Maybe you are trying to decide what kind of roof style is best for your home, as you are in the process of redoing a roof or getting ready to start a new project, but you can’t decide which style is best for what you need. Popular roof types, like hip and gable, seem to be gaining momentum with homeowners, so which one would be the best choice?
As a homeowner, it is wise to consider which roof style, hip, or gable, is more in tune with your environmental and budgetary needs. Understanding the differences between hip roof vs gable roof and their good and bad points should be the first consideration before initiating any roofing project. What, then, are the contrasts between hip and gable roofs?
Gable Roofs
A gable roof is recognizable by its peak or pitch and its triangular appearance. Many homes today have gable roofs and they are popular for a number of reasons. For one thing, their shape allows them to cast off the water, snow, and other debris as well as bring added space and ventilation to an attic area or high ceiling. They are also less expensive and easier to construct because of their more basic design.
The problems that arise with gable roofs are susceptibility to heavy winds and disastrous storms. When a gable frame is poorly constructed, or lacks proper supports and bracing, high winds can cause roof collapse, deterioration, or peeling away of various materials. Also, excess overhang can cause the roof to lift up from underneath and pull the roof from its walls. With possible storm damage, it is advisable to inspect a gable roof after serious storms.
Gable Roof Choices
There are four variations of gable roofs that include:
- Front Gables are placed or located at entrances to homes.
- Crossed Gables are actually two parts of gable roof sections that are placed together to form a right angle. The two sections can be the same or they may vary in their lengths, heights, or pitches.
- Side Gables consist of equal sides that are pitched to form an angle. The gable sides meet in the middle of a house or building. The one triangular section can be open for an unclosed look or enclosed to form a boxed appearance.
- Dutch Gable Roofs are a combination of a gable and hip roof. The gable part of the roof is usually located towards the top of the roof and provides additional space as well as an enhanced roof appearance.
Hip Roofs
Hip roofs are comprised of four equal sides that meet at the top of the roof to establish a ridge. They create a sturdier roof with an inward direction and slope that provides for a more durable and stable roof.
A hip roof’s slant gives the roof enough of a tilt to deflect both strong winds and heavy snow. Snow and any remaining water are easily moved away from the roof. Also, a hip roof can bring additional areas for living when a dormer (window) is incorporated with a crow’s nest.
Though hip roofs are sturdier and can be more reliable than gable roofs, they are costly in comparison to a gable roof, as the design style is complex and utilizes considerably more construction materials, and if dormers are included within a hip roof’s design, there will be added seaming and other areas where water can accumulate and create possible leaks.
Hip Roof Choices
There are three types of hip roofs that include:
- A simple hip roof is considered the most common style of hip roof and is made up of polygons on two sides and triangles on the remaining sides. All of the sides are joined at the top to establish the ridge area.
- A cross hipped roof can be compared to a cross gable roof. They can be used on homes with different sections and the place where the two hip roofs meet is referred to as a valley. Water can collect in valley areas of hip roofs, so added construction moisture-resistant material use is necessary.
- A half hipped roof is a regular hip roof with sides that have been shortened in order to allow for the use of eaves.
Determining which type of roof is best for your home will depend on a number of factors that involve the structure of a new or existing home, the design style that suits your taste, seasonal weather conditions in an area, and budgetary constraints. A hip roof will be sturdier and costlier while a gable roof will offer less stability at a lower cost. If you are unsure as to which style is best for your home, complete the online contact form and an expert with gable and hip roofing will get back to you with the answers you need to make an informed decision.
