Whether you’re building a new house or replacing an existing roof, it’s important to understand roofing types and styles. The roof is the primary barrier that protects your home from inclement weather and other natural disasters.

Choosing the right roof type and material can greatly improve the health of your house or commercial property. Hiring the right Corpus Christi Roofers will make things easier for you.

M-Shaped Roof

When choosing a roof for your home or new building, it’s important to consider how the structure will fit into its environment and style. There are many different types of roofs, ranging from the simple gable to the more complex mansard or dormer. Some of these roofs feature unique architectural designs that add flair and personality to the structure. Others are more functional, such as flat roofs that are ideal for commercial buildings and provide space for storage and ventilation.

An M-shaped roof is an example of a combination roof, which includes multiple roofing styles to create a look that complements the building’s overall design. This type of roof features a gable on two sides and a hip roof in the center. It is a popular choice for Colonial and other pre-20th century houses, but it’s also becoming more common in modern homes.

Another type of M-shaped roof is a sawtooth roof, which is similar to a gable roof but has numerous peaks that alternate in pitch. This type of roof is often used in commercial buildings and can be a beautiful addition to a home if it has windows installed in the various peaks.

Open Gable Roof

When it comes to home design, one of the most important decisions that needs to be made is what roof style you want. The roof over your head protects the interior of your house from the elements and can make or break your home’s overall look. There are many different roofing styles available for your new home, including gable roofs.

A gable roof is a classic two-sided roof that has peaked sides and a triangular extension at the top called a gable. It’s a popular option for homes because it allows for plenty of attic space and can add visual interest to the structure. It also sheds water well and can be used with a variety of roof materials, from asphalt shingles to cedar shakes or metal.

The gable roof is commonly found in cold climates where it was first used. The roof can be constructed from a variety of materials, but it’s typically covered with asphalt shingles.

Barrel Vault Roof

With its simple elegance, the barrel vault can make even the most unassuming of buildings feel regal. This construction technique, which consists of arches lined up side by side, is especially suited to large spaces because it allows for tall ceilings without the need for excessive support structures.

While many builders are hesitant to use this type of ceiling because it’s difficult to install, this unique structure can be quite beautiful if used in the right setting. The key is to keep the lines clear and simple. Otherwise, a barrel vault can quickly become overbearing and take away from the beauty of the space.

This barrel vault copper roof was designed and built for the 2002 International Builders Show. Though not commonly found in home building, he believes that the gentle curve of this barrel vault will become more common as homeowners continue to embrace innovation and design trends.

The curved roof ceiling in this project was created by 37 rolled beams that were placed 5′ 6″ apart from one another going down like the ribs of a barrel. Each of these rolled beams had to be inspected and approved before being shipped to the site because any variance could cause the curved roof to misalign during installation.

Bell Roof

A bell roof is a symmetrical design that adds style to any structure. It can be found in Mediterranean-style homes and large modern houses. It also offers the added benefit of a high vantage point to take in the surrounding view.

This roof is often combined with dormers or cupolas to enhance a home’s architectural appeal and functionality. A bell roof also provides a wide base that is ideal for shedding water and snow, which helps to prevent leaks. The curved shape also allows for a spacious interior ambiance and increased ceiling heights.

A combination roof is a blend of several roofing styles to create an original and unique look. It is a popular choice for contemporary houses as it offers more space than other traditional roof designs and still maintains a sleek and sophisticated appearance. It also supports the installation of clerestory windows or louvers to help boost natural lighting and air circulation. A variety of roof materials can be used with a combination roof, but standing seam metal roofs are particularly well-suited for this type of roofing. They can be pre-curved or hand-formed on-site by a skilled metal fabricator to ensure a perfect fit.

Box Gable Roof

If you think back to elementary school, you probably drew pictures of square houses with a triangle on top. That’s a good example of what is known as a gable roof, one of the most popular styles in the United States.

With a gable roof, rainwater and snow easily shed off the home’s walls without pooling or collecting at the edges. This is a huge benefit for homes in areas that get heavy amounts of precipitation.

Additionally, the multiple slants of a gable roof create spacious attics that are perfect for storing belongings and creating a cozy living space on the upper floors of a home. Attics also help to control a house’s temperature by keeping warm air out during the summer and cool air in during the winter.

Another popular option is the cross gable, which features two perpendicular gable sections meeting at a right angle to each other. This is often found in Victorian-style homes or homes with additions like garages, dormers, and porches. A more unique option is the saltbox roof, which looks like a few different types of roofs melded together and is commonly found in many homes. This roof is perfect for those looking to add a touch of character to their home.

Sawtooth Roof

The sawtooth roof is a row of ridges that have different slants on either side. This unique roofing style is usually glazed to allow natural light to flood into a building or factory. This is also known as ‘daylighting’ and is an efficient way to bring in more natural sunlight while avoiding direct sun exposure.

Originally built in factories and mills during the Industrial Revolution, this roof type has found renewed popularity as energy efficiency is becoming more of a concern. As a result, these types of roofs are starting to make a comeback in commercial, residential, and even educational buildings.

These roofs are constructed of wood, steel, or reinforced concrete and are pre-engineered offsite using separately molded structural members. They are designed with symmetry and uniformity in mind to ensure that they will provide stable support for a building’s structure.

One of the most notable features of a sawtooth roof is its clerestory windows, which are placed in the center of each bay. They help to create more uniform lighting across the interior of the space and are especially useful for large rooms that can otherwise be difficult to illuminate. However, these windows can cause problems in some cases, as snow can collect in the low points of the roof and block the window from reaching its intended location.

Shed Roof

Shed roofs, also known as sawtooth roofs, are a good option for those seeking to maximize the amount of natural light coming into their building. However, it is crucial to integrate them with other types of natural lighting systems to achieve optimal results and avoid glare. It is also important to respect precise rules when it comes to the spacing of zenithal openings to avoid serious errors in the design of the roof.

Homeowners who choose to build a shed roof will be pleased to know that this type of structure is easy and inexpensive to construct. This is because the roof consists of only one sloped plane, which reduces labor costs. Nonetheless, it is essential to properly insulate the structure for maximum energy efficiency.

Shed roofs can be constructed using a variety of roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, metal, and slate. However, if you want to reduce your home’s carbon footprint and stay within a budget, you can opt for a corrugated polycarbonate shed roof. This type of material is highly sustainable, and it is available in different sheet sizes for maximum versatility. It can be easily installed with standard tools, and it does not corrode or radiate heat.