What is one of the most important, if not the most important, aspects of a home? The roof, of course! Your roof is vital because it protects everything underneath from weather elements. Not only does your roof keep you protected from the elements it improves the curb appeal of your house. You may just think that there is only one type of roof but there are many different styles and gradations of each. Let’s explore five different types of roofs for your home.
TYPES
Mansard Roof
This particular style of roof is French. It’s comprised of four slopes with two on each side of the home. The lower slope is a steeper and more vertical slope than the upper slope. And, the upper slope is sometimes visible from the ground. The main perk to this type of roof is the storage space it allows and the possibility of additional living space at the top of the house. This roofing option is unique, yet practical.
Saltbox Roof
For those on the adventurous side, this is the roofing style to look into. It looks quite contemporary from the exterior. It’s an asymmetrical, long-pitched roof complete with one very long side and one short side. This sometimes results in a home that is two stories in height on one side and one story on the other side.
Flat Roof
If the Saltbox Roof sounded too quirky for you, the Flat Roof option is the complete opposite. It is exactly what it sounds like: flat and simple. This option is easy to construct, safe, and accessible if you need to climb to the top. However, it will require more maintenance than other roofs because debris will start to pile up with nowhere to go.
Pyramid Roof
Just like this type sounds, this roof is shaped like a pyramid. It’s usually used on small portions of homes or small structures such as a garage or pool house. There are a couple of different similar roofs with variations such as the Hip Roof and the Bonnet Roof. With the Hip Roof, instead of coming to a point at the top like the Pyramid Roof, the four sides come together at a ridge. Also, the Bonnet Roof is different in that two of the sides slope out on an angle, which creates a covering.
Skillion Roof
Sometimes used on just a portion of the home, this type of roof is a single-sloping surface. In order to wrap your mind around this style, think of it as a flat roof that has been inclined slightly or as half of a triangular roof. It can create a unique shape for part of your home’s exterior.
Gable Roof
Gable roofs can also be known as pitched or peaked roofs. These roofs are some of the most popular types and see wide use in the U.S. Their triangle shapes make them easy to recognize. The advantage of gable roofs is that they easily shed water and snow, provide attic space or vaulted ceilings, and allow for better ventilation. Their easy design makes them affordable and easy to build. The only downside to these roofs is they do not hold up well in high wind or hurricane areas and can shed material in the face of high wind speed.
Hip Roof
hip roofs slope on all four sides and all sides are equal in length and come together at the top to form a ridge. These roofs are more stable than others thanks to the inward slope of all four sides. They work well in areas that see high winds and now frequently. The addition of a dormer or a crow’s nest can also increase living space.
Jerkinhead Roof
Jerkinhead roofs combine elements from both gable and hip roofs. Sometimes these roofs are known as clipped gable roofs or English hip roofs. They are more stable than a regular gable roof; by clipping or turning the point down, the roof becomes more stable. They also provide more space than traditional hip roofs. However, while these roofs can have complex designs, the more complex the design the higher the costs.
Butterfly Roof
The butterfly roof uses a V-shape design constructed out of two tandem pieces that are angled up on the outside. This forms a valley at the center of the roof angled downward. This gives it the look of a butterfly spreading its wings in flight. This is a modern, Eco-friendly roof that is popular in tropical home designs. The outer edges’ upper slopes allow for larger windows to be used, giving the interior more natural light. This can lower heating bills in the winter. The valley can even collect water via a drain spout and water barrel. This is ideal for areas that are frequented by droughts. The downside to this Eco-friendly design is a more expensive upfront cost. When used in areas that see a lot of sunshine in combination with solar panels, you can offset these costs over a long-term period.
Materials
There are many types of roofing materials to choose from, and a little bit of investigation might lead you to consider a new type of roofing rather than simply replacing the same material you now have. Choosing the right roofing material requires that you weigh appearance, longevity, cost, and structural issues.
Rolled roofing material is the mainstay of low-slope residential roofs as well as outbuildings like shops and sheds and other utilitarian structures. Rolled roofing consists of long rolls of mineral-impregnated and asphalt-impregnated material topped with mineral granules. Each roll is about 100 square feet of roofing, and about 3 feet wide.
These large-format strips of thin roofing material offer a fast, convenient, and inexpensive way to cover a sloped-roof building like a workshop where appearances aren’t important. Rolled roofing can be applied either with the torch-down method or with roofing nails.
Rolled roofing is relatively inexpensive, costing $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot, installed. Rolled roofing lasts, on average, about 10 years before it needs to be replaced.
2) Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
Built-up roofing (BUR) is one of the oldest options for material for flat roofs or roofs that are very low in pitch. BUR systems are constructed with several layers of roofing felt impregnated with asphalt that is applied hot. The felt is applied in overlapping layers to form a barrier two to four layers thick, then a layer of finely crushed stone is embedded in hot tar over the top to create a very durable and impenetrable roof.
BUR roofs typically cost $2.50 to $5 per square foot, installed. Industry surveys show that a properly installed BUR roof can last 20 to 30 years.
3)Membrane Roofing
Another choice for flat or very low-pitch roofs is a membrane roof. There are several types of a membrane that can be used, including:
- Neoprene (polychloroprene)
- EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer)
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
- Chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene sheets
- Polymer-modified bitumens
One of the best membranes is EPDM. EPDM is a synthetic roofing material often referred to as “rubber roofing.” It is similar to rolled asphalt roofing in that it is applied in large sheets that limit the number of seams where water can infiltrate.
Costs for a membrane roof range from $3 to $4 per square foot, installed. Lifespan is typically 20 to 35 years when the roof is properly maintained.
4) Asphalt Composite Shingles
Asphalt composite shingles are the most popular roofing material in North America. Made from a fiberglass base topped with asphalt and mineral granules, these three-tab shingles are an all-around good choice for most home roofing needs. They typically come with a 20- to 30-year warranty, and replacing individual shingles that are damaged is a fairly easy job. Virtually every roofing company is familiar with installing these singles. Composite shingles excel at flexing and adapting to a roof’s movements due to expansion and contraction.
Costs range from $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, installed. Depending on the quality of the shingles and the conditions, the lifespan of the roof can range from 12 to 30 years.
5) Standing Seam Metal Roofing
The most common type of metal roof is the standing seam roof, so named because the aluminum or steel roofing panels meet in raised seams that interlock to keep moisture out. Metal roofs of all kinds are increasingly popular in regions with heavy snowfall or where there is a notable danger of wildfires since this is a roofing material that is fully fireproof.
Metal roofs are very long-lived and are fully recyclable when they finally do wear out. But installation requires special skills and not every roofing company is prepared to install a standing seam metal roof.
Costs typically run from $6 to $12 per square foot, installed. Metal roofs commonly last 30 to 50 years, but some have been known to last 75 years.
For homeowners who do not like the look of standing seam metal roofs but want the advantages of metal, there are steel or aluminum shingles or shakes now available. Made from stamped metal and finished with either a high-quality baked-on coating or mineral granules, metal shingles can be fabricated to look very much like traditional asphalt shingles, wooden shakes, or even slate or clay tiles. They are an excellent choice where appearance is a critical concern.
Metal shingle roofs typically cost $7 to $10 per square foot, installed. They can last 30 to 50 years.
7) Wood Shingle or Shakes
Wood roofs are very attractive, but they are also quite expensive and have limitations. They are not particularly long-lived, and they are a poor choice in areas that get lots of moisture or where wildfires are a danger. Still, they are among the most attractive of all roofing materials, which makes them a popular choice for luxury homes.
Although both are made from natural wood, usually cedar (typically found on Cape Cod-style homes) or redwood, there is a difference between wood shakes and shingles. Shingles are typically thin, wedge-shaped slabs of wood that are produced by precise sawing. Shakes are produced by splitting wood and they are thicker wedges with a rougher texture.
Shingles typically cost about $4.50 to $9 per square foot, installed; shakes are more expensive, with average costs of $6.50 to $11 per square foot, installed. Longevity depends very much on circumstances and maintenance. In relatively dry climates a wood shingle or shake roof can last 60 years; in damp conditions, you may only get 20 years from the roof.
8) Clay Tile
Clay tile is made from earthen clays molded into rolled or interlocking shapes and fired for hardness. It is often left unglazed, with the characteristic reddish-orange color; or it can be glazed and fired to form ceramic roofing tiles. Clay tile is a very good roofing material for hot climates or where salt air is present, which is why these roofs are seen so often in southern coastal regions or desert regions.
Tile is an expensive roofing material, with costs that can range from $10 to $18 per square foot, installed (though more uncommon ceramic tiles can run as much as $30 per square foot, installed). Clay tile is a very long-lasting roofing material that can last more than a century.
9) Concrete Tile
Concrete tile is an alternative to clay tile, with similar installation techniques and similar advantages. Concrete tiles are molded from standard sand-mix concrete colored to whatever hues are desired. A variety of profiles are available, some of which resemble rolled clay tiles, others that are low-profile resembling wood shakes. Concrete tile is sometimes finished with a decorative coating. It is a very heavy roofing material, making it a good choice in high-wind regions.
Costs are about one-third less than clay tile—typically about $9 to $12 per square foot. Life expectancy is 50 years or longer.
10) Slate Shingles
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A slate roof is perhaps the most beautiful roofing material there is—a choice for the homeowner who will accept only the finest. There are slate roofs hundreds of years old that are still functioning. True slate roofing is just as it sounds: authentic, thin sheets of real stone. Because slate has a tendency to cleave off in thin sheets, it is easy to quarry, making it ideal for roofing. But installing slate is a highly specialized skill, and qualified installers can be hard to find.
Slate roofs typically cost $30 to $75 per square foot, installed. But it is very likely the only roofing you will ever install—a slate tile roof often lasts 75 to 200 years.
11) Synthetic (Rubber) Slate Tile
Synthetic slate shingles are a surprisingly convincing stand-in for natural slate, but this material is constructed from engineered polymers combined with recycled plastic and rubber. From the ground, it can be virtually impossible to distinguish this engineered roofing from natural slate. And synthetic slate is quite lightweight, making it a viable option for houses that cannot support the heavyweight of natural slate.Synthetic slate roofing typically costs $6 to $12, installed. Although not as durable as true stone, synthetic slate usually comes with a very good warranty—up to 50 years.
12) Eco-Friendly Green Roof
Moss is usually regarded as a bad sign when found on your roof, but when properly planned for, moss and other living plant materials provide an effective roofing material that gives back to the earth.A truly unorthodox type of roof, the green or living roof nevertheless holds much promise. It can put oxygen back in the air, provide thermal insulation to your house, absorb rainwater, and even allow you to grow plants. To create a green roof, you first install a layer of waterproof membrane and provide adequate drainage. A green roof can be “intensive,” meaning capable of supporting large plants and people, or “extensive,” which means that it is thin and intended only for light-weight growth such as moss.
Costs for a green roof vary widely, but this is definitely a roof for those willing to spend money to make an environmental statement. Such roofs will also require regular maintenance to keep them lasting a long time.
Tip
Many building codes do not allow this type of roof to be built. Check with your local building department before committing to a green or living roof.
Importance of a Good Roof
Protection
Your roof stands between the interior of your home and the exterior world. If it’s in good shape, your roof serves as a barrier against snow, hail, rain, ice, branches, and debris. If your roof is in poor shape, your home can get leaks, develop mold and mildew, and experience other problems. Even a small leak in the roofline can cause large-scale water problems across major home systems.
Home Value
A good roof enhances your home’s curb appeal, one factor in home value. If your roof is full of moss and algae, sags, or appears decrepit, it sends a signal that your home hasn’t been kept up. If the roof is in good shape, a potential buyer can assume the rest of the house has been tended to with care. That can translate into higher prices when you sell your home.
Energy Efficiency
Even if you aren’t selling your home, a good roof adds value. When you have a structurally sound roof, proper ventilation, and sufficient attic insulation, your home will experience fewer air leaks. You’ll be more comfortable with the air conditioner at a higher temperature, and you’ll see lower heating and cooling bills. If you care about comfort in the home, want to save money, and want to protect your home value, then you need a good roof.
When to Replace Your Roof
Now that you know how important it is to have a good roof, are you wondering what shape yours is in? While there’s no substitute for having a professional roofer inspect your roofing system, here are some signs your roof needs attention:
- Damaged or missing shingles – Damaged or missing shingles indicate a worn-out roof. When shingles start to curl, develop cracks, or lose their granules, they cannot protect your roof properly.
- Light comes through the attic – If you can see the sky from your attic, your roof has holes. Call a pro immediately to reduce water damage in the home.
- Widespread staining – Stains often indicate algae and moss damage. Algae and moss degrade shingles and may cause water damage. If the damage is widespread, your roof could be compromised.
- Age – If your roof is old enough to drink, it’s already exceeded its average lifespan. Asphalt roofs tend to last 20 years. The closer yours gets to 20, the more likely it is to fail. Rather than wait until this happens (and deal with the stress of emergency replacement), plan ahead.
If you spot any of those signs, have a roofer come out. While minor problems may be repairable, in many cases it’s more practical (and cost-effective) to replace a worn roof with a high-quality roofing system.
Fixing Problems
PROTRUSIONS –
There are many technical aspects to building a solid, well-tempered, and leakless roof, but protrusions are always trying to make it more complicated. A protrusion can be defined as any part of the home that is built through the roof, so any kind of vent, chimney, or skylight can be considered a protrusion. The issue with these additions is that it creates a perfect place for water to get under the roof, and it requires a unique solution.
These solutions are known as flashing. Many homeowners are not aware that this metal or plastic covering can make or break the construction of a roof. There are also tiers to flashing, for instance, copper flashing may be more expensive but more durable whereas aluminum flashing would be cheaper and less durable. Aluminum is a solid choice because it takes paint well and the weather may not be extreme enough to justify a more durable product.
Things through the roof must be flashed around or sealed around in order to create a lasting long-term Roof System.
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- skylights
- chimneys
- sidewalls (like we have a dormer coming up through your roof, or maybe the roof to the first floor of your house runs against the sidewall of the second story of your home)
- plumbing pipes
- conduit for electrical entrances
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References: The Spruce, 
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Klause Roofing, Ask Todd Miller
