Types of roofs
Updated
by Russell B.
You can sketch the following types of roofs in XactRemodel and XactRestore Studio: gable, flat or shed, hip, partial hip, Dutch hip, half hip, gambrel, barrel, turret, dormer, bay, and fan. Each roof type and a brief description are shown in the sections below.
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Gable and flat or shed roofs
Below are examples of gable and flat or shed roofs.
- Gable: A gable roof has two faces but not necessarily the same slope as a catslide forming a ridge at the highest point.
- Flat or shed: A flat or shed roof can be attached to a house or a stand-alone roof. A Shed Roof has a slope ranging from shallow to steep.
Hip roofs (including partial, Dutch, and half)
Below are examples of hip roofs.
- Hip: A hip roof has all sides of the roof sloping down towards the walls of the house.
- Partial hip: The partial hip roof looks like the hip roof on the two longest sides and has two shortened sides to create eaves with overhangs on each. It offers less attic space.
- Dutch hip: The Dutch hip roof is ideal for shedding rainwater and snow, but it also diminishes attic space. It has eaves on all sides which can provide shading over windows.
- Half hip: The half hip roof has the upper point of the gable, which is replaced by a small hip, squaring off the top of the gable. The lower edge of the half-hip may have a gutter which leads back to the remainder of the roof on one or both sides.
Gambrel, barrel, turret, and dormers
Below are examples of gambrel, barrel, turret, and dormer roofs.
- Gambrel: The gambrel roof, also known as the barn roof, has plenty of space that can be used for storage, an extra living space, or may include dormers for additional lighting. It has two sets of faces with different slopes. The gambrel roof was popular in Dutch Colonial architecture from the 1700s to the 1800s.
- Barrel: The Barrel roof has a curve constructed with a semi-cylindrical shape that was created by placing several arches side by side. This roof can be used for rectangular buildings spanning long distances or for decorative components combined with other roof types.
- Turret: The turret roof's purpose was originally used to defend a castle. However, the turret towers became a decorative addition to modern-day homes and buildings. Derived from the Italian word torretta, meaning small, rounded tower attached to a vertically larger building or wall.
- Dormer: A dormer roof is a structural extension that protrudes from a sloping roof, typically containing a window to add space, light, and ventilation to upper floors or attics.
Custom roofs (bay and fan)
Below are examples of custom (bay and fan) roofs.
- Bay: A bay roof is a type of roof that is typically three-sided, framed against a vertical wall of a building, and is designed to cover a projection such as a bay window or breakfast nook. This roofing style often consists of a series of angled roofs, creating a multi-faceted appearance that enhances visual interest and allows for better drainage and natural light. Bay roofs can vary in style, ranging from flat or low-slope roofs to steeply pitched and curved designs.
- Fan: A fan roof is defined as a type of architectural feature characterized by a design resembling a fan, where the roof consists of a series of rafters radiating outward from a central point.
