UK roof types: gable, hip, mansard, mono-pitch and more

Quick answer: The 8 main UK roof shapes are gable (two slopes, triangular end walls), hip (four slopes), hipped-gable (hybrid), mansard (steeper lower section, classic London terraces), gambrel (barn-style), mono-pitch (one slope, modern extensions), flat (under 10° pitch), and butterfly (V-shape, rare modernist).

Gable roof (the standard UK house)

Two slopes meeting at a central ridge, with two triangular gable end walls. The most common UK pitched roof. Cheaper to build than hipped roofs because the gable ends are simple brickwork rather than additional slopes. Good loft conversion potential — the gable ends create useful headroom.

Found on: most 1900-1970s semis and terraces, modern volume housebuilder estates.

Hip roof

Four slopes, no gable end walls. The roof slopes inward on all sides. More expensive to build (more rafters, more flashing, more covering area). Better wind resistance — no large flat gable to catch the wind. Less useful loft space because the slopes reduce headroom at the edges.

Found on: Edwardian and 1930s detached houses, bungalows.

Hipped-gable (Dutch hip)

A hybrid: small gable above a hipped slope. Looks like a gable cut off near the top with a mini-hip. Gives some of the loft headroom of a gable plus most of the wind resistance of a hip. Common on 1960s-80s detached houses.

Mansard roof

Two pitches per side — steep lower section (often 70-80°) and shallow upper section (often 10-30°). Maximises usable loft floor area. Named after French architect François Mansart. Classic London Georgian and Victorian terraces have mansards. Expensive to build and re-cover (lots of valleys and flashing). Lots of leak points.

Gambrel roof

Like a mansard but only on two sides (gable ends remain flat). Barn-style. Rare on UK houses, occasionally on outbuildings and self-builds going for a country look.

Mono-pitch (lean-to)

A single sloping plane. Common on modern extensions, garages and contemporary self-builds. Cheap to build. Drains well. Looks deliberate when designed in, looks awkward when added as an afterthought.

Flat roof

Pitch under 10° (often 1-5°). Almost never truly flat — they need a fall for drainage. Used on extensions, garages, dormers and modernist houses. See flat roof explained for materials and lifespan.

Butterfly roof

Two slopes meeting at a central valley (the opposite of a gable). Rare. Found on some 1950s-60s modernist houses and contemporary architect-designed builds. Drainage is concentrated at the central valley, so the gutter must be sized properly — they fail badly when blocked.

Most common UK type

Gable (~60% of housing stock)

Best for loft conversion

Gable, mansard

Best wind resistance

Hip

Cheapest to build per m²

Gable or mono-pitch

Which roof type is right for you?

For new builds and extensions, the architect will normally recommend the type that matches the existing house. Mismatching (e.g. mono-pitch extension off a gable end) looks awkward and can affect resale value. For older properties on conservation areas, you usually can't change the shape without planning permission.

For loft conversions, gable and mansard give the most usable floor space. Hip roofs are usually converted with hip-to-gable conversions (add planning) or dormers. See your pitched roofs guide.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-18