What Is a Mansard Roof?

By Mark Soto 06-21-2022
QUICK SHARE
Tag Icon

A mansard roof is one of the more unique styles of roof, especially in a residential setting. 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.

What Is a Mansard Roof?

Mansard roofs traditionally have four sides: each one has two slopes, one above the other. The lower slope has a much steeper pitch than the upper slope. This type of roof first gained popularity during the French Renaissance before expanding to other countries.

Mansard roofs can be part of a gambrel design, but do not have to be. They can tie into a low slope roof or be the visible side of a parapet on a low slope roof in both residential and commercial construction. The main difference is that mansard roofs on residential houses have four sides, while gambrel roofs only have two. Hip roofs and mansard roofs also share similarities—they both have four sloped sides—but the mansard's dual slopes draw a distinction.

History of Mansard Roofs

Mansard roofs became popular in France during the 17th century, but their creation dates back to the 16th century. The architect François Mansart used their design to help increase the living space in his buildings. This French foundation is why the style is also commonly called the "French roof."

In the 19th century, architects in the United States started to use mansard roofs in their design which grew their familiarity. The ability to add more living space upwards without needing to expand sideways made it quite an attractive option, especially in urban areas where land was scarce.

In recent years, the roof has decreased in usage due to height restrictions in some areas. Mansard roofs are much more common in large buildings rather than single-family homes. However, there are still plenty of large family homes throughout the nation that use mansard roof designs due to their unique ability to add living space to the home.

Benefits of a Mansard Roof

Aesthetics played a significant role in this roof spreading out of France. Mansard roofs offer an elegant look that can be difficult to match with styles like flat or gable roofs. They also typically feature dormer windows on their lower slope, allowing in plenty of natural sunlight. Dormer windows are a vital part of the roof architecture, so they're very common. Windows brighten up dim attics, promote airflow, and give a stylish appearance from the outside.

Due to their design, these roof types also provide more living space for attics. Without a steep roof pitch that cuts off areas, as with a gable or hip roof, you can make an additional room out of your attic. Plus, the natural light that enters makes any area feel bigger. Another favorable feature they provide is ease of expandability. If you're looking to add more space to your home one day, it's a much easier process with this roof due to its almost vertical bottom slope.

Types of Mansard Variations

There are three main mansard variations that can affect the look of the roof.

  • A straight design has a minor top slope that isn't always visible and an almost vertical bottom slope. If you look at it from the bottom, it's hard to see the slope at the top.

  • A convex design is similar to a straight design, but the bottom slope goes out at an outward curve instead of straight. You can get the most space out of the area with this option.

  • A concave design gives an inward curve appearance at the bottom slope. While this appearance can be quite elegant, it also reduces the amount of space inside compared to the other two choices.

If a mansard roof sounds like a good option for your home, contact a certified roofing contractor by GAF* for your next roofing project.



*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may have agreed that they will use GAF roofing products, and may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Soto is a freelance writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has comprehensive knowledge of home improvement projects based on his previous work. Mark comes from a family of DIYers and has worked with landscapers, plumbers, painters and other contractors. He also writes about camping and his enthusiasm for the outdoors.
Don't miss another GAF RoofViews post!
LATEST UPDATES
Companies, organizations, and firms working in the building, construction, and design space have a unique opportunity and responsibility. Collectively, we are contributing to nearly 40% of energy-related carbon emissions worldwide. While the goals, commitments, pledges, and promises around these challenges are a step in the right direction, no one entity alone will make major improvements to this daunting issue.
Mark Rutherford is one of the founders and current co-owner of Atlanta Roofing Specialists, where he's responsible for production and commercial sales. The company provides new roofs and repair services for residential and commercial buildings in the Atlanta area, and has been a part of the community for 30 years.
As the warmer temperatures of spring arrive, you might be getting out your vacuum, mop, and household cleaners. But the outside of your home likely needs some attention too. Signs of winter damage often show up once the snow melts and the ground thaws, so now's also the time for outdoor spring cleaning. Proper home maintenance—such as inspecting your roof and other areas of your home that might need repair can help preserve your property.
What's old is new again. In addition to musical tastes and clothing trends, this is often the case with certain architectural styles. Today, the modern mansard roof is experiencing a comeback. The first known use of this roof style was in 1550 where it appeared on a portion of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. The mansard roof derives its name from François Mansart, a French architect who favored the style and used it in many of his building designs.
If you're thinking about replacing your old roof or installing a new one, one thing to consider is whether you should choose darker or lighter shingles. Appearance isn't the only factor this choice affects. Depending on your home and where you live, choosing darker or lighter options might also be more beneficial and efficient. Here's what you need to know about selecting between light and dark shingle colors for your roof.
With any roofing project, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right design: sustainability profile, potential risks, overall performance, and more. Our Building and Roofing Science (BRS) team specializes in working with industry professionals to help them enhance their roof designs across all of these areas. Leveraging their building enclosure expertise, our BRS team serves as thought leaders and collaborators, helping design professionals deliver better solutions for their customers.
This blog contains information created by a variety of sources, including internal and third party writers. The opinions and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of GAF. The content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute financial, accounting, tax or legal advice. GAF does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the information. In no event shall GAF be held responsible or liable for errors or omissions in the content or for the results, damages or losses caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the content.

Interested in sharing or republishing our content? We kindly ask you to adhere to our guidelines.