Complex – Multiple Roof Styles

The home was roofed with a complex roof style which means the roof design incorporated two or more traditional roofing styles which are listed and described below...

Flat Roof or Low Slope Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a flat roof. While this roofing style’s name “flat roof” may suggest otherwise, flat roofs are not entirely flat but rather are more accurately describes as a “low slope roof”. This minimal roof slope ensures that rainwater is able to properly drain off the roof surface. The pitch of the roof will dictate the type of roofing materials used or allowable. Common flat roof membrane materials include modified bitumen, asphalt roll roofing, thermoplastic -TPO, or synthetic rubber systems – EPDM.

Gable Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a gable roof. A gable roof is one of the most traditional styles of roof, which is identified by the triangular ‘A’ shape. The sloping sides converge at a ridge, while at the far end creating walls with a triangular extension, which is known as the gable. There are also occasions where residential homes integrate more than two gables to create additional depth and structural support. Other variants of gable roofs include the gambrel, curved gable and octagon.

A-Frame Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as an A-frame roof. As its name indicates, an A-frame roof forms the pointed shape of a letter ‘A’, featuring symmetrical, angled sides. The distinct design is often seen on traditional-style buildings such as cottages and rustic cabins. Property owners living in colder locations benefit from the natural drainage offered by the roof shape, which allows heavy snow to slide off, lowering the chances of ice/snow related problems such as ice-dams.

Hip Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a hip roof. A hip roof is characterized by its four sloping faces that connect to each side of the building. Rectangular designs are the most common and typically feature four faces of the same pitch to form a uniquely symmetrical roof. Hip roofs have proven to be a robust and durable choice for buildings situated in windy locations.

Mansard Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a mansard roof. Mansard roofs are a variant of hip roofs, with each sloping section divided in two. The section closest to the walls rise steeply in order to maximize space under the roof, with a slighter pitch continuing on towards the center. From an external point of view this gives the impression of a flat roof being present on the top of the property as only the steep section is visible. It is a style popular in traditional properties in France and Germany and was initially introduced by French designer Francois Mansart during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Gambrel Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a gambrel roof. Gambrel roofs feature a steep – almost vertical – lower slope, while the upper slope has a shallower pitch. The roof typically overhangs the building façade and uses vertical gable ends. They are usually seen on buildings such as farmhouses, barns and log cabins, along with period properties dating back to Georgian and Dutch Colonial eras.

Bonnet Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a bonnet roof. A bonnet roof features a double slope on all of its four sides. For this reason, many people see it as a modified gable or hip roof. It is also referred to as a kicked eave roof due to the shallow slope hanging over the edge of the property that doubles up as a porch or patio cover. The upper section is designed to feature a more prominently angled, steeper pitch. The bonnet is closely associated with French Vernacular architecture found in southern regions such as Mississippi and Louisiana, while also still a popular choice for cottages and ranch houses.

Monitor Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a monitor roof. A monitor roof creates a ‘second’ roof on a raised section of the building and runs parallel to the primary roof. The monitor element of the design refers to the tallest part of the structure that creates an ‘atrium’ effect. Louvers or clerestory windows and vents that accommodate additional light and ventilation usually feature in a monitor roof along the length of the raised central aisle. This is a style typically associated with farmhouses and industrial buildings, although it can also be located in rural areas where it is sometimes used for domestic dwellings.

V-Roof or Butterfly Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a butterfly or V-shaped roof. It’s easy to see why this type of roof is known as a butterfly or V-shaped roof, the design clearly dictating its name. Rather than the slopes pointing upwards they are inverted to create a ‘V’ in the middle of the roof section. Generally considered a modern style, butterfly roofs work well with eco-friendly buildings, with the absence of gutter systems making it easy to install and conceal solar paneling. French architect Le Corbusier introduced the style in 1930s Chile, before it arrived in the United States during the mid-1940s.

Arched Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as an arched roof. The wide, curved shape of an arched roof gives this design its own unique profile. They can either be self-supporting or load bearing, depending on the width and the reinforcements used during the construction of the building. Barrel vault roofs and vaulted roofs are two of the most common types of arched designs, while also referred to by some as a rainbow or Gothic arch roof. You will see arched roofs on barns, stables, warehouses and historical buildings, while the minimalist appeal also works well with modern, eco-friendly properties looking to maximize the distribution of natural daylight.

Domed Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a domed roof. The semi-circle shape of a domed roof maintains the same structure all the way round, with its apex sometimes featuring a circular opening. This is a roof type with a long history dating back to the Roman and Persian periods, while also being an integral part of many indigenous building traditions. A number of different domed roof styles have been used through the ages, including the onion dome, compound dome, cloister vault and countless others. Not only does this type of roof create a striking appearance but it is also highly wind resistant and when constructed with the right material, reliably energy efficient.

Saltbox Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a saltbox roof. Gables are located at each end of a saltbox roof, but they have an asymmetrical shape featuring one side longer than the other. They are commonly found on older colonial-style properties that once housed early settlers in New England, as well as the Midwestern regions. During this period, property owners with growing families in need of additional space adapted existing gable roofs into a saltbox to create the room they needed, while remaining economical with their use of materials. It is also the case that some houses with saltbox roofs were constructed with the lean-to roof already in place.

Shed Roof

The home was roofed with a style of roof that is commonly known as or referred to as a shed roof. A shed roof has a distinct design with a noticeable slope consisting of a single flat area surface. They are also sometimes referred to as lean-to roofs, mono-pitched roofs and pent roofs. The roof is pitched at a perpendicular angle and is not attached to any other roof surface, which was a popular roof technique used during the Victorian period.