What Is a Hip Roof Plan and How Does It Work

A hip roof plan is a type of roof design that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It's characterized by four slopes that meet at the center of the building, forming a ridge.

This design provides excellent protection from the elements, as the four slopes work together to shed water and snow. The hips of the roof are the areas where the two slopes meet, and they're typically strengthened with additional support.

A hip roof plan is often used in modern architecture, particularly in homes with a rectangular shape. It's a popular choice for builders because it's relatively easy to construct and provides a clean, minimalist look.

For more insights, see: Roof Framing Plan for Shed

Hip roof plans come in many shapes and sizes, but there are some key types to know about. You'll often find a standard hip roof in rectangular houses, where four sides peak to form a ridge.

A pyramid hip roof is similar, but with four equal sides that peak at a single point, forming a pyramid shape. This style is great for square structures like gazebos or garden pavilions.

Here are the main types of hip roof plans:

Gable roofs are a type of hip roof, but they have a distinct characteristic - a gable end, which is a triangular section of wall that forms the end of the roof.

In the UK, this type of roof is known as a gablet roof, while in the US and Australasia, it's called a Dutch gable roof. This variation simplifies construction by eliminating the need for girder trusses.

Gable roofs have level walls and consistent eaves, just like other hip roofs. This design makes them a popular choice for many builders.

Consider reading: What Type of Roof Do I Have

A regular hip roof sits on a rectangular plan with four faces, featuring a symmetrical design with the same slope or slant on all sides.

One of the disadvantages of a regular hip roof is that it leaves very little area in the attic and is prone to leaks.

A cross-hip roof is a popular variant of the hip roof, laid out perpendicularly over L-shaped buildings, creating a unique design.

Cross-hip roofs are great for installing a gutter and provide protection from high winds, making them a popular choice in North America.

The standard hip roof type is the traditional hip roof, where four sides peak, forming a ridge, commonly found in rectangular houses.

The pyramid hip roof is also known as a square hip roof, with four equal sides that peak at a single point, forming a pyramid shape.

A hip and valley roof is a subtype of the hip roof, featuring a T or L-shaped house with each two roof sides meeting and projecting downwards, creating a valley.

The Dutch Gable hip roof has a gable, featuring two even planes forming a horizontal line or ridge at the top, offering a unique combination of hip and gable styles.

Here are the 5 types of hipped roofs:

Hip roofs can be constructed on a wide variety of plan shapes. Each ridge is central over the rectangle of the building below it.

The triangular faces of the roof are called the hip ends, and they are bounded by the hips themselves. The hips and hip rafters sit on an external corner of the building and rise to the ridge.

Here are some key elements of hip roof construction:

The roof pitch may vary, giving hip roofs a compact, solid appearance to a structure.

A mansard roof is a variation on a hip roof, with two different roof angles, the lower one much steeper than the upper.

This unique design allows for more space in the attic area, making it a popular choice for homeowners who need extra storage or living space.

The steep lower roof angle also creates a distinctive look that can add character to a building's exterior.

In fact, the mansard roof's design makes it a great option for buildings with limited space, as it allows for a larger roof area without adding extra height.

If this caught your attention, see: Roof Styles Mansard

Hip roofs can be constructed on a wide variety of plan shapes. Each ridge is central over the rectangle of the building below it.

The triangular faces of the roof are called the hip ends, and they are bounded by the hips themselves. The hips and hip rafters sit on an external corner of the building and rise to the ridge.

Hip roofs have the advantage of giving a compact, solid appearance to a structure. The roof pitch may vary.

A valley makes the join between the sloping surfaces where the building has an internal corner, and it's underlain by a valley rafter.

Here's a list of some key terms related to hip roof construction:

Hip roofs are more water-resistant than gable roofs due to their higher pitches, which cause rain and snow to slide down to the downspouts and gutters faster.

Gravity plays a significant role in how well a roof sheds water, with higher pitches being more effective at directing water away from the roof.

Gable roofs, on the other hand, are less water-resistant due to their lower pitches, making them more common in cold climates.

A unified cap on a hip roof provides excellent water-shedding capabilities, making them a great choice for homes.

Hip roofs have laterally braced trusses, which provides high support and stability to the roof.

Gable roofs, however, have trusses that are parallel to each other, leaving the gable end as the only brace against truss failure.

Additional reading: What Is Gabled Roof

A well-designed roof can make a big difference in how your home feels and functions. A hip roof is a great choice for directing wind away from the house.

The sloping sides of a hip roof help to deflect wind pressure, keeping your home more stable and secure. This can be especially important in areas with strong winds.

A hip roof is a popular choice for homes in windy areas, and for good reason. Its unique design helps to reduce the impact of wind on your home.

In areas with heavy snowfall, a hip roof can also be beneficial. Its sloping design allows snow to slide off easily, reducing the risk of heavy snow accumulation.

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The Triangle Time style of house design is a unique and eye-catching choice. This style is characterized by a multitude of beautiful triangular hip ends that face the front lawn of the house, as seen in the Triangle Time Hip Roof House.

The warm brown walls of a Triangle Time house offer a pleasing contrast to the cool silver-gray color of the hipped roofs, creating a visually appealing combination.

The straight lines and sharp angles of a Triangle Time house give it a modern and sleek look, perfect for those who want a contemporary feel.

The triangular hip ends of a Triangle Time house can be a great way to add visual interest to the exterior of the house, making it stand out from more traditional designs.

A hip roof plan offers many benefits. One of the biggest advantages is its self-bracing design, which requires less diagonal bracing than a gable roof, making it more resistant to wind damage.

Hip roofs are inherently more stable than gable roofs, with no large, flat, or slab-sided ends to catch wind. This stability makes them ideal for areas with high winds and hurricanes.

For a hurricane region, it's essential to have a steep-sloped roof, with at least 35 degrees from horizontal or steeper in slope. This slope helps prevent the roof from behaving like an airplane wing, creating lift on the leeward side.

A hip roof's sleek design offers enhanced curb appeal, making it a great choice for homeowners who want a visually appealing exterior. The smooth, sleek design is achieved by the roof's four sloping sides, which direct wind away from the structure.

The self-bracing design of hip roofs also creates a solid structure, giving them a longer lifespan. This is because the laterally braced trusses provide more trust in the structure's integrity.

Some concerns you might have about hip roofs are:

However, with proper installation and maintenance, hip roofs can become impressively durable.