
Whether you're looking for something traditional or modern, simple or elaborate, the variety of roof designs available ensures that there's a perfect fit for every home.
For expert guidance and high-quality materials to bring your roofing vision to life, explore CeDUR's roofing design expertise.