Roof Terms and Terminology

Additional Roof Shapes Gambrel A gabled roof that peaks at the ridgeline then falls away in a broad, low slope, breaks horizontally and changes to a steeper pitch. A gambrel roof has a broad upper story and side façade, and is often associated with barns. Saltbox A gabled roof with asymmetrical roof faces. This asymmetry produces one facade that is two stories high dropping to a single story or story and one half on the opposite side of the building. Mansard A hipped roof with two distinct roof pitches, low-sloped from the flat top or ridgeline then breaking to a steep pitch above the wall junction. Shed A gabled roof with a single roof face falling away from the main building. Shed roofs are often used for porches, additions, and raised-roof sections. Flat Actually its own roof type, flat roofs have no slope and may terminate with or without eaves. Hip A change in roof direction, where two planes meet at an angle to make a vertical ridge or fold (the opposite of a valley). Valley A change in roof direction, where two planes meet at the bottom of their pitch to make a valley with two steep slopes running up and away from it (the opposite of a hip).

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