Customizing your home showcases your individual design preferences and is key to making your place truly feel comfortable. When it comes to the outside of the home, homeowners are usually focused on enhancing the visual appeal of their property, increasing their resale value, and maintaining the overall safety of their home or building. After all, your roof shelters your family from the New England weather and keeps them safe.
Gable Roof
One of the more popular styles of roofing among homeowners is the Gable roof. It contains two slopes with intersecting edges that form an upside down V-shape. This type of roof is commonly found in modular, cottage, or ranch-style homes which are very popular in New England
The pros:
- Larger internal attic space that is great for additional storage room.
- Very cost-effective to build and install.
- Rain is fended off easily preventing unwanted leaks and because of the slope the weight of snow is distributed nicely not putting to much pressure on any area.
The cons:
- Increased vulnerability to wind damages.
- Additional vents will be needed to properly circulate airflow and avoid unwanted moisture buildup.
Gambrel Roof
Typical for farms or barn houses, the Gambrel roof is a symmetrical roof characterized by its two slopes that differ in steepness – with the lower of the two with a much steeper surface.
The pros:
- Increases the space of the loft, storage space or can be enough room for apartment.
- Uses a minimal amount of building materials.
- Building and maintaining a Gambrel roof is extremely efficient.
The cons:
- Not suitable for New England Winters because of heavy snow.
- Needs regular maintenance.Extremely prone to leaking.
Flat Roof
As the name implies, the flat roof has a relatively level surface area with no obvious pitch. Flat roofs typically have a small pitch to help disperse rainwater that collects on the roof. These roofs are typical in malls, commercial buildings and mobile homes.
The pros:
- Room to create outdoor area.
- Convenient for solar panels.
- Great place for HVAC units to be concealed from view.
The cons:
- Extremely vulnerable to leaks from pooling rainwater.
- Requires regular maintenance.
- Need to conduct inspections on a regular basis.
Hip Roof
Typically used for multi-story buildings, farmhouses and homes containing wrap-around porches, the hipped roof slopes downward on all sides.
The pros:
- High level of stability, which is ideal for New England weather.
- Easily shed snow, reducing the likelihood of unwanted buildup and collapsing.
- Complements virtually all home styles.
The cons:
- Could suffer from leaking.
- Additional building materials are needed to assemble the hip roof.
- Could require additional vents for proper ventalation.
A-Frame Roof
This type of roof contains steeply-angled sides that resembles the letter A. The A-frame is traditionally found on cottages, cabins, and vacation home, but can be installed on both single and multi-story homes. You may have seen the A-frame roof at a ski lodge you visited or homes with cold winter climates because their steep pitch is perfect for areas that experience heavy snowfall.
The pros:
- The A-frame is the simplest option to construct and maintain.
- Limited chance of water damage or collapse.
- Provides a great deal of natural light.
The cons:
- Without a sufficient gutter system, the A-frame could vulnerable to the pooling of water around its foundation.
- Large area taken up for attic rather then house.
- You lose space with the angled walls which makes it difficult to place furniture.
Mansard Roof
This four-sided gambrel-like hip roof, sometimes called a French or Curb roof, is characterized by two slopes on each side, with the lower slope being substantially steeper than its upper counterpart. Mansard roofing is commonly found in older homes and was a popular architectural style post Civil War.
The pros:
- The look and feel of the home can be customized to your liking by selecting either curved or flat siding.
- The build is designed to easily add an attic, upstairs living quarters, or a garret.
- Both open and closed dormers can be easily attached to this roofing style.
The cons:
- More maintenance and upkeep demands than other roofing options.
- Has a difficult time discarding snow.
- This type of roof has a larger out-of-pocket expense to build and install.
Call BP Builders
If you are wondering what type of roof makes sense for your home or commercial building, give us a call at BP Builders , a Certainteed Certified Roofing Contractor, to schedule your free inspection today.
For more information on our roof inspection and roofing services, stay in touch with BP Builders your CT roofing contractor, MA roofing contractor and RI roofing contractor.
The next time you’re searching for roofing companies near me, roofing contractors near me or roofing contractors ct, look no further then BP Builders. We would be happy to serve you. Call us now or fill out the form on this page.
