What Is a Hip Roof?
A hip roof has four sloping sides — two trapezoidal faces along the length and two triangular faces at each end. All sides slope downward from the ridge to the eaves. The ridge is shorter than the building length, creating the hip at each end.
Hip Area = 2 × Trapezoidal Sides + 2 × Triangular Ends
Trapezoid = ((Length + Ridge) ÷ 2) × Slope Length
Triangle = (Width ÷ 2) × Slope Length
Advantages
- Superior wind resistance — the most stable roof in hurricanes and high winds
- Self-bracing design — all four sides provide structural support
- Consistent eave overhang on all sides for weather protection
- More attractive from all angles than a gable roof
Considerations
- 10-15% more expensive than gable due to complexity
- More waste material (15-20% waste factor recommended)
- Less attic space than gable roofs
- More seams and valleys = more potential leak points