The roof is the most essential part of your home. Whether you are building a new house or extension, creating a gazebo, replacing an old roof, or even just buying a new house, you’ll want to recognize and understand the differences between the various roof shapes. Different roof shapes have advantages and disadvantages; some are best suited for specific climates. Despite the numerous possibilities, there are two shapes that you can find on homes across the country: hip and gable roofs.
What are the differences in the never-ending battle for the best roof shape, hip vs. gable, and which is best?
Defining Gable Roof vs Hip Roof
Gable and hip roofs are among the most popular architectural styles, each with a rich history in design. Before getting into the details of each style, there is an important question: what is a hip roof vs a gable roof?
What is a Gable Roof?
Gable roofs have two sloping sides that meet at a central ridge, forming a triangular shape. They have been in use since the early 1500s, with most of the oldest buildings across the country featuring a gable roof. Their popularity remains, and between gable vs hip roof styles, gables are the more common option and offer popular variations, including:
Side Gable: A side gable roof is the simplest type, with the two sloping sides running parallel to the house’s walls.
Front Gable: In a front gable roof, the gable ends will face the front of the house.
Cross-Gable Roof: A cross-gable roof has multiple gable sections intersecting at right angles. It is a style popular for larger homes that have multiple wings.
What is a Hip Roof?
Hip, or hipped, roofs are a very traditional roofing style that has been in use since the later half of the 1600s, drawing inspiration from British architectural design. While many variations of hipped roofs exist, the basic design consists of a single horizontal ridge with four sloped sides, creating a gentle slope. Other variations of hipped roofs include:
Mansard: Mansard roofs are hipped roofs, where each side has two slopes. The first slope, which connects at the peak, is typically low-sloping, while the second is much steeper.
Hip-and-Valley: Hip-and-Valley roofs are combination-style roofs that incorporate valleys. Valleys are regions on a roof where two roof planes intersect and descend.
Pyramidal: Pyramid roofs are one of the simplest types of hip roofs. These roofs look like a pyramid, with the four sides meeting at a single point at the peak.
Comparing Gable vs Hip Roof Styles
With both styles defined, it's time to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each, which is where the more significant differences between gable roof vs. hip roof styles become clear. There are many different areas to consider, from how they handle weather to their overall design.
Weather Considerations
The roof is one of the most essential parts of a home’s design. Choosing the right roof for the climate is vital to ensure your safety and the longevity of the roof. Factors to consider when comparing gable vs hip roof designs include:
Wind Performance: Many areas of the country are prone to high winds, and between gable vs hip roofs, a hip roof is the better option. This is because hip roofs require less bracing, and they also don’t have a flat face for wind to catch on. The wind resistance of a hipped roof also offers added durability since there are no concerns about uplift.
Snow Performance: The shape of your roof can significantly impact how it handles snow. Gable vs hip roofs may have similar shapes, but hipped roofs typically have a lower pitch, making shedding snow difficult. As a result, gable roofs, which often have steeper pitches, are the better option for snowy areas. They are also better for rainy climates, as they will shed rain and debris more efficiently, ensuring no standing moisture on the roof can cause damage.
Design Considerations
If you live in a more moderate climate, where you will be safe with either roof shape, you may consider design factors more. Some of these design factors include:
Ease of Building: Another factor to consider when comparing hip vs gable roof shapes is how easily they are built, as it will also affect the cost and the project timeline. While some builders prefer gable roofs, hipped roofs are easier to build because all the walls are the same height, and there is no need for additional bracing, like you’d need with a gable roof.
Attic Space: If you’re all about maximizing space, there is no question about who wins in gable vs hip roof design. Gable roofs offer ample attic space, which can be used to create an additional bedroom. Hipped roofs don’t have this extra space.
Decoration: There is no debating beauty in regards to a hip-style roof vs a gable roof; both are beautiful options that pair well with various architectural styles. That is not to say there aren’t differences. Hipped roofs have less room for decoration than gabled roofs, which can have various decorations: gable brackets, pediments, etc.
Hip Roof vs Gable Roof Cost Considerations
Finally, the cost considerations of a hip roof vs gable roof are a major deciding factor. This includes hip vs gable roof insurance cost differences and the overall cost.
Installation Cost: The overall cost of hip roof vs gable roof styles depends on factors like the size of your home and the roofing material. The complexity of the roof design also plays a role in the cost of hip roof vs gable roof styles. Despite being easier to build, hip roofs can be more challenging to design and require more materials, resulting in higher costs.
Location and Design: Where you live can influence which roof style is best for your home. In areas prone to strong winds or hurricanes, hip roofs are often preferred because they handle these conditions better, which can also lower insurance costs. Gable roofs, while less expensive to build, may not perform as well in high-wind areas. The style of your home and your personal preferences also matter, as some homeowners prioritize a specific look over cost differences.
Insurance Benefits: Knowing the differences between hip vs gable roof insurance benefits is also essential. For example, some insurance companies will give homeowners who live in hurricane-prone areas discounts if they have a hipped roof, as it is more wind-resistant. Gable roofs, on the other hand, can have higher premiums.
Other Things To Consider
There are also other things to consider when comparing hipped roof vs gable roof styles.
Leak Issues: Hipped roofs may be more durable against wind, but they have more seams, which makes them more susceptible to leaks, especially if they aren’t installed correctly or well maintained.
Maintenance: As mentioned above, hipped roofs have more seams. They also require more materials. These two things mean that hipped roofs will require more maintenance between hip vs. gable roof options, which is another aspect to factor into the hip vs gable roof cost.
Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of your roof may not be something you consider, but even different roof styles have advantages and disadvantages in this regard. When comparing the impact of gable vs hip roof styles, you have to consider the amount of attic space and how much materials are necessary. Hipped roofs have less “dead” space that needs insulation, while gable roofs generally use fewer materials.
Adding Solar Panels
Solar panels can help you to balance your environmental impact in many ways and provide a cleaner, more sustainable energy source. Installing them on the roof is the best option, and for that, a gable roof is ideal as it provides more surface area.
Material Options: There is a lot to consider when comparing a hip roof vs gable roof, but roofing materials generally aren’t one of them. Both styles are compatible with virtually all materials, from classic asphalt shingles to more expensive natural slate. However, there are things to consider:
Materials like clay, slate, and concrete require extra structural support to prevent a roof collapse. This adds to the cost of already expensive materials and further increases the cost of hip roof vs gable roof styles.
Steeper-sloped gable roofs cannot have heavy materials like clay, concrete, or slate because the weight of the materials, combined with the steep slope, will result in them not being adequately supported and falling off the roof. Fortunately, composite roofing is a great alternative to get the look of these materials without the weight or cost issues.
A Hipped vs Gable Roof: Which Should You Choose?
Hipped and gable roofs are two of the most common and popular roof shapes, with numerous variations and combinations that make it possible to get the perfect roof for your home. However, making a choice can be challenging: hipped vs gable roof? The choice is something you have to make yourself, taking everything above into consideration.
What sort of protection do you want, wind or snow? Or do you live in a moderate climate where that isn’t your primary concern? What’s your budget? What does your insurance say about a hip-style roof vs a gable roof? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself. Fortunately, no matter what you choose, a wide selection of roofing materials is available to you.
Contact Brava to explore the materials available for your next roof project.
