Should You Choose A Saltbox Roof For Your New-Build Home?
One of the coolest parts of having a new home built is getting to choose your roof design. This is an important decision since the design of your roof will impact not just the cost of your initial roof, but also your roof performance, repair needs, and replacement costs over the years. One type of roof to consider for your new-build home is a saltbox roof. This is an asymmetrical roof with one long, sloped side and another shorter, straighter side. Consider these upsides and downsides to determine whether a saltbox roof is right for your new home.
Upside: Saltbox roofs shed snow really well.
You'll see a lot of saltbox roofs in areas that get heavy snowfall, and there is a good reason for that. The long, sloped side of the roof sheds snow easily, and snow barely even sits on the shorter, straighter side of the roof. This design may keep you from having to rake snow on your roof in a big storm, and it will reduce your risk of a roof collapse.
Downside: Saltbox roofs limit your attic space.
If you do choose a saltbox roof, the walls of your upper floor will be slanted, at least on one side of the home. There won't be a lot of attic space, either. You may need to include some more storage elsewhere in your home design to make up for this.
Upside: Saltbox roofs are stable against the wind.
Your roofers will likely recommend orienting the roof so that the long, sloped side faces the prevailing winds. This will allow the wind to basically blow up and over the roof rather than catch underneath it. In this way, a saltbox roof can be really resistant to wind damage. This makes a saltbox roof a smart choice in hurricane and blizzard-prone areas.
Downside: Saltbox roofs limit your insulation.
A good portion of your upstairs will be right up against the roof. As such, warmth can easily travel through the roof surface. Insulation will limit this heat transfer. However, only so much insulation can fit underneath a saltbox roof. So, your heating and cooling bills might be a little higher with a saltbox roof than with another roof type.
Talk to your roofing contractor to learn more about saltbox roofs and their utility in your area. If you see a lot of other homes with this type of roof, there's a good chance it will suit you well, too.
