What is a Hip Roof? The Pros and Cons of this Roof Type Explained

Brief 

Hip roofs are a hugely common sight in the UK. Here, we take a look at what they are, their pros and cons and how they can be converted or extended.

Insight

A hip roof is an excellent choice for all kinds of house styles, looking just as at home on a contemporary property as it does on something more traditional in form. For this reason, along with their many other benefits, hip roofs are incredibly popular.

When it comes to types of roof, it can be tricky to get to grips with the many different designs out there, what they can offer you and exactly what they look like.

Here, we provide you with all you need to know about hip roofs (sometimes also known as hipped roofs), from how to identify one to the possibilities they offer when it comes to loft conversions and house extensions. We also take a look at the pros and cons of a hip roof so that you can feel confident you are making the right choice for your home.

What is a hip roof?

Hip roofs are very simple in form and, like other roof styles, come with several variations. Standard hip roofs are comprised of two trapezoid-shaped roof faces on the long sides of the house, along with two triangle-shaped planes on the shorter sides. All four sides slope inwards towards a central ridge and away towards the exterior walls of the house.

Unlike other types of roof, a hip roof features no gables and there is a complete absence of any vertical sections — plus all four faces are usually the same pitch. Their simple, unfussy appearance and integral strength goes a long way towards explaining their popularity — as well as the rise in the number of hipped roof extensions being built these day.