While the average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is between 15 and 40 years, some roofs may need to be updated sooner rather than later. If you’re in the market for a new roof, you may be interested in a hip roof. Hip roofs are typically found in suburban neighborhoods. Thanks to their style and stability, they're easy to build, and anyone can decide to install one on their home.
In this guide, we’ll detail the basics about hip roofs, including their advantages and disadvantages, and how to know if this style is right for your home.
Key takeaways: hip roofs
Hip roofs are a type of roof with four sloping sides that reach up to connect to a peak or ridge. Gable roofs have two steep sloping sides that connect to a peak.
Hip roofs are more expensive than others since they require more materials for construction and come with stable features.
Hip roofs offer more protection from intense storms and high winds because their lower slopes distribute weight across the roof.
If you live in certain areas, you can get an insurance discount by installing a hip roof.
What is a hip roof?
A hip roof is a style of roof with four inward-sloping sides connecting to a top peak or ridge. You can install several variations of hip roofs on your home to support your preferred exterior aesthetic. Compared to gable roofs, the sides of hip roofs don’t have a slope as high. Their slope is more subtle and lower.
Variations of hip roofs
Though hip roofs all have the same construction (sloping sides connecting to a top point), several variations exist.
Here are the four common hip roof variations to note:
Mansard: This variation has two slopes, a steeper lower slope and a subtle top slope.
Pyramid: This variation looks as it sounds: a top peak with four connected sides sloping up to connect to the peak, forming a pyramid look.
Combination: A combination hip roof combines the mansard and pyramid, but the bottom flares out on the combined version instead of forming a steep slope.
Hip & valley: If your home has an extended side, a hip and valley will be the best variation for you. This version has two roof planes that meet together and slope downward. The roof plane of your extension reaches your other plane, and both slope down.
Dutch gable: This type of hip roof combines the best gable and hip roofs by having a small gable roof on top of a hip roof.
Hip roofs vs. gable roofs
Gable roofs are another type of roof with two sides that slope upward to form a triangle. Like hip roofs, the sides of hip roofs reach up to a peak, but the main difference is that gable roofs only have two sides. The ends that form the triangular pitch are made of siding or other house materials instead of roofing.
Hip vs. gable roof: pros and cons
Hip and gable roofs are popular choices among homeowners looking to update their roofs, so it’s important to know the pros and cons of each so you can choose the best option for your home and preferences.
Pros and cons of hip roofs
Pros
- + Potential insurance discount: Because hip roofs hold up to high winds like hurricanes, you can get an insurance discount by installing a hip roof on your house since it prevents structural damage.
- + Stability: Hip roofs have impeccable stability because their sloping construction distributes weight evenly. This sloping creates wind resistance, allowing the roof to hold up to strong storms.
- + Curb appeal: Hip roofs enhance your home’s curb appeal from their elegant design, complementing your home’s overall exterior look.
Cons
- - Higher expense: Hip roofs cost more than gable roofs because they require extra materials in their specific construction.
- - Not helpful with snow: Because of the slant hip roofs have – that are not as steep as gable roofs – they aren’t as effective at shedding snow.
- - Less attic space: The diagonal bracing hip roofs require their sloping cuts into attic space, cutting down on the available storage space.
Pros and cons of gable roofs
Pros
- + Ease of installation: Gable roofs are simple in design and construction, which makes them easy to install. Their ease of installation helps cut down on overall expenses.
- + Cheaper expense: Gable roofs are cheaper because they use less material than hip roofs, which is one of the reasons they’re so popular.
- + Good drainage: Because of their steep slope, gable roofs are great for shedding water and snow instead of letting the elements build up.
Cons
- - More susceptible to wind damage: Gable roofs are flat and steep compared to hip roofs, making them more susceptible to damage from storms and high winds.
- - Repairs: Gable roofs require more frequent repairs because storms easily damage them.
- - Smaller living space: A gable roof does not allow you to turn your attic into extra living space because of the incredibly sloped ceilings it creates.
Hip roof examples
Hip roofs: the bottom line
Deciding on the roof that benefits your house depends on several factors. Not only is budget an important consideration, but the function and purpose of roof types also have a major say in whether a roof is right for your house. Since hip roofs provide the strength that homes in tropical regions need to withstand the force of high wind storms, they are more suited for homes in hurricane areas. However, if you are looking for a roof type that adds dramatic flair to your exterior’s look, you might like the dimension some of the variations of hip roofs give your home.
If you’re okay with the higher expense of this roof type and the condensed attic space, a hip roof could be the perfect upgrade for your home because it offers other benefits, like increased stability and aesthetic appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Hip roofs are a type of roof with four sides that all slope downwards from the top peak or ridge line and do not have a gable. They differ from gable roofs, which have two triangular-shaped sides that slope down from the peak and have flat ends.
Though hip roofs have advantages like incredible sturdiness, aesthetic appeal, and flexibility with gutters, they also have disadvantages. A hip roof's downfalls include the higher cost for its complex design, increased risk of leaks, and lack of snow shedding from the lower pitch.
Hip roofs provide several advantages to your home, like increased sturdiness. The four-sloping side design helps distribute weight evenly and ensures all sides are self-bracing. This is incredibly beneficial for houses in areas like Florida prone to experiencing hurricanes or strong wind storms since hip roofs help decrease storm damage. Other benefits of hip roofs include their aesthetic appeal. Many homeowners like the consistency on all sides of hip roofs, which leads to the other benefit of flexibility in gutters. With hip roofs, you can have gutters on all sides, and they’ll be high-performing with ease of shedding on the inward slopes.
Hip roofs are more expensive than other types of roofs because of the extra materials required to construct the design. They also come with higher labor costs when installed on your home since they require precision in ensuring the slopes' seams are attached perfectly.