Roof Shapes for Home | Alex Garden

The choice of roof is a fundamental and important decision when building a house. Different roof shapes not only determine the appearance of the building, but also bring different advantages and disadvantages. That’s why builders should carefully consider what their future roof should accomplish at the design stage. But what types of roofs are actually available for houses? We will list the advantages and disadvantages of the most common roof shapes to make your decision easier.

Choose the shape of the roof of the house: take into account the development plan

Builders don’t always have carte blanche when it comes to roof design. Municipal development plans often contain clear guidelines, what is allowed on your property. Roof ridge alignment, roof material, and pitch are sometimes specified. It is therefore important to check the development plan with the local authority beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises later. If there are no specific provisions in the statutes, property owners are free to choose the shape of the roof.

Common Home Roof Shapes: Roofs offer these benefits

The gable roof: the versatile classic

Two inclined surfaces converging at the highest point – this is the basic idea of ​​​​the gable roof. This roof shape is the most commonly used in German house construction. The timeless look combines harmoniously with many types of homes and, depending on the angle of inclination, performs various functions: Steeper roofs are particularly suitable for rainy and stormy areas, while flat roofs minimize the risk of avalanches in winter. The construction of the gable roof is relatively simple, so the cost of this type of roof is generally affordable, which has made it a classic.

Rötzer expert advice: With a gable roof with a knee-high floor you can easily set up the living space without losing space due to sloping roofs. You can find advice on how to optimally design the free space under the roof in our article “Furnishing and designing attic rooms”.

The hipped roof – an eye-catcher from rustic to representative

One of the oldest roof forms is the hipped roof, of which there are now many different versions. It is characterized by additional roof surfaces that are sloped on the eave side. Thanks to these, the shape of the roof is ideal for adverse weather conditions, as it optimally protects the house from wind and precipitation. Therefore, the hipped roof is especially common in the northern regions of Germany. Because it can be made in many architectural styles, the hipped roof is also popular elsewhere. Regardless of whether it is an old rustic building or a modern city villa, builders who are content with higher purchase costs are guaranteed to secure a representative eye-catcher for their house with a hipped roof.

The half-sloping roof

You often see one too Variant of the hipped roofthe so-called half-hip roof. Also in this case the roof surfaces are inclined on the sides of the eaves and the gable. The difference to the hipped roof is that the roof on the front sides of the house is not aligned with the other two roof surfaces, i.e. it does not reach up to the eaves, but is slightly shorter and a piece of the gable is visible. Compared to a hipped roof, there is more usable space left on the roofso this roof shape is a good solution for builders who appreciate a large living space. Furthermore, the hipped roof is very robust and resists wind and weather. However, compared to a gable roof, the construction is more complex and the construction costs are correspondingly higher.

The roof of the tent

Another Special hipped roof shape it is the roof of the tent. This type of roof has no ridge. The sloping surfaces of the roof instead converge towards an upward point. If the base area is square, it is called one Pyramidendach. Even unattached but tensioned roof structures, so-called Membrane roofsthey are called tent roofs.

The single-pitched roof: functional modernity

If you like practicality and modernity, the gable roof is also an option. The “gable roof” promises little maintenance and almost no restrictions on the living space. This roof shape also offers plenty of space for installing photovoltaic systems, which can actually save on energy costs. However, good thermal insulation is necessary so that the summer heat does not negatively affect the quality of life.

Measures such as our exclusive Rötzer climate blanket also help against excessively high ambient temperatures.

The flat roof: clear shapes for an urban lifestyle

Flat roofs are becoming increasingly common in modern architecture and urban environments. The shape of the roof creates clear lines – visually, but also in living terms, as it avoids cumbersome slopes in the living room and allows a lot of design freedom. A flat roof is also ideal for creating a roof terrace or even green roofs. However, the amount of care needed should not be ignored. A flat roof should definitely be installed by a specialist as it requires particularly careful sealing. Otherwise the builder may later get annoyed due to losses.

The Rotzer Creator-The family house can, if desired, be built as a dwelling, with bay window, facade and individually chosen color – exactly how you imagine your dream house. Please feel free to contact us and we will help you choose the right roof shape for your home.

Special roof shapes for the house

Gable, hipped, gable and flat roofs are among the most common roof shapes when it comes to building homes. However, there are other roof variants that are rarely used. These include the following roof shapes:

• Sheddach
• Schleppdach
• Barrel roof
• Domed roof

What’s up with these? Dachvarianten has to offer, read our blog post “Special roof variants: mansard roof, shed roof, pitched roof and so on”.