Which roofing type is best for you?

Hipped roof

A hipped roof profile is shaped like a pyramid or a tent. Depending on the layout and size of the house, four or more sloping planes – usually with identical pitches – meet at the roof peak. A hipped roof can also be shaped like a rectangle where the opposite planes on the long side of the house connect along the roof ridge. Because its planes cover all walls of the house, a hipped roof has a natural stability that withstands extreme weather conditions like strong wind and heavy rain. Other features include:

• Aesthetic – hipped roofs resemble the Mediterranean architectural style and give the house a symmetrical shape.
• Drainage – the slope on all sides of the roof supports the drainage of rainwater, reducing the likelihood of plugging and associated damage.
• Energy efficiency – its shallow pitch offers good insulation: the separation of the inner roof surface and the living space keeps it warm in winter and cool in summer, reducing energy costs.

Gabled roof

A ‘pitched’ or ‘gabled’ roof consists of two usually uniform planes that connect at the roof’s ridge. With its simple and cost-effective construction method, it’s one of the most popular roof shapes. Other benefits include:

• Attic space – a gabled roof can become a spacious attic for additional storage or living space.
• Design options – gabled roofs can be traditional, modern or contemporary in design and the angle of the planes can be varied to fit personal preferences or withstand specific weather conditions.
• Solar panels – gabled roofs are perfect for installing solar panels, offering a large space and adequate sun exposure.

Flat Roof

A flat roof is one of the most common roof types in Australia. Despite its name, a flat roof has to be slightly angled to ensure water runoff. It’s cost-efficient, easy to install and easily accessible for checkups and repairs. It has more beneficial features like:

• Unrestricted living space – there are no pitched roofs, so the living space under the roof can be used optimally.
• Energy efficiency – because of the ease of installing insulating roofing materials and other energy-efficient building systems, flat roofs can be designed to be very energy efficient.
• Use of roof space – flat roofs can be utilised for various purposes such as rooftop gardens, outdoor living areas, or solar panels.

Skillion roof

Similar to flat roofs, skillion roofs consist of a single plane but at a higher pitch (angle) than a flat roof. Skillions are often used in conjunction with other roofing types, for example in split-level houses where opposite levels and roofs don’t meet on the same height. Apart from its flexibility of  installation, skillion roofs have several benefits:

• Flexible in design – You can decide on different roofing materials and flexibly design it to suit your taste.
• Ease of construction – Skillion roofs are generally simple and cost-effective to construct.
• Lighting and ventilation – The steep angle of a skillion roof allows for large windows or clerestory openings.

Butterfly roof

A butterfly roof looks like a pitched roof turned upside down. The sloping roof planes connect at the box gutter – the lowest point of the roof structure. The gutter therefore contains the drainage system, which is often a weak point of the roof and requires regular maintenance. However, the butterfly roof has other advantages:

• Aesthetic – Butterfly roofs have a modern and interesting appearance from both outside and inside.
• Lighting – The living space benefits from good lighting because of the reversed slope of the roof.

In most cases, two or more of these roof types can be combined to form a roof that is tailored precisely to your wishes. At Parrish Group, our roofing professionals have been designing, supplying and installing quality roofing solutions for Shoalhaven’s commercial, government and residential customers for almost two decades.

Get in touch today and discuss your roofing needs with us!