Introduction
There are many ways to design a roof, and no one design is perfect for all situations. Today, we are going to look at a particular design known as the “hip roof.” No, it’s not made for hipsters and it has nothing to do with hipbones either. Hip roofs are simple designs in which four sides slope downward from a central ridge or point. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this roof type so that you can determine if it is right for you.
What Is A Hip Roof?
To really understand what a hip roof is, you need to look at some pictures. This site has a nice gallery of images, showing some good examples of hip roofs. As you can see, the main difference between a hip roof and the more common gable roofs is obvious. Hip roofs are sloped equally on all sides, making the whole thing look somewhat like a pyramid. In fact, it would not be wrong to call these “pyramidal roofs,” even if they don’t always come to a point at the top.
Advantages Of A Hip Roof
This type of roof offers several distinct advantages. First of all, hip roofs tend to be more resistant to high winds and water damage. A traditional gable roof only sheds water on two sides, while a hip roof uses all four. This allows for easier and more efficient drainage, putting less strain on your gutters and making them less likely to clog. It also means that, even in a strong downpour, your roof will shed its water more evenly, reducing the risk of flooding the nearby area.
As for wind resistance, these types of roofs create a curious “stalling effect” when the wind passes over them. As a result, the air pressure is mostly directed downward, which is a good thing. Instead of ripping pieces from your roof, strong winds can actually help to hold them in place. You can sometimes see this effect when looking at footage of areas that have been hit by hurricanes. You will see that hip roofs with steep slopes are the most likely to survive.
Design Options
Hip roofs can also provide a few extra design options for your home. Some people like the idea of a “crow’s nest” at the top of their house, and hip roofs will easily facilitate one of those. You probably don’t need to keep a lookout for enemies or bandits, but a crow’s nest can still be a really nice place to hang out.
It is also easy to put dormers on a hip roof, expanding your window space and providing light and ventilation to the attic. And, speaking of which, a hip roof tends to create a nice spacious attic. If you want to put solar panels on your roof, a hip roof will provide more usable surface area than a gable roof.
Visual Appeal
A lot of people simply prefer the look of a hip roof. It stands out a little bit from traditional roofs and provides an excellent canvas for further customization. Tiles and shakes of all sorts can be affixed to a hip roof, and this design will display their beauty more effectively than most others.
Disadvantages Of A Hip Roof
The first and largest disadvantage is the cost of a hip roof. They simply cost more to install in terms of both parts and labor. A diagonal structure is inherently harder to build than one with straight lines and corners. Although the design itself is simple, the construction methods are not. As such, you will be looking at more money for labor costs, simply because it will take longer to build.
Also, because these roofs have a larger amount of surface area, more tiles and other materials will be required. Over time, these roofs also have a tendency to leak at the seams (i.e., the places where the sloped panels meet). These seams are a major reason for the higher cost of a hip roof, as they must be installed properly. A single bad seam can ruin the entire roof.
Who Should Get A Hip Roof?
Needless to say, this isn’t necessarily the right option for everyone. For starters, those who live in areas that are prone to hurricanes or other strong storms should definitely consider this roof type. The level of wind resistance that it provides will give you the best possible chance of avoiding frequent roof damage. Its increased ability to shed water will also be handy.
However, if you live in an area that doesn’t normally have those problems, you might want to consider something cheaper. There is no sense in spending that extra money if you don’t need those particular benefits.
Conclusion
Before deciding on a particular roof design, it’s always a good idea to talk with someone who has expert knowledge on the subject. Although you have many options in that department, we would recommend that you call the qualified experts at RGB Construction. We are one of the best Delaware roofing companies, as well as the best roofers in NJ. As soon as you try our service, you will understand why we make that claim. If you would like to know more or receive a free estimate, you can contact RGB Construction at 856-264-9093.
