Residential & Commercial Roofing - Siding - Windows

What Kind of Roof Do You Have?

Gable or Cross Gable

The most common roof style, gable roofs consist of two equally portioned roof surfaces at the same angle. Gable roofs are usually the most space efficient, leak resistant, economical, and easiest to construct. However, gable roofs are the worst choice for hurricane prone areas, as they do not hold up well to high winds.

Mansard

Common in Victorian style architecture, mansard roofs have a distinctive shape – the four-sided lower surfaces have a much steeper slope than the upper surfaces. While mansard roofs provide a significant attic space, they are not recommended for cooler climates. The bracing on the shallow upper surfaces cannot handle heavy snowfall.

Hip, Pyramid Hip, or Cross Hip

Hip roofs are another common style. Unlike the gable roof, hip roofs have additional sloping roof surfaces where the gable wall would be. Because of this added brace, hip roofs are highly recommended for areas affected by tropical storms. Another bonus is that all the adjoining walls in a hip roof design will be the same height. Nonetheless, hip roofs offer less interior space and hinder maintenance work due to lack of storage.

Shed

The shed roof or “lean-to” is a roofing style that consists of one sloping surface that covers the entire structure or addition. Shed roofs are more economical than many other styles because less material is needed. This style is perfect for covered porches, additions, storage, or workshop space.

Saltbox

The saltbox is a roof design found on many colonial style homes. It combines the traditional gable with a one story shed roof. These designs are ideal for one-story additions.

Gambrel

The gambrel or barn roof consists of two sides with a steep sloping bottom portion and a lower pitched upper portion, similar to the mansard. Gambrels provide a significant amount of storage space. Moreover, dormers can be added for addition room on the top floor.

Flat

Flat roofs consist of a single surface and have a very slight slope. The materials needed for this design are fairly economical, but have a shorter life than most pitched roofing materials. In addition, flat roofs tend to collect water despite protective membranes. Therefore, this style is not well suited for areas that experience high levels of precipitation.

Commercial Roofing Options     by Marina Moser

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin-based)

A fairly recent option, TPO roofs are available in white, gray, and black. Great for warmer climates, these roofs tend to reflect sunlight, adding to the buildings overall energy efficiency. Additionally, TPO is fairly lightweight, wind-resistant, and waterproof. These roofing systems typically report as having stronger seams than their EPDM counterparts. However, different manufacturers utilize different plastic components in their own TPO formulations, so much vital information about their overall strength and stability remains unknown.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride-based)

Used for over 40 years, these vinyl based roofing systems are known for being lightweight and flexible. Although it has a tendency to be pricey, PVC systems are resistant to fungus, UV radiation, and ozone. Best used on no or low-slope roofs, they can stand up to wind, fire, and other severe weather conditions as well. Furthermore, PVC roofs are the only commercial with an established recycling program.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer-based)

EPDM is a synthetic rubber commonly used to waterproof roofs. Being fairly low maintenance and economical, this roofing system is a popular choice for many commercial projects. Perks include ozone and UV resistance as well as flexibility to extreme weather conditions. In addition, business owners seeking sustainable options can utilize EPDM systems for rainwater harvesting, since they do not pollute accumulated rainwater.