Key Takeaways:
- Thanks to our long history, Massachusetts boasts homes with both classic and modern roof styles.
- Each roof style has pros and cons.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a roof style, including weather, house layout, and personal taste.
Living in Massachusetts means enjoying the blend of sleek, modern buildings alongside historic homes that have stood for centuries.
Choosing the right roof style is essential, whether you’re moving to a classic New England home with colonial features or planning to build a new home from scratch. Flynn Roofing breaks down your options and offers tips on how to choose.
Roofing Terms
A few terms to know before we describe different roofing styles:
- Ridge: The ridge is the
- Hip: The angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes that runs from the ridge to the eaves.
- Dormer: A framed window unit that extends through the sloping surface of a roof.
- Shingles: The outermost layer of your roof.
- Valleys: The angle formed on the inside where two sloping roof planes meet.
- Pitch/slope: Indicates the steepness of a roof, expressed as a ratio of vertical to horizontal distance. For example, a 6:12 pitch or slope rises six inches for every 12 horizontal inches.
- Gable: The triangular area where two ridges meet.
Traditional Roofs: New England Charm
These roofs showcase architectural styles from the time when Massachusetts was still a British colony. Made to combine practicality with aesthetics, they can be found throughout New England.
Federal Roof:
Like the Federal-style homes they cover, these roofs are known for their symmetry and clean lines, often including shallow gables or hipped designs. This design was especially popular in the late 1700s.
Queen Anne Roof:
Designed to express creativity, these complex roofs often feature many steep gables and hipped sections. They may even have towers and ornate trim to add to the charm.
Gambrel Roof:
A double-slope design that maximizes storage space or additional living areas. These were especially popular in early colonial barn designs.
Mansard Roof:
Named after the French architect François Mansart, it’s a four-sided roof with double slopes on each side. The lower slope is steeper than the upper slope to create additional living space.
Cape Cod Roof:
Nothing says “Massachusetts” like a Cape Cod roof. This design features steeply pitched gables to efficiently shed heavy snow and rain.
Saltbox Roof:
These asymmetrical roofs were built in the early colonial days for practicality: they were easy to expand, provided ample storage space, and shed snow and rain quickly.
Modern Roofs: Sleek & Contemporary
Massachusetts isn’t just a former colony and birthplace of a revolution. It’s also a modern, bustling area known for new architecture and energy-efficient designs.
Flat Roof:
Flat roofs provide a modern look for new homes and have a slight pitch for water drainage. They create additional living spaces, like rooftop gardens, and are easier to inspect and maintain than sloped roofs.
Hip-and-Valley:
The hip-and-valley roof combines hips and gables to create a unique geometric profile. It offers stability, weather resistance, and effective water runoff.
Shed Roof:
The minimalism of a shed roof comes from its single sloping plane. This provides excellent, efficient water and snow drainage. It’s also cost-effective, thanks to its easy construction.
Butterfly Roof:
Also known as a V-roof, this design features two inward-sloping gables that resemble butterfly wings. It allows for larger windows and more natural light, making it a popular choice for eco-friendly and contemporary homes.
Clerestory Roof:
A clerestory roof has high windows below the roofline, allowing natural light in while maintaining privacy. This design reduces the need for artificial lighting and improves ventilation.
Curved Roof:
A curved roof can have either a single or double curve. This type of roof is not only visually appealing but also highly functional thanks to its outstanding wind resistance.
Which Roofing Style is Right For You?
There is no single right answer for which roofing style is right for you. Instead, consider:
- The size and layout of your home
- Your town’s regulations
- Whether your home is registered as historic
- Regular weather conditions
- Your personal taste and style
A qualified, experienced roofer can help you carefully consider each roof style to determine which best suits your needs.
FAQ: Home Roofing Styles
Q: How do I know whether I need a new roof or just a repair?
A: A qualified roofer can assess whether your roof needs repairs or a complete replacement. Factors to be considered include:
- The age of your roof
- The current condition of your roof
- How long you plan to stay in your home
- Previous or existing issues with your roofing system
Q: Will a new roof increase my home’s ROI?
A: The return on investment (ROI) for a new roof falls anywhere between 60-85%.
Q: Which roofing style is best for Massachusetts winters?
A: Durability and proper drainage should be top concerns when choosing a roof style in Massachusetts. Roofs with steeper slopes shed rain and snow more efficiently.
Q: How often should I have my roof professionally inspected?
A: We recommend having your roof professionally inspected at least once every two years.
Q: How do I find a qualified, trustworthy roofer?
A: Look for a roofer that’s insured and licensed. They should offer guarantees on the materials they use and the work they do. You can also ask your neighbors for recommendations. Flynn Roofing has a complete list of questions to ask before hiring a roofer.
Residential Roofing Services in Massachusetts
Whatever style of roof you have, Flynn Roofing can maintain or repair it. We can also work with you to design a whole new roof! As part of our commitment to customer service, we offer emergency roofing repairs and inspections so you don’t have to live under a broken roof.
Homeowners in Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, or Suffolk Counties can get a free, no-obligation estimate on roofing repairs or replacements by contacting us today.