Types of Roofs

Modern house architecture is highly diverse, with designs that delight the eye, and much of this credit goes to the variety of roof types. Even in a single cottage community, it's difficult to find roofs with similar designs—almost all are different.

Why Roofs Are Needed and What They Consist Of

A roof does more than protect home occupants from precipitation—it can significantly increase living space. This is achieved through the functional characteristics of different roof types. Before discussing the various roof types, let’s first explore the main structural elements and terminology.

Roof slope. This refers to the upper surface of the roof with side walls; its shape is defined in the architectural documentation.

Ridge. The horizontal lower edge of a roof slope.

Peak. The highest edge of the roof's ridge.

Ridge angle – the convex edge where two roof slopes meet.

Gutter – the concave edge that directs water into downspouts, located at the intersection of two slopes.

Fascia – the element that separates roof slopes and sits at the top vertical part of the building.

Main Roof Types

• Low-slope (flat) roofs. This type is considered the simplest and requires minimal investment. It features a flat surface, installed on walls of equal height, thus not creating any incline. However, flat roofs must have a minimum slope of no more than three degrees from the horizontal. This is their main drawback—precipitation tends to pool on the surface, potentially leading to leaks over time. Snow must be manually removed from such roofs. Due to this, flat roofs are not used in private home construction but are common in garages, utility buildings, and multi-story structures. A major advantage is the ability to install a pool, small garden, or even a golf practice area on such roofs—limited only by your imagination.
• Sloped roofs. These are used when building cottages and private homes. The slope angle is always greater than 10°. The incline prevents water accumulation, reducing snow load on the roof. These roofs may or may not include an attic space—attic roofs and flat-roof types. Attic roofs are usually separated from the main living area and can be either cold or insulated. In flat-roof types, load-bearing structures serve as the ceiling of the top floor. Ventilation types include ventilated, partially ventilated, and non-ventilated.

Roof Types by Geometric Shape

• Single-pitched roofs consist of one plane. The truss system rests on external walls of varying height, creating a slope. These are easy to build and cost-effective, commonly used for utility buildings. They handle rain well, and snow rarely accumulates. Since all precipitation drains in one direction, it simplifies the installation of drainage systems. The main drawback is the lack of attic space. Materials include asbestos cement sheets, any type of tile, metal profile, ondulin, and roofing felt.
• Double-pitched (gable) roofs. These are favored by architects when designing private homes. Both slopes rest on load-bearing walls of equal height. Builders call this type a gable roof. The area enclosed by the two slopes forms a triangle. This structure withstands strong winds, heavy rain, and snowfall. It is visually more appealing than single-pitched roofs. Almost any roofing material used in construction can be applied.
• Attic (mansard) roofs. This type is a variation of double-pitched roofs. The difference lies in the stepped (bent) slope configuration. Due to this, usable attic volume and space significantly increase, making the attic a cozy living area. The gables of a mansard roof form pentagons. Many choose this type for their cottages to maximize usable area. Despite structural complexities, construction is not difficult and is completed quickly. Good thermal insulation is essential for attic roofs, as it directly affects internal temperature.
• Pyramidal (hip) roofs. These roofs have four slopes—two are isosceles trapezoids, and the other two are triangles. The triangular slopes are located at the gable ends and are called hips. The shape helps rapidly shed any precipitation, as the slope angle is approximately 45°. A four-slope roof with a steep angle must be equipped with gutters. Installation is complex and best left to professionals. Roofing materials can be lightweight or heavy, though heavy materials require reinforcing the truss system.
• Half-hip roofs. Replacing the triangular slopes of a hip roof with truncated triangles results in a half-hip roof. These slopes are built at a shallower angle than trapezoidal ones. They are typically built in areas with frequent strong winds.
• Pyramidal (shaped) roofs. All slopes—four or more—have a triangular shape, with all triangle vertices meeting at a single top point. The shape resembles a pyramid and greatly enhances the home’s exterior appearance. Installation is complex due to the intricate truss system.
• Complex (multi-gabled) standard roofs. This type is used when constructing homes with complex polygonal shapes, including multiple extensions and side attics. These roofs feature many internal and external angles. The appearance is unique and striking. Installation must be performed by highly skilled professionals.
• Dome-shaped roofs. These are very popular in modern construction. In some homes, walls make up only 20% of the height, while 80% is the dome roof. Bent frame elements are used for installation, and flexible materials like bituminous shingles, roofing felt, and glass-based insulation are used for covering. This type often appears as a full or partial building covering.

Each of the above roof types is based on a wooden truss system. These systems vary significantly depending on the roof type specified in the architectural plans.

The system may be simple or complex. Truss connection elements are chosen based on the required strength of the roof. Designing truss systems for different roof types must include calculations for wind and snow loads.

We’ve discussed only a small portion of the roof types that exist—architects’ creativity has no limits. Sometimes they combine incompatible elements, adding features like turrets. Yes, this requires financial investment, but as the saying goes, beauty is worth the cost.