Roof Configurations

[Alexandrin Chaples]

Everyroof is designed with a specific set of benefits in mind. These benefits are often related to the climate and environment in the area where they're built. While some roof types are much more common than others, every roof type has an ideal purpose and use, whether it's because of its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, or functionality.

As you continue scrolling down this page, you're going to see all the most common (and not-so-common) roof types throughout the world. You'll also see a helpful illustrated guide and real-life photographic examples of each one, so you can visualize how they look, understand what purpose they serve, and why these roof types are more common in certain parts of the world.

A-frame homes have been around for centuries, but they experienced a surge in popularity in the 1950s. As the design rose in popularity, as both a simple and cost-effective design, A-frames became available as sold by Macy's department stores in the 1960s, which lowered the cost even more (source).

Barrel vaulted roofs have a curved roof that resembles a barrel cut in half. Barrel roofs are designed with a similar purpose to a dome roof, with the primary advantage over dome roofs being, they are able to cover longer, rectangular buildings (source).

Barrel roofs are commonly used in the design of factories and other industrial buildings that cover large sections of land. They are often built with metal, but can also be built with traditional asphalt shingles.

A barrel vault is the simplest type of vaulted roof, with a curved, often semi-circular cross-section with a semi-cylindrical appearance that can span long distances. In cases where windows are installed along the roof of a building, barrel-vaulted ceilings can be beneficial at allowing the maximum amount of light into a building (source) and they also allow for additional height that would not otherwise be available in other roof types.

Because of its classic appearance, a bell roof is typically found on various vintage-looking structures, including Colonial-era churches and schools, as well as historical homes such as Tudor, Victorian, Queen Anne, and Edwardian homes.

Box gable roofs are distinguished by their triangular extensions at each face of the house, with the roof boxed at the end. This roofing type looks similar to a regular gable roof but with the triangular extensions closed off instead of being left open. Box gables have a more pronounced triangular shape than regular gable roofs.

As with other gable roofing types, box gable roofs can be covered with almost any roofing material, such as asphalt shingles, concrete tiles, cedar shakes, and metal panels. Additionally, they can be used on common architectural styles, particularly American Colonial, Cottage, and Craftsman homes.

A clerestory roof has two sloping sides joined by a short, vertical wall. The slope typically falls outward, which means the peak is somewhere near the middle of the roof. Its most prominent feature is a row of even, horizontal windows (or one long, continuous window) on the exposed face of the vertical wall.

This type of roof can either be symmetrical or asymmetrical, which can resemble a skillion roof, and can have a hipped or gable design. Often found on Craftsman, Ranch, and other similar-looking home styles, clerestory roofs allow an abundant amount of sunlight into a home through its windows. As a result, the room stays well-lit even during winter.

Combination roofs are, quite literally, a blend of various roofing styles based on the building's theme and environment. There is no limit on how many types this roof can incorporate or which ones can be combined. For instance, it could be multiple gable roofs together with a hip roof over the front porch or a hip roof paired with a clerestory roof for a distinct look.

Due to their unique architectural appeal, combination roofs are well-suited to modern and contemporary homes. Note, however, that the biggest risk of combining different roofing styles is creating more valleys, creating leak-prone areas. Therefore, this roof may use more material and labor than other roof types.

This roofing type is often found on top of towers in medieval castles, fortifications, and Victorian homes. Eastern European church architecture, particularly Armenian and Georgian, extensively uses conical roofs.

Cross-hipped roofs (or cross-hip) are some of the most popular variations of the standard hip roof design, which can be thought of as two hip roofs joined together at a right angle. These are most often laid over buildings that are in a T or L shape. Cross-hipped roofs come with two intersecting hip sections that run perpendicular to one another. The seam forms the cross-hipped roof, and the two sections meet at the end, forming a valley.

These roofs are great for structures with a more complex layout rather than a usual rectangular or square and can stand up to rain, snow, and high winds incredibly well. Like many hip roof types, cross-hipped roofs can accommodate a gutter system well. They used to be popular in the 19th century and were later incorporated into Ranch-style homes in America.

Often used as an alternative to a flat roofing system, a curved roof is usually attached to a taller exterior wall. It forms an arch that can go from a low slope to a more rounded peak, allowing for water runoff while adding value to architectural interest. A curved roof can be used for various home features such as an addition or wing, an arched entrance, or an entire building. Due to its natural bent shape, this roofing type often requires a flexible metal material.

A curved roof was first seen in the 1920s as covering for barn sheds, which allowed farmers to maximize hay storage in their barn lofts. As a result, a lot of curved roof barns are popular in the Midwest and were even adapted for use during World War II.

Dome roofs are polygonal and characterized by an inverted bowl shape. While relatively costlier than other alternatives, dome roofs are extremely durable and perfect to use for specific home features like gazebos or cupolas. When planned and designed properly, they can also be used as the main roof of a building.

This is a variation of the dome roof, but with a few differences. The domed vault has self-supporting arches, adding drama and visual interest to the structure. Domed vault roofs shed water easily, which is why they are great for areas with a lot of precipitation. Most architects, however, choose them primarily due to their aesthetic appeal.

A dormer roof is not an entirely separate type of roof, but it takes its name from a dormer or a windowed structure that projects vertically from a sloping roof. The roof that covers this window is called a dormer roof. Dormers are used to make attic spaces livable, which would otherwise be dark and cramped.

Dropped eaves roofs have two slopes that meet at the center, much like a saltbox roof. Their slanting side on the front has eaves that drop steeply, hence their name. This slope results in rooms having slanted ceilings, which increases its appeal among many homeowners. At the same time, it also helps direct water efficiently to the gutters and downspouts, preventing standing water that could damage the roof materials.

Since a standard hip roof makes the attic look and feel cramped, the gable roof makes up for it by offering a comparatively more spacious room inside. Meanwhile, the hip structure provides more durability and strength, resulting in better weather resistance for the entire roofing system. A similar structure can be found in East Asian hip-and-gable roofs, particularly in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist temples.

Flat roofs are mainly used on commercial buildings due to their simplicity and practicality, although many contemporary homes now use flat roof styles. Some of the materials commonly used for flat roofing systems are modified bitumen, TPO, EPDM rubber, and spray polyurethane foam, depending on how the roof is going to be used. For example, commercial establishments that use their roofs for restaurants or additional tenant space may use materials more suited for foot traffic, such as EPDM.

Gable roofs can also be combined with other roofing types, and come in other subtypes. However, one of the downsides of a gable roof is that it's prone to storm damage, especially if there is a significant overhang.

Some of the most common structures that use hexagonal roofs are pavilions, cabanas, and gazebos. While hexagonal roofs can be covered with any type of material, asphalt shingles and clay tiles are usually the go-to options.

Put simply, this is a type of roof that has both hips and valleys. A lot of residential properties in the U.S. are covered with a hip and valley roof mainly because of its aesthetic benefits. Compared with roofs that have a single shape to cover a house, this roofing type has numerous dips and peaks, adding a dramatic touch and accent to any structure.

Unlike regular gable roofs that do not have sloping structures on two sides of the building, hip roofs have slopes on all four sides. These sides are all equal in size and join together at the top, forming a ridge. This design makes them more structurally stable than gable roofs.

Due to the inward slope on all sides, hip roofs are often sturdier and more durable than their gable counterpart. They are great for areas prone to high winds and snow, as the slant of their slopes enables the snow to slide off easily. They can be covered with any type of roofing material, including shingles and tiles, and can be modified to include dormers or crow's nests.

Jerkinhead roofs are a combination of two of the most popular roofing types: gable and hip. However, unlike Dutch gable, which is also a fusion of both types, jerkinhead roofs are basically huge gables topped with a flattened, clipped edge, similar to a hip roof.

Unlike standard roofing types that only have gutters around the edges, M-shape roofs have a central gutter system that runs between the two pitches, preventing snow and water from building up during the winter. Commonly used in American homes, these roofs can be covered with most materials available on the market, including asphalt shingles, metal, and tiles.

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