I was driving through a different area this morning and I noticed that alot of the houses were the same basic style except some had gable roofs and some had hip roofs.
What is the difference in cost – materials and labor – for one style over the other? If you start with the same size footprint is a hip roof cheaper than a gable roof?
The hip roof has more complex framing but does it use less lumber? It uses less siding but more shingles.
I was just wondering if cost is the major factor which is the cheapest? I personally don’t like the way hip roofs look but that is just my taste.
Thanks.
Replies
A hip roof may only use about 5% more shingles, mainly for the ridge caps. The framing is again about 5% more in lumber. A good framer can do a hip roof in the same time as a gable roof. So with a hip roof you save the gable walls and siding. A hip roof should cost slightly less than a gable roof. Also a hip roof is also the strongest roof in a storm.
Well, I'm thinking "style" has more effect than mere cost.
Certain styles of building are defined by their roofs. Hard to build a "Saltbox" with a hip roof. A Prarie Style house with a 12/12 gabled roof would not be very likely, either.
The "gray area" is in the "builder's ranch" house "style." Since it's not really a formal style, per se, it can have all sorts of major details (although a gambrel roof might be a bit unlikely).
To my mind, the major consideration for hipped roofs is the length of the hip rafters--which is one of my pet peeves with tract builders using canned plans with the current style of 9-12/12 pitched "circus tent' roofs. I've seen one too many crews out there scabbing together whatever they have to make 30' hip rafters.
"More expensive" is a question which is a bit of pandora's box, too. Which is more critical, the immediate construction cost, or the lifecycle cost. A 5/15 hipped roof foamed under the deck might be much cheaper over a lifecycle than a 10/12 gabled roof insulated only at the ceiling.
Given that level of complexity, I'm thinking that's why, more often, we go with what "looks best." But, that's opinion, and opinions differ.