Besides enhancing curb appeal and aesthetic value, your roof also serves a functional purpose. It shields your home’s interior and its occupants from adverse outside weather. That’s why you should take your time when picking out a roof for your home.
The roofs of residential homes are mostly sloped on at least one end to allow for proper drainage during rain and snowfall. Hip roof and gable roofs are historically among the most popular types of roofs in the country because they serve both aesthetic and functional purposes pretty well.
Both hip and gable roofs are ideal roof types for your next roof replacement. However, the better option depends on a couple of factors that we’ll discuss later on.
Keep reading as we highlight the pros and cons of both gable and hip roof, and see which is best suited for your case.
The Gable Roof
Gable roofs are among the most popular roofs in the country, and possibly worldwide. You can spot a gable roof from a mile away due to its iconic triangular shape. Gable roof is the most rudimentary roof design that consists of two plain sheets conjoined at the top to form a ridge.
You can trace gable roofs way back to the ancient Greeks who used them for their temples. Nowadays, they have become a staple for homes all across Europe, the US, and much of the world.
Types of Gable Roofs
Over the years, Gable roofs have diversified into a few types. Here are the main types of gable roofs
Side Gable- A side Gable has two equal-sized panels joined and pitched at the center. The door of the house will be placed on the side, under one panel of the gable roof.
Front Gable- Classic triangular gable roof with a center pitch and a door at the front of the house.
Box Gable- Similar to the classic triangular pitched gable, but they have a boxed roof section at the end
Cross Gable- These roofs consist of two or more intersecting rooflines. This means the roof will have the two or more ridges running perpendicular to each other.
Dutch Gable- You can think of the dutch gable roof as a combination between a gable and a hip roof. The gable roof sits on top of the hip roof which makes for a very spacious attic.
Advantages of Gable Roofs
There’s a reason why Gable roofs are so polar across the world. Here are some advantages of gable roofs:-
Cost-effective- The simplicity of its design and its ease of construction makes the gable roof a very cost-effective roofing solution. With such a high demand for gable roofs, the cost of production is also lower than that of hip roofs.
Plenty of attic space- Gable roofs give a little extra space that you could use for storage and other reasons.
It looks good- The minimalist design of gable roofs is excellent for those not looking to take a chance with their roof design.
Great ventilation- You can’t compare the ventilation you get with a gable roof with a hip roof’s ventilation.
Disadvantages of Gable Roofs
Gable roofs aren’t without their downsides. The following are some disadvantages of gable roofs:-
Cannot resist strong winds- Gable roofs are likely to fail under high-velocity winds. This makes it unsuitable for windy areas.
Low aesthetic value- For the chic individual, the simple minimalist designs of gable roofs may not suit their taste.
That pretty much sums up all the downside to gable roofs. Remember, to get a reputable contractor like Sonshine Roofing for your gable roofs. Improper installation is the number one reason gable roofs fail.
The Hip Roof
If you’re not a huge fan of gable roofs, then hip roofs are more your fancy. Hip roofs have three or more pitched planes with downward slopes. A ridge at the top of the roof joins all planes, and the slope makes for excellent drainage.
Hip roofs date way back to the 18th century but became a hit with American houses in the 1950s. If you take good care of your hip roof, it can last you more than 50 years.
Type of Hip Roofs
There are many types of hip roofs for your consideration. Here are the most common types of hip roofs.
Simple hip- This is the most basic version of the hip roof. It consists of two polygons and two triangles that sit opposite of each other.
Cross hip- A more stylish variation of the conventional four-sided hip roof. It consists of two hip roofs either in an “L” or “T” shape installed side by side.
Hip roofs have many variations, and there’ no limit to what designs you can choose for your home. However, just like a gable roof, hip roofs require extreme care and precision during installation.
Pros of Hip Roofs
Hip roofs are a popular choice for homeowners across the country. Here are a few reasons why this could be so:-
Weather-resistant- Hip roofs can withstand harsh weather conditions, unlike gable roofs. This makes them ideal for windy and storm-prone areas.
High aesthetic value- You can design hip roofs into intricate designs for a visually stunning roof. It has more design variety compared to gable roofs.
Material variety- You can construct hip roofs with a variety of materials, including shingles, and even metal panels.
Seamless guttering and eves- The eves and guttering that surround the roof can be consistent on all sides.
These are just a few reasons why people across the country swear by hip roofs. However, hip roofs also have their cons.
Cons of Hip Roofs
Owning a hip roof comes with its own set of problems. Here are some cons of hip roofs.
Hard to build and design- Hip roofs have intricate designs that make them pretty hard to construct.
Less space- Compared to gable roofs, hip roofs give less attic space for storage or any other reason.
Expensive- You might have to dig deep into your pockets to get yourself a hip roof. Hip roofs are marginally more expensive than gable roofs.
For most homeowners, the pros of owning a hip roof outweigh the cons. That’s why you’ll see most homes rocking this kind of roof.
The Choice Is Yours
There’s both a good side and bad side to choosing either a hip or gable roof for your roof replacement. Ultimately, the choice of roof replacement you pick solely depends on you and your personal preferences. Regardless of your choice, remember never to compromise on your roofing contractor.
For most homes, the roof is the icing on the cake. Bringing the best out of your home takes a lot of hard work and commitment. For helpful reads on how to do exactly that, make sure you check out the other pieces on the site.
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