What Is A Mansard Roof?
A mansard roof is having a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof. The gambrel-style roof is nothing new it is a modified version of the gable roof.
Mansard Style Roof truss is consists of two slopes on each side with the lower slope by the dormer window at a steeper angle than the upper.
Each side can be either curved or flat which is depending upon the style and it is also known as a French roof or Curb Roof.

Mansard roof gives traditional look to your structure and is mostly used in this type of roof in barn houses.
Mansard style roof is comes into the 16th century in England and Italy and named after the French architect Francois, who is used this roof in many of his construction work and also the mansard roof was gained popularity in mid 17th century.
Also, the shape of the mansard style roof can be designed according to the requirement of the user but the most common types of roof shape are concave slope, straight angle, and convex slope.
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Mansard Roof Design Variations
A mansard roof can be modified for the design purpose and its functionality. Generally, the following three designs are used for it,
- Concave Style
- Conwax Style
- Straight Style

Each design has its own advantage and disadvantage. Before selecting the shape of the roof, make sure it is suitable for the nature of the structure and the nature of climate.
Concave Style For Mansard Roof

A Concave style mansard roof is curved inside on its lower slope portion, also steep angle on their bottom. The concave roof was popular in the 19th century. The concave style is mostly used in buildings and mansions.
Due to the mansard style roof being flat at the top portion so that in heavy snowfall the crack occurs. Repair immediately before it gets worse completely. In Concave shape, the roof is expansive in repair and maintenance.
Convex Style For Mansard Roof

A convex style mansard roof is curved on the outward side on its lower slope portion and the shape of the convex mansard roof is look like the letter S and a ball shape in both shapes allow for more interior space without requiring any additional levels.
 If you choose the convex mansard roof for your house before build makes sure that the site is free from any unwanted trees, branches, or plants. The convex mansard style roof is mostly found in towers, courthouses, hotels, etc.
Straight Style For Mansard Roof

Straight mansard style roofs have a slight slope on their upper panel portion and this roof is designed by dormer window at the lower slope.
The slight slope cannot easily be visible for anyone standing at the ground surface. In some cases, this slight slope can be almost vertical position and this dormer window is providing for good ventilation, proper lighting purpose, and extra interior space.
The biggest disadvantage of a straight mansard roof is not capable to carry the weight of snow, which is gathering on the top of the roof due to this cracks will occur.
When repairing your damaged roof the original piece of roof brings with you so that you choose the similar or close design of your original piece.
Types of Mansard Roof
Mansard style Roof is mainly classified into two types;
- Double Pitch Mansard             Â
- Steep Sides Mansard Roof
The steep side’s mansard roofs are consisting a sharp point at the top of the roof and also provide drainage from all sides of the roof.
The Double Pitch Mansard roof is consisting low a pitched roof and provides a reasonable amount of drainage.
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Advantages of Mansard Roof
- Mansard Style Roof is provided extra usable space.
- It is suitable for rural areas and urban areas.
- Mansard Style Roof is economical.
- It gives more flexibility.
- Mansard style Roof increases the aesthetic look of the building.
- It gives good natural light.
Disadvantages of Mansard Style Roof
- Mansard style Roof is not suitable for the windy climate.
- It is required high maintenance cost and repair costs.
- Mansard style Roof is required a long construction time.
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How to Build a Mansard Style Roof
The following steps are used to build a mansard roof,
Step-1: Making Decisions and Planning
- Before build a mansard style roof you should required planning for it, choosing a blueprint for your mansard roof then according to planning buy material, taking out insurance and hiring labor.
- Good planning is most important part of the any type of construction work.
Step-2: Preparing the Build Site
- For constructing roof required all types of material and tools, machinery are collected on the site.
Step-3: Placing the Rafter
- During placing the rafter you should wear gloves, eye protection glasses, and hard hats for safety purposes.
- Use a Normal-type rafter and fix them on the ridge board. After this process has been completed the outside rafter placed in correct position and tighten the rafter into the place, this whole process is repeat on the remaining three sides.
Step-4: Remaining Common Rafters
- The common rafter is also put into the correct position and to make sure they have limited motion and are safely placed.
- Check everything before moving to another step because it will be hard to make corrections or replace them as you move on.
Step-5: Ceiling Beams and Sheathing
- The ceiling beam and sheathing should be place with the care, using nails to secure beam and sheathing in place as well as make sure they are not loose and no damage later on.
Step-6: Upper Extension
- An upper extension is a prolonged area which is creates the top expansion of the roof, also it make roof stronger and durable.
Step-7: Sheathing and Shingling
- Before you going through the sheathing procedure, use collar ties beam and fascia for the roof. The sheathing need to fix with the rafter nails.
- Any area where the valley and the open vent are there you should be covered utilizing flashing. After doing this, lay the coating all over the surface and then cover it with the use of roof shingles.
FAQs:
What is a mansard roof?
A mansard roof is having a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof. The gambrel-style roof is nothing new it is a modified version of the gable roof.
Mansard style Roof truss is consists of two slopes on each side with the lower slope by the dormer window at a steeper angle than the upper.
What are the advantages of Mansard Roof?
What is the Convex Mansard Roof?
A convex style mansard roof is curved on the outward side on its lower slope portion and the shape of the convex mansard style roof is look like the letter S and a ball shape in both shapes allow for more interior space without requiring any additional levels.
what does a mansard roof look like
A mansard roof look likes four-sided gambrel-style hip roof. The gambrel-style roof is nothing new it is a modified version of the gable roof.
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