What is a hipped roof?

A hipped roof is a common roof type found across the UK. It comprises four sloping faces that meet the external walls. The sloping roof faces meet at hips that run from the external corners of the building to the ridge, giving the roof its distinctive appearance. This simple, classic roof style is a good choice for houses of all sizes across the UK.

What are the characteristics of hipped roofs?

A hipped roof has a range of characteristics which make it a great choice for many different types of home, including:

• Strong structure – The structure of the roof is self-bracing due to the four faces distributing the loads evenly on the walls. This creates a solid, stable construction.
• Resilience – The structure of the roof makes it stable and resilient in all conditions. For example, the sloped faces make it harder for the wind to catch on the roof and damage it.
• Improved drainage – Any rainwater or snow which falls is directed away from the hips and towards the eaves, leading to improved drainage and a reduced risk of water ingress which can damage the home.
• Longer lifespan – The strength and weather resistance of a hipped roof offer a longer than average lifespan when specified and installed correctly, especially in high wind or rain areas where other roof types suffer more environmental damage.
• Aesthetics – A hipped roof is an elegant, stylish choice which will never go out of fashion. It can be customised with design flourishes such as finials and crested ridge tiles along the hip allowing you to personalise your roof.
  
  

What are the different types of hipped roofs?

The standard hipped roof is most often seen on rectangular houses and is what people think of when they imagine this roof type. There are two other standard, common types of hipped roof:

• Pyramid hip roof – This is similar to the standard hipped roof, except installed on a square house. When a hipped roof is used on this type of home, it forms a pyramid shape where all four faces of the roof are the same size and they meet at the highest point.
• Crossed hip roof – The crossed hip roof features a perpendicular section adjoined to the standard square or rectangle. This creates an ‘L’ or ‘T’ shaped roof and allows hipped roof construction on buildings which stray from the common rectangular or square footprints we see most often in the UK.

These variations enable designers, specifiers and homeowners to enjoy the benefits of a hipped roof across a wider range of building layouts.

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Disclaimer - The information shared in this blog is correct at the time of publication. Guidance, standards, and best practices may change over time, so if you’d like further clarification or the latest updates, please get in touch with the Marley Technical Advisory Team, who will be happy to help.