Picking A Roof Style Is Defining Your Home’s Personality

If you have unfortunate circumstances such as roof replacement or the fortunate circumstance of building your own home, you get to decide on what type of roof you would like to have! Most homeowners never get the chance to pick a roof style. How do you decide upon the many options that are out there? Are some better than others? The list is more vast than you’d think!

Picking a Roof Shape

A roof’s slope will be very important regarding aesthetics, but also functionality. There are specific residential codes for slope requirements, but your roofing contractor should be able to help you choose one that will work. There are 8 common roof types.

Gable – It’s the one you probably drew as a child. The shape is basically a triangle atop the house. The grade of slope can differ wildly from a gentle grade to a chalet style. Gables are the most popular shape.
Dutch Gable – It’s a Gable atop of a Hip-style roof. These are popular to give more attic room and the possibility of window space.
Clipped Gable – This is basically a gable with the top peaks bent in. This style is popular with those that want to show off their shingles.
Hip – A traditional design that’s four-sided with equal-length slopes all the way up. Also, another great option is to show off the shingles.
Gambrel – Picture a classic red barn with a 3 pointed top. This design is an excellent roof style for those who desire a loft or extra attic room.
Mansard – Originating from France, this style is four-sided but leads to a different grade at the top. This design also is good for those who want a loft or more attic space.
Shed – If you are going for a modern contemporary design, this is a popular option. It’s as it sounds, just one slope, similar to a lean-to style. This is for the art lover wanting a unique house.
Flat – Either you want a rooftop patio or more of a modern contemporary design. Some truly expensive structures, besides shopping malls, adorn their structures with flat top roofs. While a rooftop party sounds nice, be aware that intense waterproofing will be necessary.

(This list is brief. For more info on choosing the right shape click here. )

Choosing Shingles

Step 2 is picking a roof! Roofing shingles can vary widely among shapes, colors, sizes, and materials. We are just going to cover the common types used today and what benefits they have.

Asphalt – This is the most typical shingle type you will see in the US. It is also the most affordable to purchase and install. Shingles can be anywhere from $1 to $4.25 per sq. foot. There are many different types with loads of color options. The typical lasting time is 15 – 20 years.
Metal – If you enjoy the sound of rain hitting your roof, you might enjoy having a metal roof. There are many different types including copper shingles, steel, tin, zinc, and aluminum. Costs vary wildly, depending on the metal. Materials can go anywhere from $1.80 to $22 per sq. foot. This type of roofing has one of the longest lifespans, lasting 75 – 100 years.
Wood – Going for the rustic look? You might consider wood shingles or wood shakes. Shingles and shakes can go from $3.50 to $4.50 per sq. foot. Not bad right?! The lifespan really depends upon treatment and the type of wood. It can be anywhere from 15 – 50 years.
Stone – Want to go really old school? Clay, concrete, or slate can really be beautiful. Even though the shingles themselves might be thin, they make the roof very, very heavy. Pricing can be a bit much, from $3.25 to $15 per sq. foot, but you might make up the cost with lifespan. A lot of types of stone roofs last anywhere from 60 – 150 years! Talk about old school!
Plastic – Yes! Plastic! It’s a composite type of plastic typically made from recycled materials. It’s a very environmentally friendly option. Not too pricey either, with just a cost of $4 – $6 per sq. foot. It’s very lightweight and easy to install. On the downside though, they only last anywhere from 7 – 20 years.

The Bottom Line Of Picking A Roof Style

Worn out yet? What color of roof are you wanting? Ready to discuss the best roof color to reflect heat? There are a lot more options to consider. Looking for some help with picking a roof? There are even some we didn’t have room to mention like rubber and solar shingles! We hope this gives you an idea of the types of roofs you have to choose from. Even if you don’t need to choose, it’s still very interesting!

Looking for roof work or replacing a roof? Avsten Construction would love to help! We install and repair many different types. Contact us today for a FREE inspection or quote!