If you are planning on renovating your roof or having a new one installed, knowing the different types of roofs there are may help make your decision easier. Different roof types require different materials and have different benefits as well as drawbacks.

Based on the type of your home, the roof may take up approximately 40% of your exterior. They have a huge role to play in protecting your home, but also its curb appeal. Therefore, taking your time to pick out the roof color and roof materials is key to home exterior design.

To understand how different roof types protect and affect the design of your home and help you narrow down your search for the perfect roof, we spoke to the experts at 619 Roofing. So with no further ado, here are the most popular roof styles and types.

Gable Roof

This is the standard roof type you may see in children’s drawings and most homes throughout the country. The gable roof is essentially a triangle with its base on the top of the home with the two sides meeting at the ridge. Depending on the design, the angle of the slope may vary.

This is a very popular roof type as it is flexible and works on most home designs. To make sure it stands out, consider adding front gables at the doorway as well.

Clipped Gable Roof

The style also known as bullnose roof is very similar to the gable roof, with the main difference being the hips at the end of the ridge as the top peaks are bent in. They are a nice variation of the gable roof with an eye catching detail that can help improve your home’s curb appeal. But make no mistake, they are equally as effective in protecting your home.

Dutch Gable Roof

The dutch gable roof combines both hip roofs and gable. It features a smaller gable roof on top of the traditional hip roof. It allows for more attic space and leaves a room for an attic window to be added. This is ideal if you want to transform your attic into a new room for additional habitable space in your home.

Hip Roof

The hip roof is made up of four slopes of the same height that meet at the top, forming a simple ridge. This style also has several variations, like the one with a half hip. Its design makes it very prominent, which makes the shingle decision all the more important since most of your roof will be visible. However, this is a great choice if you want to increase your home’s curb appeal.

Gambrel Roof

This type of roof is most commonly seen on traditional barns with a wide trim. The two sides of the roof each have two slopes. The bottom side of the slope is steep, while the top side is gentle. This roof design is great if you want to use the top floor as a room or studio as it allows for a taller ceiling. The steep side is the most prominent, so choosing the right shingles is a must.

Flat Roof

The flat roof reached its peak between 1945 and the 70’s, with the rise of mid-century modern architecture. Flat-roof homes became a staple for Hollywood actor homes as well as the go-to for any serious entrepreneur. The flat roof is still widely popular as it allows for more room on the second floor. However, bear in mind that the flat roof is not completely flat. Instead, there is a slight incline made so that the water does not stay on the roof.