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That being said, architects can design hip roofs that have proper winter performance. This cold weather performance may explain why gable roofs are more popular than hip roofs in snowy areas. All roofs need to be built to code, but it may be more challenging to design a hip roof to your building code’s snow load standards. Although, some builders will still prefer gable roofs even though they are more challenging to build, as they are also less expensive.Īs they usually have a lower pitch than gable roofs, hip roofs may not be as good at shedding snow. All walls are the same height and there’s no need to put on the additional bracing a gable roof requires. If your home is already built, you can have a wind mitigation report completed to assess whether your home qualifies for the discount.įrom a builder’s perspective, hip roofs are easier to construct. It’s wise to confirm this discount with your insurance provider before you choose a hip roof. Usually, you can expect this discount in areas that experience hurricanes and high winds, such as Florida. As a result, hip roofs may be a better choice for you if your home faces high wind conditions.Īs hipped roofs have much better wind performance, some insurance companies give homeowners who live in areas that experience hurricanes a discount on their insurance for having a hip roof. They require less diagonal bracing than gable roofs and don’t have a flat face where wind can catch. When tested in a wind tunnel, roofs with four hips and a square footprint performed best. Research has confirmed that hip roofs deal with even extreme winds better than gable roofs. Hips roofs are a solid choice for high winds.
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Afterwards, we explore each of these advantages and disadvantages in detail. This chart shows you the major differences between hip roofs and gable roofs at a glance. These roofs styles may combine the advantages and disadvantages of both hip and gable roofs.
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It looks like an open gable roof at the very top but flares out into hips for the rest of the roof.
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We’ll explain what these roofs look like, their benefits and disadvantages, as well as other details that can help you make your decision.Ī hip roof is a roof where all four sides of the roof slope downwards from the peak. Whether your roof deals with high wind conditions.The kind of space you want in your attic.Which you should choose is a complicated question. A hip roof has four sloping sides, without a flat face.īoth hip roofs and gable roofs can be incorporated into modern and historical architectural styles.
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