Practicality Can Be Hip with a Cross Hipped Roof

With their sensible design and sturdiness, cross hipped (or hip) roofs continue to be one of the more popular roof styles. In addition to enhancing a home with clear lines and structured framing, cross hipped and hip roofs also serve as one of the safest styles for those living in hurricane regions or windy cities.

To see what a hipped roof looks like, just take a drive through your neighborhood and you're bound to find one on a ranch home or cottage. Typically used for L-shaped homes, they can also be constructed on a wide variety of house shapes and plans. A hipped roof is low-pitched, slopes down to the eaves, and has no vertical or flat sides. A cross hipped roof is identical, but has two parts that cross.

Cross Hipped Roof Benefits:

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• Safety: This roofing style provides effective protection from windstorms and hurricanes.
• Shade: The design and overhangs of the roof provide your home with ample shade, reducing the effects of sun exposure.
• Architectural appeal: By creating edges and slopes, hipped roofs accentuate the design of a horizontal house.

While hipped roofs are popular and provide added protection from the elements, there are a few downsides, including:

• Building challenges: These roofs are usually more difficult to construct than other basic roof styles.
• Expense: Due to the complexity of hipped roofs and the amount of materials needed for construction, hipped roofs generally have higher roof prices than other types. The added expense has to be factored into the cost of a new roof.
• Accessibility: Because there is less space inside the roof, it may be more difficult to access for maintenance.
• Ventilation: Compared to other roof styles, hipped roofs may not ventilate as efficiently.

You need to contact a roofing company or contractor to determine the price of a new roof. With a range of styles, sizes, and plans available, there is no "one size fits all" cost. Hipped roofs are just one of many roof styles, so be sure to research all your options and review the pros and cons with a roofing contractor to determine what's best for your home.