Common Roof Types & Styles Explained, Plus Design Examples & Tips
By: Mackenzie
Choosing between roof types plays a role in the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your home. With a variety of styles available, each offering its own set of benefits and considerations, navigating through the options can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re building a new home or considering an upgrade, we can help you understand the different roof types that would work for your home. Read on for some examples and tips.
From the rooftop to the landscaping around your home, our designers have you covered from the ground up — literally. Whether you have small and simple design aspirations or you have more involved and grandiose goals in mind, we can help. Our designers will work to understand your design goals and bring them to life. Learn more about what we do.
What type of roofing is best?
Finding which roof materials make the most sense for your exterior is about balancing aesthetics with durability and considering climate. Asphalt shingles are popular because they are versatile and available in a wide variety of styles and colors. Metal roofing, which also comes in a range of colors, is known for its longevity and energy efficiency. You can also combine roof materials for a “best of both worlds” approach. Of course, part of choosing which type of roofing is best is understanding what works well with the roof style on your home.
Gable roof
Gable roofs are one of the most classic and popular roof types, especially on traditional homes like the one in this design. These roofs have a distinct triangular shape, which makes them easily identifiable. Their simple design features two sloping sides that meet at a central ridge, creating a peak or gable at each end. This design also highlights several individual gables throughout, bringing even more depth and definition to the façade.
Gable roofs are versatile and work for a variety of styles, from traditional to modern designs. They are also relatively easy and cost-effective to construct, making them a popular choice among homeowners.
Hip roof
This exterior has a traditional vibe with a modern flare, enhanced by one of our favorite roof styles: hip. Hip roofs, distinguished by their elegant and symmetrical design, have all sides sloping downward toward the walls, typically with a gentle pitch like the one in this design. This style provides a sturdy and stable structure, making hip roofs particularly well-suited for regions prone to high winds or heavy snowfall. The inward slope on all sides enhances the roof’s resilience against wind uplift, while the additional eaves offer better shade and protection from the elements.
For this home, the hip roof adds some sophistication to the aesthetic. The light gray metal roof material anchors the warm neutral palette, marked by light gray siding, white stucco, and wood accents.
Mansard roof
Mansard roofs, also known as French roofs, are a hallmark of elegant and historic architecture, characterized by their dual-pitched design on all four sides. The lower slope of a mansard roof is steeply angled, often containing dormer windows, while the upper slope is much flatter. In this design, we enhanced that distinctive shape with a Dutch-shaped copper awning above the entrance.
The mansard roof’s architectural appeal is timeless and lends itself effortlessly to the sophisticated and classical look of this French country design. If you’re searching for roof styles that will add significant character and charm to your exterior, the mansard roof is the way to go.
Shed roof
Shed roofs, also known as skillion or lean-to roofs, feature a single sloping plane. In this contemporary design, the shed roof offers a sleek and modern aesthetic infused with bold architectural features. This simplistic design is not only cost-effective and easy to construct but also highly efficient in shedding (hence the name) water and snow. These roofs are a popular choice for homeowners looking for a minimalist, functional, and visually striking roofing option.
Dormer roof
Certain roof types can add charm to your exterior. Dormer roofs incorporate small roofed structures that project vertically from the main roof, creating additional space and windows. In this design, the dormers add dimension to the sloped section of the main roof. They also break up the vast roof space, adding contrast to the black shingles with the white siding on the dormers.
Dormers can come in various styles, including gable, hipped, or shed, each adding unique character to the overall roof design. Beyond aesthetics, dormers increase usable interior space and natural light.
Flat roof
Flat roofs feature a nearly level surface. These roofs are a hallmark of modern and contemporary architecture but also translate to traditional aesthetics like this one. In this design, the flat roof provides a minimalistic design that isn’t overly busy and distracting. Because the roofline is straight and simple, the other elements of the home, like the window trim and double doors, stand out.
Gambrel roof
Often associated with classic barns and colonial architecture, gambrel roofs feature a distinctive two-sided design with two slopes on each side. The lower slope is steeper, while the upper slope is more gradual. Gambrel roofs not only provide architectural interest but also offer excellent drainage because of the slopes.
The gambrel roof style in this design is accentuated by thick white fascia and soffits, which coincides with the trim throughout the façade. The trim also provides definition alongside the bold black siding.
Combination style roof
As you explore different roof styles, you might find more than one that speaks to your design goals. Guess what? There is no rule book that says you can’t combine them, and it’s quite common to do just that! In this design, we combined a hip roof with gables. This coupling provides balance to the exterior and is further defined by mixed materials including vinyl and shake siding and stone.
Metal roof
Metal roofs are renowned for their durability, energy efficiency, and modern appeal, making them a popular choice. These roofs are highly resistant to extreme weather conditions and are resistant to fire. Our designers love recommending metal roofs since they come in a variety of colors. For this design, we used a dark gray metal roof to enhance the modern rustic aesthetic.
Asphalt shingle roof
As the most widely used roofing material, asphalt shingles are beloved and popular. These shingles are versatile and can be used on any type of roof, blending with any design style. Here, we used black asphalt shingles to blend with the classic palette on the house. The simplicity of the roof also doesn’t detract from the romantic vibe of the exterior.
Clay tile roof
Roof types often go hand-in-hand with certain design styles. This Spanish home showcases a red clay tile roof, which is one of the key characteristics of that design style. The rustic elegance of the tiles blends with the other intricate elements, like the Juliet balcony and mounted lanterns.
Ready to revamp your roof?
Choosing the right roof is more than just a practical decision — it’s a chance to enhance your home’s curb appeal. With a range of styles from classic gable to contemporary shed, each option offers unique benefits to suit your needs. By understanding these roof types and their advantages, you can make a choice that blends functionality with style, ensuring your home stands strong and looks great for years to come.
Whether you’re feeling inspired to redo your roof or you’d like to focus on a different design element, our designers are up for the challenge. We even offer a paint visualizer service if you want to simply see what your exterior would look like in another color. Our comprehensive design services will leave nothing left to be desired. Get started today!
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