6 Best Tiny House Roof Options: Complete Tiny House Roofing Guide

Insulating your tiny home roof is a crucial part of the construction process. It will need to be more insulated than your walls or flooring. It serves as the primary barrier against rain, snow, and falling debris. Installing your roof is simple and straightforward, but picking the appropriate style is crucial.

However, there are many other types of roofs, and we’ve made a list of the six most excellent roofing designs that will protect you and your little family from rain, snow and keep you warm.

So, let’s start with the question: How to install the roof becomes stronger?

First, make sure the wall is upright and that the frame on the exterior of the wall is square to itself. A ridge beam is a structural part that supports the ends of the rafters at the ridge, so make sure it’s straight, at the proper spot, and at the proper angle to the rafter.

If you desire a vented roof, adding a middle rafter can provide you with additional support. Another critical component is hurricane roof tie, which strengthens the connection between the roof and the outer walls of your tiny house structure. It will be making it more structurally sound.

Now, my friend, we are just getting started. 

6 types of roof for your tiny house

Now we are going to tell you about 6 different types of roof design that you can install. You might be thinking that their design is different not only design rather their purposes is different. See what we listed for you and understand what design can fill the maximum requirement you need in your lifestyle.

1. Gable Roof

Gable roofs are the most common roof style in the Boston area and throughout the United States. They are the most common roof style in New England and along Canada’s east coast. This gable roof is the most common type of roof found in both tiny and standard houses.

Because of the steeper slope, this roof can quickly shed water and snow, making it ideal for areas with heavy rainfall or harsh winters. Anything more than a two-slope gable roof will be more wind resistant.

If you live in an area where there is a lot of wind, rain, or snow, a gable roof is the best option for you.

Advantages of Gable Roof

• Because the gable roof is made up of two large pieces that are slanted together and attached.
• It has a straightforward design, which contributes to its popularity.
• Weatherproofing.
• make more room for an attic or vaulted ceilings
• Aesthetics is the study of the appearance of things.
• Pitch can be customized.
• Gable roofs have a steep pitch, which allows for better water drainage and fewer leaks

The things that might be bothering you: High winds can be a problem for gable roofs if they are not correctly built, especially if there is too much overhang, in which case the entire roof could be torn off.

2. Hipped Roof

Hip roofs are ideal for areas with high winds and snowfall. As a result, hip roofs are much more resistant to wind damage than gable roofs. They are much more stable than gable roofs because they do not have large, flat, or slab-sided ends to catch the wind.

When a dormer crow’s nest is added to a hip roof, it can provide additional living space. The four-way slope makes it much more stable than other types of roofing, and it allows water and snow to run off quickly.

Hip roofs are more expensive to construct than gable roofs because they are a more complex design that necessitates more building materials, such as a complex system of trusses or rafters.

Advantages of Hipped Roof

• A hip roof is self-bracing, which means it requires less diagonal bracing than a gable roof.
• As a result, hip roofs are much more resistant to wind damage than gable roofs.
• Hip roofs are an excellent choice for high winds.
• Hip roofs are easier to build from the standpoint of a builder.
• The four-way slope makes it much more stable than other types of roofing, and it allows water and snow to run off quickly.
• More ventilation and attic space are available.

The things that might be bothering you: Hip roofs are more complex than flat or gable 

roofs, increasing the likelihood of failure.

3. Gambrel Roof

A gambrel, also known as a gambrel roof, is a symmetrical two-sided roof with two slopes on each side. The upper slope has a shallow angle, whereas the lower slope is steep. Actually, the gambrel roof design can provide an elegant aesthetic while allowing for more storage or living space beneath its steeper sides. When it comes to structuring, this roof is regarded as one of the best strong choices.

A gambrel roof is not recommended for areas with high winds. However, if you build the knee wall first, brace it straight, and then install two rafters around the wall and its braces.

Although gambrel roofs are less expensive to install and maintain, they require fewer materials to construct, making them more expensive.

Advantages of Gabrel Roof

• It has a distinct historical vibe.
• The fewer the construction materials required.
• It is simpler to build gambrel roofs.
• Excellent drainage systems.
• Long-Duration life span.
• It will free up more space for more valuable items.

The things that might be bothering you: These roofs are not suitable or recommended in areas prone to snowfall or strong winds because they are not strong enough to withstand the pressure.

4. Flat Roof

Flat roofs are an ancient form commonly found in arid climates and allow the roof space to be used as a living space or a living roof. If you value durability, a flat roof is a system for you. It is also water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about water damage. Flat roofs are also standard on commercial buildings all over the world.

The materials are less expensive, and these roofs are easier and faster to install, resulting in less labor overall.

When it comes to high winds and storms, that can cause damage. Flat roofs, on the other hand, are not recommended for use in areas with heavy snowfall.

 So if you are living in balanced weather conditions, you will find good results by installing a flat roof.

Advantages of Flat Roof

• It is less expensive than pitched roofs.
• Extra space for a variety of purposes.
• The installation will be completed more quickly and with less disruption.
• Installation of solar panels.
• Flat roofs require less material and take up less space than sloped roofs.

The things that might be bothering you: In colder climates, flat roofs cause several problems for homeowners.

5. Shed Roof

Shed roofs allow a lot of light into a structure, keep the framing simple, and replace useless attic space with interior volume. This style makes use of fewer materials, which reduces the cost of that component. Roofers can build it quickly and easily, allowing them to complete the job in less time.

If you live in a rainy area, this shed roof will keep you dry, but strong winds, with their high speeds and quick direction changes, can put a lot of strain on your shed roof. This roof can provide more space on one side while taking up less space on the other.

Roof tiles and shingles are two of the most popular shed roof coverings due to their durability and the refined appearance they provide to a garden shed.

6. Arched/ Curved Roof

Arched roofs, if properly designed, can also be self-supporting structures. An arch may even be load-bearing with adequate reinforcement. Curved roofs can also be used as an alternative to flat or skillion roofs, allowing for larger indoor areas or additional floors where height restrictions are an issue.

In high wind areas, a roof with an arched or curved shape would be more durable than one with a higher slope, and it can have more of an arch to allow water to run off.

This type of roof will be more durable if it is built correctly. Find the best madder to build this design properly so that they can serve the best results.

Advantages of Arched/ Curved Roof

• Curved roofs can be tailored to the region in which the home will be built.
• Ideal for homeowners looking to add a wow factor to their home.
• Curved roofs help to cut down on harmful CO2 emissions.
• It can be built in a short period.
• It does not necessitate expert supervision.
• Construction is low-cost.

The things that might bother you must be carefully designed to provide maximum comfort and efficiency with professional architects or builders.

FAQs About Tiny House Roof Options:

• Question: What is the best roof pitch for high winds?

Answer: Most experts agree that a roof’s slope should be 30 degrees to provide the proper pitch when dealing with high winds.

• Question: What is the most substantial roof design?

Answer: Hip roofs are one of the most durable roof designs. A hip roof’s inward slope on all four sides makes it an excellent design for high wind and snowy areas.

• Question: Are shed roofs cheaper to build?

Answer: The shed roof’s simplicity also makes it more cost-effective. This style makes use of fewer materials, which reduces the cost of that component.

• Question: How do you waterproof a low pitch roof?

Answer: Low-pitch roofs are typically waterproofed with a roof membrane made of synthetic rubber, a thermoplastic such as PVC, or modified bitumen.

Final Word

Today, we have listed the top 6 roof options for your tiny house. Still, their different design is suitable for different weather conditions. Also, building a roof in cheap amount flat and shed is primarily familiar for them.

 So first, try to understand what design will suit your outside condition, pay attention to your budget, and then choose the destination.