From Gable to Butterfly: A Look at 12 Types of Roof Shapes

The Four Main Roof Types

Most homes use one of four primary roof shapes. Each has specific strengths that make it ideal for different situations and climates.

Gable Roof

The gable roof features two sloping sides that meet at a peak, creating the triangular shape people draw when sketching a house. Water and snow slide off easily, and the design builds in plenty of attic space for storage or conversion. You'll find this style on homes throughout Tennessee because it handles rain and storms well while keeping costs reasonable. Variations include the cross gable roof and clipped gable, also called a jerkinhead roof. The main concern with this roof shape comes with high winds that can catch the triangular gable portion.

Hip Roof (or Hipped Roof)

On a hip roof, all four sides slope, meeting at a ridge or single point at the top. The sloping sides on every wall make this design more stable in the wind compared to gables. Traditional hip roof configurations handle weather better and give homes a finished, symmetrical look. Hipped roofs are more expensive to build because they use extra material and require more complicated framing. A pyramid roof represents a specific type where all four sides meet at a single point. The half-hipped roof offers a compromise between full hip and gable styles.

Flat Roof

These roofs aren't actually flat, but have a slight slope to drain water toward collection points. Flat roof designs work well on modern homes and provide usable space on top for gardens, solar panels, or outdoor living areas. EPDM flat roofs use synthetic rubber that resists UV damage and temperature extremes. Cool roof technology works particularly well on flat surfaces, with reflective membranes reducing heat absorption. The low-slope roofs found on many commercial buildings have proven how durable they can be when maintained properly.

Important: Flat roofs need more frequent maintenance than sloped designs. Check water drainage regularly to prevent pooling that can damage the membrane.

Mansard Roof

Each of the four sides of a mansard has two distinct slopes. The lower section drops nearly straight down, while the upper part sits at a gentler angle. This French-style design adds significant interior space and often includes dormer windows in the steep lower sections. The near-vertical walls essentially create an extra floor, though the flat or low-pitched top section needs proper drainage to avoid water problems.

#cta_here

Other Popular Roof Shapes

Beyond the four main roof types, several other designs serve specific purposes or create distinct architectural styles.

Gambrel Roof

The gambrel roof gives you a barn roof look with two slopes on each side. The lower slope drops steeply, while the upper slope angles more gently, creating substantially more attic space than a standard gable design. It’s a dual-slope setup that maximizes room underneath, making gambrel roofs popular when you want storage or plan to convert the attic. The complex angles where slopes meet need careful installation to prevent leaks at transition points. Gambrel roofs excel at providing headroom on the upper floor.

Shed Roof

A single sloping plane makes up the entire shed roof. It’s a simple design that is inexpensive to build and creates clean, modern lines. The pitch provides good drainage, and high windows on the tall side bring in natural light. Shed roofs work well as additions to existing homes or as primary roofing on smaller structures. Although this style lacks attic space, the straightforward construction means fewer places for problems to develop.

Pro tip: Shed roofs work exceptionally well for mounting solar panels at optimal angles for maximum energy production.

Dutch Gable Roof

This hybrid combines a hip base with a small gable section at the top. The hip portion adds structural strength, while the gable creates space for windows that light up the attic. The mixed design provides better wind resistance than a pure gable, while maintaining some of the vertical space and visual interest gables offer.

Butterfly Roof

In a butterfly roof, two sections slope toward the center rather than away from it, creating a V-shape that looks like butterfly wings. This dramatic design makes a statement and allows for tall windows on both sides that flood interiors with natural light. The center valley collects water, so drainage systems need to be robust. Butterfly roofs work best in areas without heavy snow that would accumulate in the valley.

Bonnet Roof

The bonnet extends past the walls to create covered porches or walkways all around. This southern-inspired design shades windows and walls from the sun and rain, helping to reduce heat gain and keep homes cooler. The extended eaves protect exterior walls from weather while adding old-world charm.

Saltbox Roof

One slope extends much longer than the other on a saltbox roof, creating an asymmetrical profile. Colonial homes in New England popularized this shape, which now appears on homes that want a historic look. The longer slope often covers a single-story section, while the shorter side sits over two stories. The two slopes meet at a central ridge, with the extended side adding substantial space underneath for varied interior ceiling heights.

A-Frame Roof

The A-frame roof extends from the peak all the way to the ground or near it, with steep walls that form a triangular shape resembling the letter A. This distinctive design maximizes interior volume while minimizing exterior wall area, making it popular for vacation cabins and modern

mountain homes. The steep slopes shed snow and rain exceptionally well, and the dramatic angles create unique interior spaces with high ceilings.

Dome Roof

Dome roofs create circular structures that taper to a point at the top, commonly seen on turret roof sections of Victorian homes. The curved roof surface distributes weight evenly in all directions, creating strong structural characteristics. These roofs require specialized construction techniques but offer distinctive aesthetic appeal and efficient use of roofing materials for residential buildings.

Different Shapes Require Roofing Materials

The material you pick works together with your roof shape to determine performance and appearance. Different roof styles accommodate specific roofing materials better than others.

• Asphalt shingles: Fit most sloped roofs and offer the best value for residential roofing. Three-tab and architectural shingles give you options for different budgets, with architectural versions providing better wind resistance. Asphalt shingle roofs handle Tennessee's climate well and work on everything from simple gables to complex hip designs.
• Metal roofing: Lasts 50 years or more and reflects heat to reduce cooling costs. Metal works on nearly any roof shape, from steep slopes to low slope roofs, and standing seam panels create clean lines. Wood roofing is naturally beautiful but requires more maintenance than metal or asphalt options.
• Membrane systems: Go on flat roofs and very low-slope designs where shingles won't work. EPDM rubber, TPO, and built-up membrane roofing systems create waterproof barriers that hold up to ponding water. These roofing materials prove essential for flat roofs found on contemporary residential buildings.
• Tile and slate: Appear on Mediterranean, Spanish, and high-end traditional homes. Concrete tiles and clay tiles last the lifetime of the house, but weigh significantly more than other roof coverings. Tile roofs perform exceptionally well on hip and mansard designs.
• Wood shingles: Create natural, rustic appearances that fit certain architectural styles. Wood shingles require more maintenance than manufactured materials and may not meet fire codes in some areas.

Climate plays a big role in material choice. In Tennessee, the weather means your roofing system needs to handle heat, humidity, and storms while shedding water effectively.

Choosing the Right Roof Type for Your Home

While aesthetics are important, several factors should guide your decision. Common roof shapes each suit different situations.

• Weather patterns: Steep slopes shed water and snow better than shallow pitches, while hip roofs handle high winds more effectively than gables. If you see severe weather regularly, storm resistance matters.
• Space needs: Gambrel and mansard designs add usable square footage under the roof, while flat roofs create outdoor space on top for various uses.
• Maintenance requirements: Complex designs with valleys need more attention than straightforward shapes, and flat roofs require regular drainage checks.
• Budget considerations: Roof replacement costs vary significantly by design complexity, with gables costing the least and mansards running the highest.
• Home architecture: Your roof should complement your home's overall design, as the roof design affects curb appeal as much as siding or landscaping.
• Energy efficiency: Roof shape affects heating and cooling costs through ventilation, material reflectivity, and proper roof slopes for solar panel installation.

To ensure your new roof serves your home well for decades, you’ll want to find the right balance between these factors. Working with an experienced roofing contractor helps you evaluate roofing options and make informed choices.