What's the difference between a hip roof vs. gable roof?
It's something you'll want to know
if you're looking to add to your home. Extensions, detached garages, and
gazebos can be some of the best home projects. But if you don't know the type
of roof you currently have, you'll never be able to get your project off the
ground!
To help you decide what type of roof
you're dealing with, we've created this short guide. We'll walk you through the
specifics of each roof style while also going over some of the pros and cons.
What's the difference between gable
and hip roofs? Read on to find out.
What
Is a Hip Roof?
What is a hip roof? To qualify as a
hip roof, the construction won't have vertical ends. These types of roofs will
be sloping on every side.
The slopes will all rise until they
meet at the roof’s peak. When you see a hip roof it’ll either be square or
rectangular.
Do the walls sit under the eaves on
each side of the roof? That's another sign that you're dealing with a hip roof.
One of the advantages of choosing a
hip roof is that the 4-way slope makes it incredibly stable. The roof's design
will also make it easy for snow and water to run off of it with ease.
Hip roofs also provide adequate
ventilation while making space for the attic. These roofs will cost a
lot more than the other roofing styles. However, the extra money you spend is
going towards a good cause.
The design of the roof gives it the
ability to use wind pressure to keep your home in place. If you live somewhere
with a lot of hurricanes, you'll need a hip design that uses an uplift.
The wind will experience a stalling
effect as it attempts to pass over your roof. The stalling effect will actually
create pressure on your home's structure, helping keep it in place.
Hip
Roof Guide
Did you know that there's more than
one type of hip roof? There's the cross-hip, half-hip, pyramid hip, Dutch gable
hip, and simple hip roof. Experienced roofing contractors will be able to help you create whatever hip style you
desire.
The simple hip roof is the most
common type of hip roof design. A ridge hangs over a portion of the roof
to create 2 polygons sides and 2 triangle sides of the roof.
The pyramid hip roof takes a
different approach by forming 4 triangle sides. All 4 sides are equal to allow
for a pyramid style.
The cross hip roof is going to add
in a bit more variation. Cross hips bring together 2 hip roof buildings.
The 2 sections will meet at the
appropriate ends, forming a seam. The seam is referred to as the valley of a
cross hip roof.
A half hip uses the standard simple
hip roof style, but with a twist. For half hips, 2 of the sides will be
shortened to create the perfect eaves.
Finally, a Dutch gable features a
hip and gable roof hybrid. You'll be able to enjoy the aesthetics of the gable
roof at the ridge while also creating more roof space. Dutch Gable hips are
rare to find and can be pretty expensive.
What
Is a Gable Roof?
Originating from the ancient Greeks,
gable roofs offer a timeless design. Sturdy and practical, gable roofs are easy
to build and incredibly common. You can find these roofs on ranch
homes, colonials, craftsman houses, and more!
The gable roof will connect at the
ridge's highest point in a slope down on either side. As you face forward the
2 slopes come together, allowing the facade of the roof to form
a triangle.
When comparing hip roof vs. gable
roof, notice the differences in the ridges. Hip roofs meet at a ridge but then
slant down on each side. Gable roofs will meet at the ridge but only slope down
on 2 sides.
Besides being aesthetically
pleasing, another advantage of a gable roof is that it's excellent at shedding
snow and water. As far as roofing materials go, you'll have a variety to choose
from. You can make a gable roof with standard asphalt shingles, metal shingles,
clay tiles, concrete tiles, or even cedar shake.
Gable
Roof Guide
There are a few different gable
roofs that you should know about. First, there's the side gable.
A side gable is a pitched roof.
There are 2 panels that are completely equal. These panels create a pitched
ridge in the middle of the roof.
The triangle side gable can be open
for the open gable roof. However, you can also enclose it for a boxed roof.
A cross gable will take a
different approach by having the 2 ridges be perpendicular to each other. There
will be 2 roof sections across a gable that form a right angle.
The lengths, heights, and pitches
can differ from one cross gable roof to another. Cross gable roof designs are
great for homes that have separate wings. You'll be able to accent different
home areas such as the porch or the garage.
There's also the front gable
approach. The front gable is placed right at the entrance of the house. You'll
typically see front Gable roofs and colonial-style homes.
However, colonial homes can also
look great with a hybrid roof that combines both hip and gable designs. It
depends on the overall look you want the home to have.
Understanding
the Differences Between a Hip Roof vs. Gable Roof
When it comes to hip roof vs. gable
roof, what style do you like the most? If you live somewhere with many storms,
you're probably going to need a hip design.
However, if you're looking for the
most stylish roof, a gable roof can be a perfect choice. Reach out to a roofing
company today to explore your different options.
As you embark on your journey towards finding the ideal roof, we're here to help you with all the best tips. Check out another one of our blog posts to learn more!
