A home inspector sees lots of roofs -- new roofs, good roofs and leaking roofs. We see flat roofs, low-sloped roofs, conventional sloped roofs and steep roofs. In Bellingham and Whatcom County, primary agriculture areas, the inspector sees a fair share of barn roofs.
From the standpoint of home inspection, we are more concerned with the potential of the roof to keep water out than we are with any particular style. For example, on a typical written report, I will describe the condition of the roof and note the slope of the roof. I do not go into great detail stating it is a hip roof, a shed roof, a gable roof, a mansard roof or a gambrel roof, etc. Now, sometimes I might identify a problem by referring to the issue at the shed roof or problems at the hip. But, for the most part, the fancy names of the various roofs are not that important, unless of course one sees a butterfly roof -- where the roofing slopes to a pit in the center. Those are very prone to leaks.
Sometimes clients ask the inspector for help identifying the style of the roof -- rarely but it has happened. So it is best for the inspector to know the basic styles. How many of you know the official name of the traditional barn style roof below?
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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Steve, I know it, I know it, I know it---its a "bent-roof":)