The roof is one part of the exterior of the home that hugely impacts the visual appeal. Selecting the right roof style is an important decision, whether it’s for new construction or replacing the old roof. All roofs have their distinct features, different costs, pros and cons, and many more. Among multiple roofing choices, the hip roof and gable roof are commonly preferred styles by homeowners. This blog primarily highlights the key difference between a hip and a gable roof, their features, and the cost.
What is a Hip Roof?
The hip roof has a ridge at the top, and all four sides of the roof slope down, extending a uniform look to the house. All four slopes are of equal length and pitch, so there’s no vertical end or flat face. The design of the hip roof is such that it can resist the strongest wind with ease, and this is the reason that it is highly preferred in areas prone to hurricanes or strong winds.
Different Types of Hip Roofs
Here are the various hip roof types:
Pyramid Roof- This roof has four sloped roofs meeting at a single point.
Simple Roof- The four sloped roofs of a simple roof meet at a horizontal ridgeline.
Crossed Roof- This roof has two perpendicular hip roofs that intersect to form a valley.
Half-Hipped Roof- As the name suggests, this roof has short sloped hips with a visible partial vertical wall space.
Dutch Gable Roof- As the name suggests, it’s a combination of hip and gable roof styles. It has a unique feature- before reaching the roof’s ridge, a partial hip leads to a small gable.
Mansard Roof- It is completely different from other roofs. The sloped sides of mansard roofs are broken into two pitches.
What is a Gable Roof?
A gable roof is one of the most common roofing styles. The sloping sides of the roof meet at a central ridge that gives a triangular shape called a “gable”. The two downward-sloping sides create a sharp peak. Gable roofs are less expensive than hip roofs due to their simple design.
Different Types of Gable Roofs
There are various types of gable roofs. Here are the different types.
Standard Gable Roof- The walls of the standard gable roof vertically continue between the two parallel roof slopes.
Box Gable Roof- This roof has a triangular extension on the gable end that separates the area between the roof.
Front Gable Roof- As the name suggests, a front gable roof is installed at the front of the house, which is positioned directly above the front door.
Cross Gable Roof- It has a distinct feature. This is because two perpendicular gable roofs intersect with ridge lines on the same plane.
Dutch Gable Roof- It has a hipped portion that results in a partial gable just before the ridge. This roof is a combination of a hip roof and a gable roof.
A-Frame Gable Roof- It has got its name “A-frame” because the roof extends down to form the side walls of the house.
Gambrel Gable Roof- It’s a roof in which two sloped sides are broken into two pitches.
Hip Roof vs Gable Roof Cost
The overall material cost, labor cost, and installation cost of a hip roof are more than those of a gable roof due to the complexity of the structure of the hip roof.
| Hip Roof | Gable Roof | |
| Installation cost | $12,000–$25,000 which can vary depending on the material, size of the roof and the complexity of installation. | $8,000–$15,000 that can vary based on the material, size of the roof. |
| Labor cost | Labor cost is higher because hip roof requires more framing and structural support which add to the cost. | Gable roof is simple to install which takes less installation time. As a result, the labor cost goes down. |
| Cost of shingle roof | The cost to shingle a hip roof ranges between $33,600 to $67,200. | The cost to shingle a gable roof ranges between $24,000 to $48,000. |
| Replacement cost | Even the replacement cost of the hip roof is high because the number of roofing material and seam is higher. | The replacement cost of the gable roof is lower than the hip roof owing to its simple architectural detailing. |
Factors Affecting the Cost of the Hip Roof and the Gable Roof
The cost of the roof depends on multiple factors such as the location of stay, the roof’s design, insurance benefits, and installation cost. All these are discussed below:
Location of stay and insurance- If you stay in an area prone to hurricanes or strong winds, a hip roof is mostly preferred to ensure protection from such extreme weather conditions. This results in a discount on insurance premiums on the presumption that the insurance claim would be low.
On the other hand, gable roofs don’t handle strong winds well, leading to more damage to the roof. Resultantly, the insurance claim goes higher on the presumption that more damage may lead to frequent insurance claims.
Complexity in installation- Hip roofs have a more complex design compared to gable roofs, which results in a higher installation cost for hip roofs.
Which is a Better Roofing Style: Hip Roof or Gable Roof?
Though both roofing styles have pros and cons, the choice depends mainly on the location where you live. If you live in an area with frequent tornadoes or hurricanes, it’s safe to opt for a hip roof as it can tolerate the brunt of strong winds. Whereas, when staying in an area with usual wind, a gable roof can be a smart choice. However, the cost may vary for both types. A hip roof is pricey owing to several factors discussed in this blog, and a gable roof is less expensive than a hip roof.
Conclusion
To analyse the cost of hip roof and gable roof, it’s important to assess the factors that affect their varied cost. Considering the factors, you can get an idea of the cost, which can help you prepare a budget before starting the roofing work.
