---
title: "Define pitched roof and its types"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_6/building_technology:define-pitched-roof-types"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/define-pitched-roof-types
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define pitched roof and its types

Building Technology · Chapter 4: Roofs

- Asked in: 2078 Baisakh, 4 marks; 2075 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2072 Magh, 3 marks; 2072 Asoj, 8 marks (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Various Forms of Pitched Roof | Building Construction | Civil Engineering | Harshna Verma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukq7qRDOApE) — YCT ENGINEERING
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/define-pitched-roof-types
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-4

## Question

Define pitched roof and explain its various types with examples.

## Short answer

A pitched roof has sloping surfaces >10° (typically 25-45°) for quick drainage. Types: lean-to (single slope), gable (two slopes), hip (four slopes), gambrel (two slopes per side), mansard (double slopes on four sides), hip-and-valley, Dutch gable, north-light (saw-tooth), butterfly (V-shape), and conical/pyramidal. Advantages: good drainage, attic space, suitable for rainy/snowy regions.

## Answer

A **pitched roof** (sloping roof) is a roof with one or more sloping surfaces, the slope being more than 10 degrees (usually 25-45 degrees), so that rain and snow drain quickly. It is formed of timber or steel rafters/trusses covered with tiles, slates, sheets or thatch.

#### Types of pitched roof
| Type | Description and example |
|---|---|
| Lean-to roof | Single slope resting against a taller wall; verandah, shed, outhouse |
| Gable (saddle / couple) roof | Two slopes meeting at a ridge, with gable ends; ordinary houses |
| Hip roof | All four sides sloping; good wind resistance, no gable wall; bungalows |
| Gambrel roof | Two slopes on each side, the lower one steeper; barns |
| Mansard roof | Two slopes on each of the four sides, the lower about 60-70 degrees and the upper about 30 degrees; gives usable attic space |
| Hip-and-valley roof | Hipped roofs meeting at valleys over L- or T-shaped plans |
| Dutch gable roof | Hip roof with a small gable at the top of each end; ventilates the attic |
| North-light roof | Series of saw-tooth slopes, with the steep glazed face towards the north for even daylight; factories, workshops |
| Butterfly roof | Two slopes falling towards the centre (V shape) with a central gutter |
| Conical / pyramid roof | Slopes meeting at a point over circular or square plans; towers |

```text
 Lean-to       Gable (couple)    Hip
    /|             /\            /--\
   / |            /  \          /    \
  /__|           /____\        /______\

 Mansard           North light
   ____             /|  /|  /|
  /    \           / | / | / |
 /      \         /__|/__|/__|
 |      |
```

#### Advantages
- Quick drainage of rainwater, with less chance of leakage.
- Cheaper for large spans with light coverings; space under the roof for an attic.
- Good in rainy and snowy regions like Nepal.

#### Disadvantages
- Requires more maintenance (repairs), is less fire-resistant, and gives no usable terrace.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. A pitched roof has slope?
   A. More than 10 degrees
   B. Zero
   C. Under 10 degrees
   D. Exactly 5
   Answer: A. It drains rain quickly. (Key point: Pitched definition)

2. What is a mansard roof?
   A. Conical
   B. Saw-tooth
   C. Single slope
   D. Two slopes on each side, lower steep (60-70), upper about 30, gives attic
   Answer: D. The steeper lower slope gives usable attic space. (Key point: Mansard)

3. North-light roof is used for?
   A. Houses
   B. Barns
   C. Towers
   D. Factories and workshops
   Answer: D. Glazed vertical face gives daylight. (Key point: North light)

4. Butterfly roof slopes?
   A. One direction
   B. Fall towards the centre with a central gutter
   C. Four ways
   D. Away from centre
   Answer: B. V-shaped with central gutter. (Key point: Butterfly)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Terms used in a pitched roof](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-terminology) — Building Technology, chapter 4, asked 4×
- [Roof covering materials for pitched roof](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-covering-types) — Building Technology, chapter 4, asked 3×
- [Flat roof versus pitched roof](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aflat-vs-pitched) — Building Technology, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Requirements of good roof; pitched roof types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-requirements-pitch-066j) — Building Technology, chapter 4
- [Timber collar beam roof and roof coverings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Acollar-beam-roof-coverings) — Building Technology, chapter 4

## Related in other subjects

- [Wind pressure on pitched roof on hill](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fdesign_of_steel_and_timber_structure%3Awind-pitched-roof-eaves-10m) — Design of Steel and Timber Structure, chapter 8