Most homes have either a gable roof or a hip roof. A gable roof has two sloped sides, while a hip roof has four sloped sides. There are, however, other styles of roofing to consider for your new home. One option you may want to explore is a Dutch roof, which is a combination of the gable and hip roof styles. It is a gable roof placed on top of a hip roof. Here are the key pros and cons that come with a Dutch roof.
Pro: Your roof has a lot of detail
When designing a home, you often want to choose one element that you really make stand out. Usually, homeowners do not make the roof their focal point because most roof styles are relatively plain. Dutch roofs, with their multiple slopes, are more interesting to look at than the average roof. Choose this type of roof, and you can make the roof the focus of your home.
Con: The materials will cost more
The materials to cover a Dutch roof will cost more than the materials required for a gable or hip roof, so your upfront cost will be higher. Plus, you will pay more every time you replace the roof going forward. If this will be your forever home, then this is something to consider as roof replacements are expensive.
Pro: Your attic will get plenty of ventilation
There is the potential to put plenty of roof vents in the area where the hip and gable portions of a Dutch roof come together. This means your attic will be well-vented, which comes with a number of benefits. A cooler attic means lower summer AC costs. It also means fewer ice dams in the winter, which leads to better roof health in the long term.
Con: Not all roofers install this style
If you decide to go with a gable or hip roof on your new home, you can likely have almost any local roofing company install it. But not all roofers will install a new Dutch roof. You may only have a few companies to choose from.
If you want a really well-vented attic and a roof that calls attention to itself, a Dutch roof can be a good choice. Just know that the costs may be higher, and not all roofing companies offer this style. Contact a roofing company near you today to learn more.
When you have something you like inside a jar, you probably put a lid on it — right? In a way, you can think of your house in the same manner. You like and value the items inside, along with the inside of the house itself. So, it only makes sense that you would protect the interior of your home with a lid. That lid is your roof.
Keep that perspective in mind as you read this blog. Learning more about roofing will feel more interesting if you remember what a roof does: it protects the inside of the home and the people who live in it.