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Though the Mansard roof style came into existence in the 16th century, it was widely popularized in the early 17th century and made many comebacks even after the period. As you know that the first slope of the Mansard roof is steep, which will let you even make an extra floor on top of the home. It further offers excellent flexibility in the long run and makes it cheap to have additions.
Hip Roof Framing
Beyond its aesthetic, it offers a set of benefits that other roofs can't match—however, it also comes with some special considerations. On the right home, mansard roofs can provide both style and protection for you and your family. These gorgeous designs of homes with mansard roofs were just the starting point in homeowners — and investment property and commercial building owners — making important changes to their exteriors. To see some real-life afters built from brick&batten designs, check out some of our client stories. When it comes to architectural design, it is not simply engineering; it is an art. For this reason, buildings do not look similar though their sole purpose is to create a living space. A roof is the most vulnerable section of a building which protects against environmental hazards like ice, snow, rain, hail, fire, and heat.
Mansard Roofs Design Considerations
Some people love this roof style, others find it challenging to work with — either way, while mansard roofs might not be super common across America, they exist in our architectural landscape! And it’s our goal at brick&batten to bring out the best in every exterior. Below, we’ve rounded up a handful of mansard roof images that our designers have transformed with stunning curb appeal. Another red brick urban home, now with a straight mansard roof featuring grey shingles, the straight mansard roof featured on this modern townhouse has a small upper slope not visible from the street level. This mansard roof one could argue misses the historic charm but it's an extremely fitting roof style for a modern home, one that many architects are embracing today.
Do I need Building Permit for Mansard Roof?
Not just the maximization of living space, but you can provide an aesthetic value to any building. It’s mostly an essential part of French architecture during the Renaissance period. So, what left behind are mostly the Mansard roofs with two or four slopes. Well, the roof particularly defines the form of art rather than just making an architectural design for functionality. You may not see such roofing style in most traditional homes, but they can be easily found in barn houses and similar modern places. The straight mansard style featured on this cottage has a small upper slope that is not visible from the street level.
Dormer windows
Whereas, curb Gabel roof refers to the roof with slopes on just two sides, which are commonly known as Gambrel roof. The double-pitched and steep styles are two main Mansard roof styles that are mostly distinct based upon the drainage system of snow and water. More prolonged and sharper slopes are better for the efficient drainage system. On the other hand, the style of the double-pitched drainage system forms the most reasonable one comparatively. It was where the Mansard roof’s peculiar design allowed people to even add extra floors without paying taxes.
As architectural trends evolve, so do interpretations of the mansard roof. Contemporary architects often experiment with materials and design elements, bringing a modern twist to this classic style. For example, the integration of large glass panels or minimalist dormer windows adds a contemporary flair while maintaining the roof’s traditional charm. A mansard roof is characterized by its unique four-sided design, with each side comprising a double slope.
Various roofing trends are out to come in 2021, expecting the Mansard as one of the appealing and acceptable roofs. However, the reliability and quality of both design and materials are considered over their popularity. Yet, the Mansard style got famous in the 17th century by Francois Mansart, who was a renowned architect of the French Baroque period. Their fashionable existence came during the reign of Napoleon III during the Second Empire.
History of Mansard Roofs
This is why you’ll find Mansard roofs in many urban areas, where there’s often limited space to expand a home outward. Homeowners can use the Mansard roof to build up and get more square footage. Once the frame has been built completely (including the provisions for the dormer windows), other mansard roof construction details are added in as in any other roof design. This includes insulation and any electrical or plumbing pathways that you may want to install. It should be a surprise to no one that mansard roofs are not a very common design choice among houses nowadays.
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However, they gained popularity in the 17th century by Francois Mansart. In this chalet from design alpino, they have expanded the living space under the mansard roof. They finished the ceiling with exposed beams and used organic elements like stone walls to create continuity with the outside world. This style roof offers the extra space of a straight mansard style roof and the elegance of the rounded form. The most important reason that this roof style was so valued was because of the extra attic space that it added.

Their familiarity with this style means they’re aware of the intricate angles and details involved. Slate tiles bring an element of elegance to the steep sections of a mansard roof. Although more expensive and heavier, slate’s durability and longevity justify the investment. It’s particularly suitable for historic or high-end homes where aesthetic quality is a priority. In most cases, you will need to get a building permit before you install a mansard roof on your house.
The interiors of this roof can be transformed into a building’s extra storey while allowing your home to look more inhabitable and fully functional. While many acknowledge that it works well in many architectural designs, this type of roof has waned in the current day. The style, size, and placement of dormer windows can dramatically affect the appearance and functionality of a mansard roof. Homeowners should consider their local climate, as mansard roofs may not be suitable for areas with heavy snowfall or high winds.
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Gambrel roof architecture is a version of a gable roof, but the gambrel roof has two slopes on each side, rather than the one slope on a typical gable roof. When mansard roofs were first invented in France in the 1500s, they were designed to increase living space. The steep lower slope of these roofs turned previously unused attic space into a livable extra floor. However, the option for additional space could become a driver for this roof style in areas where minimal building space is available. One of the main advantages of a mansard roof is the additional living or storage space it provides. The double-sloped design of the mansard roof allows for more space in the upper portion of the roof, which can be used for a variety of purposes.
These roofs can maximize the living space on the second floor, which is often used as a sleeping area in many of today's smaller homes. Gentrification of historic city areas has seen homeowners purchasing and renovating older homes—many of which feature mansard roofs. Some single-family homeowners who want to expand their living spaces have been adding mansard-style roofs to attics, which can help open the space without having to add another story. On the flip side, the intricate design of mansard roofs translates to higher construction and maintenance costs.
Let’s read out some frequently asked questions upon Mansard roofs and its other angles. On the other hand, Gambrel roofs originate in sharp and long points at the main beam of the roof. Areas, particularly Germany and France, made no such distinction and simply called both of them as Mansards. If you don’t need more bedrooms or office space, use the area under the mansard as a cozy hang-out for the whole family. The sectional fits well under the exposed beams to give the whole design an integrated look. Karen L. Edwards is a freelance writer for the construction industry and has a passion for roofing, having worked in the industry for 20 years.
We have gathered some stunning photos of mansard roofs, both outside and inside to exemplify that mansard roofs have an elegant, familiar look worth considering, cast a glance. The protruding design of the dormer windows causes more exposure to the environment, so they will often require maintenance. This will add to increased maintenance costs and will become a burden on your energy costs as well if you have faulty dormer windows. When false Mansard is added to the existing building’s front area, it will provide a permanent and awning lower-floor windows. You can find these assemblies made of steel or wood studs, or with any lightweight steel trusses.