Roofs may not be super exciting to you but they do effect how your house will look — depending on the style you choose, the materials you use and the colour scheme. So what is the right roof style for your home? Let’s find our more and go from there.
There are so many different styles of roof that you have to consider when you’re choosing one for your home and in truth, the options can be a little overwhelming. You need to understand what the options really are and the pros and cons of each — that’s the only way you will ever be able to make a fully informed decision on the matter. Before talking to your house-builder, take a drive around your city or town and see what roofs are out there. Take note of what you like and don’t like plus take lots of pictures so you can find out what roofs they are or to show your builder.
Gambrel roof. If you don’t know what a gambrel roof looks like, imagine a barn. It has two sides that slope down the sides of the house. It’s a bit like a mansard roof except they slope down on all four sides. Pros – the bulky frame means that the roof doesn’t slope to a point. It’s a gentle slope at the top, creating space for a room or storage space at the top of the home. The fact that it only has two sides means building costs can be lowered too. Cons – the gentle slope at the top makes this kind of building more vulnerable to the elements. It can take a heavy battering in storms with high winds, and snow can collect on the top.
Mansard roof. A mansard roof slopes on all four sides and then meets at the top to create a low-pitched design. They’re usually found on old French homes and are sometimes known as French roofs. Pros – they’re the perfect style of roof for anyone looking to create some extra living space. Or the space at the top of the building can be used as a very large attic space for storage. Cons – because it’s a low-pitched type of roof, it’s very easy for snow to pile up during winter. If the roof is designed in a way that stops this from being a problem, then it’s fine. But if the melting snow is allowed to leak through the roof then structural damage can occur.