The Most Popular Roofing Styles For Washington D.C. Homes

Whether you’re building an entirely new Washington D.C. home or upgrading an existing one you will always need to give the roof plenty of thought. If you’re building or upgrading a D.C. metro area house you also need to consider the historical character of the neighborhood and check to see if there are any restrictions on the type of roof that your home can have.

Aside from being your primary line of defense against the harsh elements the roof is your home’s crowning glory. It needs to look great and go well with your home’s overall design.

Roofs come in many different materials and design styles.  No matter which style or material you choose you should have your roof installed by professional licensed and insures contractors with proper residential roofing insurance coverage.

Let’s take a look at your roofing options and see which one will work best for your home.

Gable Roof

The most recognizable type of roof is probably the Gable roof, also referred to as a peaked or pitch roof.

A Gable roof is triangular, just like the ones many kids put on top whenever they draw a house. Its shape is functional as well as stylish. The slope allows rain and snow to slide off, which is why you’ll see so many Gable roofs on homes in the D.C. area.

Gable roofs are popular because they’re quite affordable, and building them is easier compared to other roof types. They’re also perfect for homeowners hoping for more ventilation or attic space.

Flat Roof

A Gable roof sheds water and snow quickly, but you could never say the same thing about a flat roof, which tends to collect rainwater because of its design.

Still, many homeowners or homebuyers in Washington D.C.  go for a flat roof because of the many things they can do to it.

It’s not uncommon for homes with flat roofs to have a rooftop garden or patio for entertaining. In an urban area flat roofs allow homeowners to squeeze in some extra outdoor space. Some even stow their HVAC systems on their flat roof, which is probably why many commercial and industrial buildings have this type of roof.

Gambrel Roof

A Gambrel roof is a symmetrical two-sided roof with each side having two slopes, with the upper slope placed at a shallow angle while the lower slope is steeper.

If you want additional habitable attic space, a Gambrel roof is perfect for that, as its structure allows a wider span. All you have to do then would be to add dormers, and you’ll have more usable space.

Pyramid Roof

A pyramid is, of course, a roof that is shaped like a pyramid, with four sides that slope downward and a pointy top.

Aside from houses, pyramid roofs are often installed on top of sheds, pool houses, gazebos, garages, and other small structures within a property.

Hip Roof

A popular roof type in the United States, a hip roof is quite recognizable with its four sides of equal length. They’re reminiscent of a pyramid roof, except hip roofs come together at the top to form a ridge, not a point.

If you’re living in an area where high winds and heavy snow are a regular occurrence, a hip roof would be a perfect choice because precipitation won’t have any problems sliding off it.

Mansard Roof

If a Gambrel roof and a hip roof had a child, it would probably look like the Mansard roof.

A Mansard roof has a distinctive appearance, with four sides and a double slope for each one.

The two slopes of each side of a Mansard roof, also known as a French roof, let you create more living or storage space underneath it.

Shed Roof

As far as simplicity of design is concerned, the shed roof is right up there with the Gable roof, but more architecturally appealing.

Also known as a skillion roof, a shed roof is made up of a single panel sloping at an angle with one side attached to a taller wall.

As with the Gable roof and other roof types with slopes, a shed roof sheds water and snow quite easily.

The simple design also makes a shed roof easier to install. And if you use solar panels, your shed roof is the perfect place for them.

There are many other roof types to choose from, but the ones listed above can get you started creating the Washington, D.C. home you’ve always wanted.

When choosing the type of roof that would work the best for your home and lifestyle you should always take the climate and your home’s architectural style into consideration your contractors insurance before settling on any given roof type. That way, you’ll have a roof that will look great and function perfectly for your home.