Welcome back to the IAS Learning Academy! As you recall, the goal of this portion of the newsletter is to improve building knowledge for our independent adjuster population. We are now three articles into our roofing systems series. So far we have discussed terminology and gable roofs. This month, we are highlighting the pros and cons of Hip Roofs.
Hip Roof:
A hip roof has slopes on all four sides.
The sides are all equal in length and come together at the top to form a ridge.
Pros:
- Hip roofs are more stable than gable roofs. The inward slope of all four sides is what makes it sturdier and more durable.
- They are excellent for both high wind and snowy areas. The slant of the roof allows snow to easily slide off with no standing water.
Hip roofs can offer extra living space with an addition of a dormer or a crow’s nest.
Note: For high wind areas, or strong storms, a pitch of 4/12-6/12 (18.5°-26.5° angle) is recommended.
Cons:
Hip roofs are more expensive to build than a gable roof. It’s a more complex design that requires more building materials. Also, with the addition of a dormer, additional seams can make it easier for the water leaks to form in the valleys, if a roofing system is not properly installed.
Note: Proper construction and maintenance is a must to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems.
Suggested materials: Hip roofs, like gable roofs, can be covered with almost any type of roofing material, such as shingles, metal, or tiles.
Simple Hip: The most common type of a hip roof. It has a polygon on two sides and a triangle on two sides. The sides come together at the top to form a simple ridge.
Cross Hipped: Similar to a cross gable roof. Use separate hip roofs on homes with different wings. The line where the two roofs meet is called a valley.
Note: Valleys can allow water to pool. Proper waterproofing is a must.
Half Hipped: A standard hip roof that has two sides shortened to create eaves.
