Hip roofs have four sloped sides that connect at a ridge board so that there are two trapezoidal sides and two triangular sides. The hip roof construction allows for each side to more or less balance the other out, which makes for a strong and durable roof.

Although the hip roof design is inherently strong, care must be taken during installation and repair by the roofing contractor to ensure your hip roof construction remains in working order through severe storms and high winds.

Here are several things a qualified roofing contractor will know to think about during any hip roof installation, replacement or repair:

• Strength
  Hip roof constructions brace themselves for the most part, as each side rests against it’s opposite in perfect balance. This means that roof collapse—especially when hip roof framing and construction is performed correctly—is highly unlikely.
• Weatherability considerations?
  When compared to gable roofs, hip roofs configurations are sometimes criticized because hip roof constructions have more seams. If improperly prepared with underlayment, or laid with shingles or shakes, hip roofs are susceptible to leaks. This is why choosing a qualified roofing contractor is so important—they will use the proper techniques to ensure your roof remains weatherproof and in working condition long beyond the installation of your hip roof.For areas like St. Louis which can experience high winds and severe storms, it is recommended that, during the process of hip roof framing, each of the sides be framed to have a pitch—the slope measured as a ratio of height to width—ranging from 4:12 to 6:12. This ensures wind will flow over the roof aerodynamically rather than pull the roof from the wall with an upward force as can sometimes happen with low-sloped hip roofs. An experienced roofing contractor will be able to design your hip roof framing to withstand even the strongest winds.
• Aesthetic?
  Beyond strength and weatherability, hip roofs also have great versatility when it comes to design. And while design might not be as integral to a roof’s performance, it is certainly an important consideration. Hip roofs can hold almost any kind of roofing material—metal or asphalt shingles, slate, ceramic tile, cedar shakes.

Whenever you need a hip roof installation, replacement or repair, call the St. Louis roofing experts—Gateway Environmental Roofing Solutions, LLC. We’ve been framing and constructing hip roofs for years. We know what we’re doing, and we do it well. But we also hold ourselves to a higher standard. We lay every rafter and shingle with pride, which is why our past clients have such positive things to say about our work ethic and end product. ??Give us a call and schedule a no-risk consultation today.