Home | Our Blog | Hip Roofs: Pros, Cons and Buying Guide
Reviewed by Tomas Kalkys. President.
Qualifications: More than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial exterior remodeling.
Founding farther of Legacy Service.
Written by LegacyUSA Team
posted on Nov 17, 2020
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While they may be stylish, hip roofs aren’t named because they’re the latest in roofing fashion. They’re named for the design in which the roof is constructed, which includes slopes on all four sides that converge at the top to form a ridge.
But they are also pretty hip! In fact, hip roofing is an incredibly popular architectural roofing style in the United States due to its proven durability and modern design. The slant of the roof allows rain and snow to easily slide off while reducing the potential for wind damage, so they’re the perfect choice for homeowners who live in areas prone to extreme winds and high levels of snowfall.
Not a real zip code.
In this article, we’re going to provide you with all you know to know about hipped roofs. We’ll discuss what they are, the advantages and disadvantages, the construction of a hip roof, types of designs, and answers to the most frequently asked questions. This will help you decide whether you’d like to build a hip roof or another type for your house.
At Legacy Service, we offer installation and replacement services for homeowners throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Contact us today if you’re looking to upgrade your home. To learn more about hip roofs, continue reading.
A hip roof refers to the way the roof is constructed rather than the material that’s used to build it. The type of roof has slopes on all four sides that combine at the top to form a point. This makes it easy for condensation to slide off during rain, snow, and thunderstorms, and it also helps protect your home against heavy winds.
If you’re in the process of building a roof for your new home, you’ll usually need to choose between a hip roof and a gable roof. The difference between them is that a hip roof is defined by having four sides while a gable roof is defined by having two sides. While gable roofs have two sides or peaks that slope downwards toward your home, hip roofs have a style where all the sides will slope downward over the walls of your house.
So, what is the hip on a roof?
The “hip” is where one section of the roof meets the other. This style is ideal for snowy and windy environments since the slant allows snow to easily slide off, which prevents standing water that might otherwise cause the roof to collapse.
Hip roofing designs are popular among homeowners throughout the entire United States, but they’re most ideal for windy and snowy environments. The framing design offers unmatched structural durability. The inward slope of all four sides is the reason why this type of roof is so durable and sturdy, with a slant that allows snow and water to easily slide off.
Keep in mind: To protect against high winds or strong storms, the recommended pitch for a hipped roof is 4/12-6/12 (18.5°-26.5° angle).
If you’re interested in installing a hipped roof on your home, get in touch with us today to see what our team can do for you. We provide roofing installation and replacement services for homeowners throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. We’ll send out a technician who can provide you with a free consultation that will help you decide whether you want asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or another type altogether for your new roof.
In the next sections, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of the hip roof shape. This will help you decide whether you’d like to continue with the process or select another shape for your house, like gable.
Why should you choose a hip roof for your house? Let’s take a look at the advantages of this architectural style:
Why do some homeowners decide to forego a hip roof? The disadvantages of hip roof types include:
Although a hip roof is one of the simplest roof types to build, we wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself unless you have some kind of experience, know exactly what you’re doing, and have a buddy or two to help you out. Constructing a hip roof is typically done by a team of professionals who have years of experience in their industry.
It’s no surprise that proper construction and maintenance are necessary to help prevent minor issues that may eventually turn into larger problems. As you can see, hip roofs have more seams than gable roofs, which makes it easier for leaks to form if the roof isn’t installed properly. But if it is done the right way, hip roofs are much more durable and can last longer than gable roofs, sometimes lasting up to five decades or more.
In the next section, we’re going to discuss the building process, from framing a hip roof to adding the shingles at the end. Remember that if you’re in need of a roof replacement or installation, you can always contact our team at Legacy Service for a free estimate.
If you’re considering building a hip roof for your house, you’d probably like to know how it’s done. And if you’re experienced and willing to give it a shot, you may even want to build it yourself. Either way, check out our step-by-step guide for installing hip roofs:
Not a real zip code.
What does a hip roof look like?
Since there are a variety of designs, hip roofs can take a number of appearances. Some of the most popular designs include:
If you’re considering house plans with hip roofs, then you probably have a few questions. In this section, we’ll discuss the ones that people most frequently ask our experts before or during the roof installation process.
At Legacy Service, we offer a number of services to improve and upgrade your home’s exterior. From roofing installation to siding replacement, our team can take care of it for you! Just let us know what you need.
Here are the most frequently asked questions for hip roofing:
Hip roofs have a number of advantages. Since they have four slopes that combine at the top to form a ridge, they tend to be much more stable than other types of roofs, including gable, which only has two slopes. For example: the slopes on hip roofs lessen the effects of high winds since the wind has to go up and over the roof. Also, they allow snow and other types of precipitation to run off much more easily.
Hip roofs also allow you to customize your home’s appearance. It gives homeowners the opportunity to add premium design elements (like vaulted ceilings) or options for more room or storage space (like dormers or a crow’s nest). They also tend to have consistent fascia on all sides, so you can install gutters fairly easily. Wraparound gutters help shield siding from water damage and protect your property from flooding.
Hip roofs tend to be more expensive than gable roofs. Costs may differ depending on the size of your roof, the material that’s used, and also the slope and pitch, but they typically average anywhere between $20,000 to $50,000. Homeowners can expect to pay about $8 to $12 per square foot for installation on a standard-size single-story house.
Hip roofs are more expensive to build than gable roofs because they have a more complex design that requires more building materials that includes a system of trusses or rafters. However, you may be able to save some money when it comes to framing a hip roof because it’s simpler since the exterior walls are all the same height. Hip roofs may also last longer due to the fact that they’re more durable, which could also help you save money in the long-run.
If you’re still considering getting a hip roof, get started by contacting our team at Legacy Service. We provide installation and replacement services for homeowners throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. We’ll send out a technician who will answer any of your questions and provide you with a free estimate.
The definition of a hip roof is a roof that slopes upward from all sides of a building. The hip is the outside angle where the adjacent sloping sides of the roof meet. Hip roofs mainly differ from gable roofs because they typically have four sides rather than two. There’s also a contrast in the overall design and functionality of the roof.
Since the design of the gable roofs and hip roofs differ, the pros and cons do as well. For example: hip roofs tend to be more stable than gable roofs because of their structure. They’re also better for wind resistance and precipitation runoff. However, they tend to be more expensive than gable roofs. It’s up to you to decide which one you’d prefer for your home.
Hip roofs are designed to support themselves. They’re self-bracing, so they require less diagonal bracing than gable roofs. Their four sloping sides provide them with superior stability and sturdiness. These characteristics allow hip roofs to be more resistant to wind damage than other types of roofs, like gable. The slant of the sides also allows snow, ice, and rain to slide off easily, which is ideal for hurricane-prone areas.
Remember that a hip roof will be more expensive to build than a gable roof, but it may save you money in the long run since it’s designed to be more durable and last longer.
In many cases, hip roofs will need ceiling joists to help support the structure. However, there are cases when you can build one without using them. For example: square hip roofs typically won’t require ceiling joists. It’s always best to hire a roofing professional who will be able to tell for sure, though. They can answer any questions you have and let you know what would work best for your home. At Legacy Service, we provide roofing installation and replacement services to people throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and northern Delaware. Contact us to schedule a free estimate.
Fortunately, hip roofs provide you with the opportunity for vaulted ceilings in your home. Many people ask for vaulted ceilings in the master bedroom because it opens up the room and makes it feel like a bigger space.
This architectural design is more complex than a typical hip roof, but many homeowners are happy with the final result. Some roofing companies may not be able to build a vaulted ceiling with your hip roof, so you might want to keep looking until you find one that will.
Hip roofs are one of the strongest types of roofing structures simply because of the way they’re designed. Their four sloping sides make them more stable and durable than standard gable roofs, because they’re more resistant to high winds and heavy rain/snow.
Not only are they strong, but if you choose to add a dormer or crow’s nest, these roofs can provide you with more room or storage space. They’re also energy-efficient because the four sides of the roof shelter your home from excessive cold or heat.
You’re still here? What are you waiting for? Now is the best time to get started on building your new roof!
At Legacy Service, we provide a variety of services for residential exteriors. From roofing installation to siding and windows replacement, we can do it all. Once the structure of your home has been built, we can install the material of your choice on your new roof as well as your siding, windows, doors, and gutters of your choice.
Give us a call today for a free estimate involving roofing, siding, windows, or doors. We’re here to turn your dream home into a reality!
Posted on Nov 17, 2020 in Roof
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