Mansard Roof - Definition and Purpose

A mansard or mansard roof (also known as a French roof or curb roof) is a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof with two slopes on each side, the lower of which is punctured by dormer windows and is steeper than the upper. The steep roof with windows adds an extra floor of habitable space (a garret) and lowers the roof's overall height for a given number of habitable storeys. When viewed from close proximity to the building, the upper slope of the roof may not be visible from street level.

There are a few other characteristics that distinguish a mansard roof. Dormers, or windows that protrude from the roof, are a common feature. This allows architects to convert the attic space into a bedroom or other livable space by bringing light into the space. One of the greatest advantages of the mansard roof is the ability to convert the attic into living space. It's also worth noting that the lower part of the mansard roof can be straight, convex (curving or flaring outward), or concave after the bend (curving or flaring inwards).

On two opposite sides, the Mansard roof has a similar slope design. The Mansard roof, on the other hand, has the same sloping style on both sides. On the remaining faces of the gambrel roof, there are no slopes. Aside from the additional slopes, Mansard roofs have a distinct design element that sets them apart from traditional gambrel roofs.

The Benefits of a Mansard Roof

1. More Attic Space

Due to the almost vertical bottom slope, Mansard roofs offer significantly more attic space than a standard Gable or Hip roof. A Mansard roof's loft area does not have to sacrifice space and can easily accommodate a master bedroom if necessary.

Furthermore, the use of dormer windows along the entire length of the bottom slope allows for more natural light to enter the building, increasing the sense of space even more.

2. Expandability is easier

The almost vertical nature of the bottom slope makes adding more floors on top easier. In comparison to more popular roofing styles like Gable or Hip roofs, the bottom slope allows for more flexibility.

Using a Mansard roof makes perfect sense if you currently do not have the budget to add more floors to your house but want or need the flexibility to expand your house in the future.

3. Aesthetic Worth

Although appearances are subjective, there is no denying that Mansard roofs have an elegant design, owing to their prominence in Renaissance French architecture. Furthermore, in areas where they are not commonly found, this roofing style will look more sophisticated and, if properly executed, may even be a head turner.

Comments

10 Things You Must Do Before Refurbishing Your Property

10 Things You Must Do Before Refurbishing Your Property Introduction Home is the place where you wish to be with all your heart. We love to retain the home in all its old glory. But, sometimes it becomes necessary to renovate and refurbish it. The existing structure of the house can be upgraded in a way to match the current trends and provide the best of facilities. It improves the usability and the efficiency of all the available resources. This can be done in the best way through property refurbishment in South London. Things You Must Do Before Property Refurbishment Property refurbishment is a technique which is adopted by most of the people who want to modernize and upgrade their houses without buying a new one. Some of the essential things to be done before refurbishing your property are: Know what exactly you want: Define your requirements according to your needs. Plan a budget: It is essential to know your finances and not get burdened by the property refurbish...

A Fresh Start Revamping Your Living Room Decor

Living Room Decor Your living room is more than just a space; it's the heart of your home, where memories are made, laughter echoes, and warmth envelops you. It's the canvas upon which you paint the story of your life. Yet, over time, your living room decor might start to feel a bit stale, like an old melody that needs a new tune. That’s why We are here to help you explore the art of revamping your living room decor and breathing new life into your most cherished space. Let's dive deep into the realm of interior design, where we'll uncover secrets to transform your living room into a cozy haven that perfectly reflects your unique style and personality. Assessing Your Space: The Foundation of Transformation Before you grab that paintbrush or scour through furniture catalogues, take a moment to truly understand your living room space. It's a unique canvas, and every brushstroke should be deliberate. Consider your living room's dimensions, layout, and any archit...

Tips for redesigning your kitchen

As a homeowner, your kitchens remain the most valuable room in the house. Occasionally, the need to renovate might arise, purposely to suit your taste and preference. It is not an easy task to redesign your kitchen; it requires best home improvement ideas both in terms of cost, plan, and design. We have simplified for you below the methods for redesigning your kitchen: Step 1: Plan Of course, you have a limited budget. You can only stick to the budget by coming up with an elaborate plan which must contain the duration of redesigning and the expected completion date. You can also take professional help from one of the home improvement companies in south London like Doran Bros Construction. Step 2: Research This step involves thinking about the kind of kitchen you desire depending on your use. In this step, you can draft a layout and everything that matches your lifestyle. Some of the questions you should be asking yourself include: how many people will the kitchen serve? ...

Home Improvement Companies South London

Search This Blog