Pros And Cons Of Having A Mansard Roof
A mansard roof is a type of roofing that has two slopes on every side, with the lower of the two slopes being far steeper than the higher. This popular style was first used in the 16th century but was not given its official name until the 17th century, when it was named after Frenchman Francois Mansart. A mansard roof is a great way to combine historical architecture with your home and create a beautiful silhouette. Sadly, this style of roofing is not primarily used in modern builds. However, it is certainly still something to consider when designing your own home! This article guides you through the pros and cons of having a mansard roof.
What Are The Pros Of Having A Mansard Roof?
There is a reason that this style of roofing became so popular back in the 16th and 17th century. Mansard roofing provides several excellent benefits that make it a great addition to any home.
Mansard Roof For A House Extension
Installing a mansard roof onto your home is a brilliant way to increase the size of your attic and create a home extension. The vertical bottom shape of a mansard roof provides homes with extra space in the attic compared to the commonly used hip or gable roofs. In addition, the vertical sides create walls so you could easily turn your loft area into another room!
Easy Expansion
The shape and structure of mansard roofing make it far easier to expand than other types of roof, which is excellent for homeowners who may want to develop their property by adding to it. In addition, the vertical bottom shape of the mansard design makes it very easy to add extra floors to your home, which keeps doors open for home expansion in the future.
Steph Fanizza, Architectural Design & Team Manager
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What Are The Cons Of Having A Mansard Roof?
Whilst the benefits of mansard roofing are clear, it is also essential to understand why these types of roof have become less popular over the years.
High Installation Costs
The design of a mansard roof extension is complex, which makes it very expensive to install. The installation of just one mansard roof can be the equivalent cost to installing multiple gables or hip roofs. If you want to build on a budget, it may be tough to afford a mansard design.
Poor Weather Resistance
Mansard roofs may look nice, but they aren’t the most durable against harsh weather conditions. If your area experiences harsh rainfall throughout the year, this is probably not the best roof option for you! The flat top of the mansard roof provides a very poor drainage system which could lead to leaks or even roof collapse!
If your mansard roof is damaged by weather, it could be costly to repair! The complex design of the roof means that it takes longer for roofers to fix it, and most may not even be familiar with the design in the first place!
If you would like some advice around which roof design to choose for your home, you can speak to our team or get your free quote and begin your build today!
