Raise the Roof: 9 Roof Types That’ll Make Your House Stand Out

Are you thinking about redoing your roof?

When it comes to making your home stand out on the block, there are many options that you can take. Your lawn, paint color choice, and even the type of windows you have all impact how people view your property.

But, many homeowners forget to consider their roof design. In fact, most people aren’t even aware of the fact that there is an array of roof types to choose from!

Looking for a new style for your home’s roof but not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look at 9 types of roofs that are sure to grab people’s attention.

1. Skillion

This type is often referred to as a “shed” roof because of its flat design.

But, what makes it stand out is the fact that it is attached to a taller wall on one side, giving it a drastically slanted appearance. Since it is comprised of only a single flat roof, it doesn’t take many materials to build.

But, the angle of the roof makes the underside susceptible to high winds. So, if you live in particularly stormy or windy areas, this roof type may not be the right choice for you.

2. Mansard

A mansard roof is also known as a French roof. It consists of four sloped sides that are covered by a flat surface. Its appearance can best be thought of a smaller living space placed on top of the home.

In fact, that’s exactly what this type of roof allows. Since the sides are so steep, it leaves plenty of room in the attic or top floor, allowing current homeowners to make an easy addition to their house.

3. Bonnet

If you took a mansard roof and squashed it, pushing the sides outward, you’d get a bonnet roof. Its half-flattened box appearance results in the sides hanging over the walls of the house.

The roof’s structure allows for high, vaulted ceilings in the home’s interior. It also provides a significant amount of cover and shade for the front porch and sides of the home.

The drastic slant of the roof is conducive for water runoff, which prevents heavy rains from damaging your home.

4. Saltbox

If you added a shorter slant to the other side of a skillion roof, you would more or less have a saltbox roof design.

Like the bonnet roof style, the slants are efficient at preventing water from building up on the roof’s surface. Thus, this is a good roof type to add to your home if you live in a location that experiences a lot of rain.

The shape of a saltbox roof also allows you to add an extra half-story to your home if you choose to install one.

5. Dome

As the name suggests, this roof is completely round and gives the home a strong dome-like appearance.

This is one of the most unique roof types you can choose and is sure to make your home stand out among the rest. Furthermore, it also provides significant durability in addition to its aesthetic.

A major downside to this roof type, however, is the difficulty in constructing it. But, you can use shingles, metal, or glass to build it, giving you a wider than normal choice of building materials.

6. Combination Roof

As with the dome roof, this name says it all. Rather than remaining confined to one particular design, this type of roof borrows from multiple styles to produce a unique, customized aesthetic for your home.

For example, you might have one roof type over the porch, another type over the main areas of the home, and then another over the highest floor.

When looking to add beauty to your home, a combination roof is one of the most efficient ways. But, it’s also one of the most expensive. Correctly joining multiple roof types together will require more labor and materials than normal.

If you’re stuck on which design is best for you, roof businesses like this company can help you get started.

7. Sawtooth

A sawtooth roof incorporates at least two slanted roofs on top of your home. To help you visualize it, imagine multiple skillion roofs instead of one large skillion roof.

As the name suggests, this gives the home’s upper section a very saw-like appearance.

The sawtooth design is perfect for homeowners who want to add a modern look to their home. But, out of all the roof types, it also requires one of the highest levels of maintenance.

Since the bottom of a slope can adjoin to the wall of another, water or snow can accumulate in this area, creating a high possibility for leaks.

In extreme conditions, you could even experience a cave-in, so sawtooth designs aren’t advisable unless you live in a region with a particularly dry climate.

8. Curved

With a curve less drastic than a dome roof and a smaller slant than a skillion roof, the curved roof design offers an appearance you can’t quite achieve with other styles.

The degree of curve is left up to the owner. You could opt for a slight, rounded appearance, or even go for a tall arch. The ceilings will also have a rounded design, allowing you to add some uniqueness to the interior of your home, as well.

9. Gable

You’ve almost certainly seen a gable roof design before, as it’s one of the most common in the United States. With a basic, triangular shape, this roof type is both practical and cheap to construct.

But, the taller design of the gable house makes it susceptible to wind damage. Proper braces on the underside of the roof can help mitigate this issue, but it’s not guaranteed during stronger storms.

So, Which of These Roof Types Is Best?

That depends on your region’s climate, as well as your own personal preference.

But, any of the roof types from the above list are sure to add aesthetic value to your home and make you an envy of the neighborhood.

Want to learn more tips to help you improve your home? Make sure to check out our blog!