Homeowners work hard to make their homes look great on both the inside and outside, and one way to increase the visual appeal of your home — as well as the resale value — is to install a new roof or upgrade your old one.
There are many different types of roofs to choose from, and each has its distinct pros and cons. How To find a good roofing contractor?
Gable Roofs
The Gable roof is the roof you see most often and is identified by its distinct V-shape. These roofs give the homeowner a lot of attic space. Also, they’re inexpensive to install. That said, the Gable roof is prone to wind damage thanks to its sloping sides.
Gambrel Roofs
The Gambrel is easy to spot because it’s the type of roof seen in most barn construction. This roof features two distinct slopes, with the lower slope being steeper than the upper. The main advantage of this roof design is it provides the homeowner with plenty of loft space, which many people turn into a spare bedroom or home office. The downside to this roof is that it takes a true expert to install. Any mistakes will become apparent as soon as you get a heavy rainfall and see the leaks.
Flat Roofs
The flat roof may lack style, but it’s a perfect design for stores and other commercial structures. Although it’s not popular in America for residential homes, the flat roof is seen in many European homes. The advantage of a flat roof is it gives the building owner another “floor” on which they can have a patio or garden. Also, the flat roof is ideal for people who want to install solar panels as it provides for maximum coverage. The major downside to these roofs is they are prone to leaks because water tends to sit despite the slight pitch for drainage.
Hip Roofs
A Hip roof is one that slopes downward on all sides and is common in traditional farmhouses and homes that have a porch that wraps around. The advantage of having a hip roof is its stability, which makes it perfect for climates that get heavy winds. Also, the sloping on all sides minimized the chance of leaks or water damage. However, hip roofs can be expensive to build due to the additional materials required for construction.
Mansard Roof
This roof is similar to the Gambrel, having four sides. Other names for this roof are the French or the Curb roof. These roofs were popular with architects building right after the Civil War. The great thing about this roof is that it gives you plenty of upstairs living space. However, its construction requires that you be aggressive in its upkeep and maintenance.
A-Frame Roof
The A-Frame is similar to the Gable, but its sides slope much deeper so that it resembles the letter A. The advantage to this roof is that it’s simple to construct and keep up. However, the steep slope means heavy drainage around your foundation unless you construct a good gutter and drain system.