Types of Roof Shapes

Traditional Gable

• Gabled roofs have two sloped sides that meet along a ridge. The end walls are triangular and create a gable at the top, which reaches up to form a peak or triangle at the top. Gables can be located on the side, the front or crossed, which means a gable is perpendicular to another gable, such as with a home addition. Gables range in how much of a slant or pitch they have, so professional roofers need to avoid being inconsistent from one roof to another.

Gambrel

• A gambrel roof is another type of gabled roof. Each sloped section is separated into two different parts, with the one closer to the ridge flat, and the one along the edge with a steep drop. This design maximizes all the available space under the roof. Gambrel roofs are frequently seen on barns, since they store items such as hay in the upper portions. The slopes are lower than on a gabled roof.

Shed

• A shed roof only slants in one direction and is very basic. It is classified as a type of gable roof and is used on additions, sections of the house with raised roofs or porches.

Curved

• Curved roofs are a bit more difficult to build because they require plenty of time and skill to construct. In ancient times, using curved roofing materials was probably considered easier than using the very structured straight-line designs used in modern construction.

Octagonal

• An octagonal roof has eight sides and is the simplest way to get a circular roof, due to the even distribution of the angles required in roofing. Octagonal roofs are frequently used for aesthetic appeal in gazebos. Rafters commonly meet at the center for increased stability.

Hip Roofs

• A hip roof is a roof with a gentle slope on all four sides. It doesn't have any gables and, when in the shape of a square, the roof looks similar to a pyramid. Since these roofs are consistent from one side to another, it makes attaching gutters easy. Hip roofs are most frequently seen on cottages and bungalows.