If you’re building or buying a home, the roof is one of the most important areas to consider. A well-constructed roof keeps out the rain, sun, and debris from nature and helps keep your home climate controlled.
In your research, you may have heard of hip roofs. But what is a hip roof and why should you think about choosing one?
What is a Hip Roof?
Simply, a hip roof is designed to have all four sides that all slope down. They are the same length and meet at the height of the roof. Two of the sides are triangles and the other two are trapezoids.
Besides gable roofs, it is probably the most common residential kind of roof. They are often compared to each other but are built for different purposes.
Pros of a Hip Roof
Hip roofs have several good features that would entice any home-builder. If it’s in your budget you should almost always go for one.
The main draw of a hipped roof is the stability. Because of its relatively shallow sloping design the roof offers less wind resistance than a gable roof. Homes in areas with many wind storms are better off with hip designs.
These roofs also reduce the risks of leaks because there are no places for water to settle. Rain easily slides right off of a hip roof. Snow also has difficulty sticking for the same reason.
Because of the increased security during harsh weather hip roofs also help reduce homeowners insurance. States which are in constant danger from wind events may offer insurance credits for hipped-type roofs because of how well they fare during hurricanes.
Hip roofs also allow for the addition of dormers. Dormers can add extra usable space to your house and can allow for the use of the attic as a roof. The dormers built on hip roofs are also built to help mitigate wind damage.
Hip roofs are sturdy, wind resistant, and aesthetically pleasing. Because of these advantages, hip roofs are practical and desirable in any state or climate.
Cons of a Hip Roof
While there are many good reasons to consider a hip roof, not everything is perfect. There are some drawbacks to having this type of roof built on your home.
The biggest issue many people have with hip roofs is the cost. Because of the structure, the construction is relatively difficult.
Hip roofs need more material to build than some other roof shapes. They also need specific structural supports built to give it the stability that sets it apart. More material means more cost to the builder.
While they resist leaks from water pooling on its surface, hip roof framing opens itself up to other leaks. Because of the number of seams in the construction, there are more places for water to get in eventually.
Decide for Yourself
If you want to have a hip roof on your home, contact us. We can install your roof, gutters, and windows. And if a storm manages to damage your roof, we also handle repairs and insurance claims.