Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Can anyone explain the appeal of having a roof with multiple gables on the front side and hips on the back? I have been seeing a lot of new houses, even single stories, with big steep roofs that are gabled on the front and have hip roofs at the back. Personally I think they look a little strange from the side.
Sounds like you’re referring to “American vernacular architecture”; though your definition of hips may be off a little.
There are some “official” definitions, but I liken it to “a mix of several different architectural styles”. That mix, markets to several different “appeals”/tastes- a win for national tract home builders- which is where you’re more likely to see it.
Both types of roofs have their advantages and disadvantages, as minor as they might be, however the front gables were designed for architectural appeal while have a hip in the rear of the house is a slight advantage from a practical standpoint.
Both types of roofs have their advantages and disadvantages, as minor as they might be, however the front gables were designed for architectural appeal while have a hip in the rear of the house is a slight advantage from a practical standpoint.
Slight advantage? Other than being 'boring', the only disadvantage I see is limited space close to the exterior walls if you need to be in the attic working.
If you're referring to the first pic...(see below)
The "main body" of the house is a rectangle- and the ends of that rectangle are hipped (as opposed to being gabled ends). But, off the front of that main body there is a double bump-out and they are finished with gable roofs. To say "the back is hipped" would be an incorrect term. The "back", would be the rear elevation.
So, as I stated in my previous post- a mixture of several styles falls under that "American Vernacular" definition/style. Hips are also more material, more labor, more expensive!
That image is not the style I am talking about. That picture was only posted to show that I was aware of what constitutes a gable roof and a hip roof. I posted it because you implied that I didn't really understand what a hip roof was.
These pictures show what I was talking about on a house.
My house is U-shaped with a flat roof filling in the U. I have three gable ends and one hip. It was framed with scrap lumber (since completely re-framed). I have no explanation as to why one corner is a hip roof. It’s what the home hacker who built the thing 75 years ago felt like doing that day.
Slight advantage? Other than being 'boring', the only disadvantage I see is limited space close to the exterior walls if you need to be in the attic working.
In the days before ridge vents, I imagine a hip roof was harder to ventilate. In my zip code, if you don’t have a cold roof in the winter, you have ice dam problems.
That image is not the style I am talking about. That picture was only posted to show that I was aware of what constitutes a gable roof and a hip roof. I posted it because you implied that I didn't really understand what a hip roof was.
These pictures show what I was talking about on a house.
Now I’m understanding your question!
Without a photo of the rear of the house, I’m thinking the back side of the dormers ended up without gables since the hip portion had to match up and continue with the same pitch as the roof in the rear of the house.
A gable at the rear of the dormers would not have worked, it’s a matter of blending in the different types of roofs used which is determined by the shape and configuration of the walls.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
