When it comes to understanding your roof, there’s more to know than just its shape or color. How the roof is structured affects your home’s durability, maintenance, and even insurance rates. So today, we’ll explore hip roofs, a popular roofing style that many homeowners don’t know by name but might have over their own heads.
We’ll go over what a hip roof is, the various types, and why choosing this style can help you make smarter decisions, whether you’re thinking about home improvements, planning a budget, or looking to buy a new home.
What Does A Hip Roof Look Like?
So, what exactly is a hip roof? A hip roof (sometimes called a hipped roof) is a type of roofing system that has slopes on all four sides, meeting at a central ridgeline. All four sides are slanted and there are no vertical ends in this structure, which is common for traditional gable roofs.
This style gives homes a balanced, sturdy look, and hip roofs are well-regarded for their wind resistance and drainage. This is why you’ll commonly find them in areas with heavy rain, snow, or hurricanes.
Hip vs. Gable Roofs: What Is The Difference?
One question we often hear from homeowners is, how do hip roofs compare to gable roofs? Both styles are incredibly popular, with gable roofs being especially common due to their classic “A” shape and efficient construction. Homeowners frequently weigh the pros and cons of these two types because each offers unique advantages depending on your needs and climate.
The primary difference is in their structure. While a gable roof has two sloping sides that form a triangle shape with open vertical ends, a hip roof slopes down on all four sides, enclosing the roof completely. This makes hip roofs generally more stable in areas with high winds, as they don’t provide a flat exposed surface that easily catches and makes roof wind damage easier. Gable roofs, on the other hand, are known for their efficient drainage and simpler, cost-effective design, which is why they’re often seen in regions with less intense weather.
To know more about the differences, pros, and cons of each, you can view our full guide on hip vs. gable roofs!
What Are The Benefits Of A Hip Roof?
The unique style of hip roofs helps the system provide many advantages in terms of durability. Knowing about these benefits not only helps you if you are looking to buy a home with a hipped roof but if you need a new roof replacement and are considering a different design. Here are some of the advantages of this system:
Hip Roofs Offer Better Wind Resistance:
A hip roof is generally more stable than other types of roofs, especially when it comes to high winds. This has to do with its unique design where instead of flat walls catching the wind like a sail, all four sides of the roof slope down toward the walls. This reduces the roof’s wind exposure, which means less pressure on the structure and lower chances of damage during a storm.
Hip Roofs Are Viewed As More Stable By Insurance Companies
Insurance companies know that hip roofs are more wind-resistant, and in some cases, they even adjust rates for homeowners with hip roofs. So, aside from better protection for your home, you might find that a hip roof also positively impacts your insurance costs. This helps as hip roofs are generally more expensive. With this type of roofing structure overhead, you’ll have peace of mind during periods of extreme weather in Oklahoma.
Better Drainage And Snow Shedding
Another big advantage of a hip roof is its natural ability to shed water and snow. Thanks to the continuous slopes on each side, rain and snow naturally slide right off, helping to prevent the frustrating issues caused by water pooling and ice dam formation. Standing water is a common problem that leads to leaks, mold, and even structural damage over time.
With a hip roof, drainage happens quickly and efficiently, so you’re less likely to face water-related damage. Plus, this quick drainage helps prevent the buildup of debris, mold, and moss, which can sometimes be an issue on flatter, or more complex, hip roof designs. Having a roof that naturally handles water efficiently means you’ll likely spend less time and money on maintenance, which is a big bonus for most homeowners.
Helps With Curb Appeal
A roof plays a significant role in improving the curb appeal of your home. Hip roofs are known for their balanced, symmetrical appearance, and they lend a certain feeling of stability that many architectural styles aim for. From modern to traditional homes, the clean lines of a hip roof complement a variety of designs. Choosing the right shingle color also further improves the look of your home and makes it stand out from the rest.
Hip Roofs Offer Better Resale Value
Hip roofs are a good option, especially if you’re considering selling your home down the road. Many homebuyers find hip roofs appealing because they convey a sense of durability and low maintenance, which makes your home stand out in the market and increases the resale value.
All these benefits of a hip roof might not affect your day-to-day life, but they make a meaningful difference when it’s time to sell and when storms occur, giving your home a polished, well-maintained appearance that can make a strong impression on potential buyers.
Types Of Hip Roofs
Now let’s move to the second part of our article. Hip roofs not only have many advantages, but they come in different forms as well. In this section, we will look at some of the variations of a hip roof that you can find within your own community.
Simple Hip Roof
This is the basic hip roof design that we’ve covered throughout the article. This has four sloping sides that meet at a ridge, which is the highest point of a roof. It’s essentially a classic version of the hip roof with symmetrical sides.
A basic hip roof is simpler to build, and relatively less expensive than other types.
Cross-Hipped Roof
If you can imagine two hip roofs that intersect at right angles, that is a cross-hip roof. This type of roof design is often used for larger homes or for structures with more complex layouts, such as an L-shaped home.
One of the benefits of a cross-hipped roof is that it provides extra durability along the roof’s intersections, and has a visually interesting design that can increase curb appeal.
Pyramid Hip Roof
While the basic hip roof has four sloping sides that meet at a ridge, a pyramid hip roof is a variation where the four triangular sides meet at a single point at the top, forming a pyramid-like shape.
These are pretty common on structures like gazebos or sheds but can be used on homes as well. Unlike regular hip roofs, this is more suitable for smaller structures or homes with a compact, square layout.
Half-Hipped Roof
A half-hipped roof is essentially a hybrid between a hip roof and a gable roof. It has short, hipped ends on two sides of a home, with longer, sloped sections on either side. This system is also known as jerkinhead or clipped gable roof.
Mansard Roof
A mansard roof is a distinctive architectural roofing style characterized by its four sloped sides, with each side having two different slopes. While classified as its own style, it’s considered a type of hip roof.
The upper slope is typically less steep, while the lower slope is steeper, creating a unique design that allows for a spacious upper level, often creating additional living or storage space that can be finished for use, such as an attic or a loft. The design also allows for the incorporation of dormer windows.
Worried About Installing A New Roof? We Can Help!
Now you’ve got a solid understanding of hip roofs, you can begin making a choice on the type of roof you want for your home. Regardless of style, you want a professional to handle the job to ensure durability and a seamless appearance.
If you need any help, our team at A. Fricker Roofing and Waterproofing is ready to offer our services. As a roof installation company with experience in all types of roof structures, we’re here to answer questions or provide expert assistance whenever you need it. Contact us today at (918) 402-7167 to get started on your roofing project.
