🏠 Why Is It Called a Hip Roof? Origins, Meaning & Advantages

Curious about where the term hip roof came from—and why it’s aptly named? This in-depth guide explains:

1. Etymology & meaning
2. Distinctive structure & design
3. Historical use and evolution
4. Benefits vs. other roof types
5. Variations and regional adaptations
6. Modern applications and trends

Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or architecture enthusiast, this comprehensive post covers everything you need to know about the hip roof and its name—covering its history, function, and appeal.

1. Understanding the Term “Hip” in Hip Roof

In roofing, the word “hip” refers to an exterior angle—specifically, the line formed where two roof planes meet at a corner and slope downward away from the structure’s top.

This key structural feature is present in every corner of a hip roof, which has slopes on all four sides meeting at hips, rather than vertical gable walls. A hip roof is literally named after the multiple “hips” that define its shape. These hips are formed where the sides of the roof intersect diagonally and slope toward the eaves.

2. Defining a Hip Roof: Structure & Characteristics

A hip roof is defined by:

• Four sloping sides, each descending toward the home’s walls
• No vertical end or gable, unlike gable roofs with two vertical walls
• The presence of hip rafters along the external corners and jack/common rafters completing the slope

For rectangular homes, two sides are triangular and two are trapezoidal; square plans often feature a pyramid hip roof, with four equal triangles meeting at a peak.

3. History & Evolution of the Hip Roof

Ancient Beginnings

Hip roofs have origins dating to ancient Roman and Greek architecture, designed to effectively shed water and resist wind due to their slopes.

Medieval & Renaissance Architecture

These roof types became more widespread during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, appearing in Gothic cathedrals, castles, and large European estates. They added structural stability and a balanced aesthetic to stone buildings.

East Asian architecture also embraced hip roofs. Japanese temples, for example, often feature the irimoya-zukuri, a hip-and-gable style used as early as the 6th century.

Colonial North America

Hip roofs became a signature of Georgian and French Colonial architecture. Their strong wind resistance and consistent eaves made them ideal for the climates in the American South and Mid-Atlantic.

One of the oldest surviving hip-roof structures in the United States is the Block House built in 1654 in Delaware.

4. Why Everyone Built Hip Roofs: Functionality & Naming

The word “hip,” referring to the external corner of a roof where slopes meet, became a natural label for this style of roofing. Several factors led to its popularity and widespread use:

• Stronger wind resistance – Four slopes reduce wind uplift and resist damage
• Efficient drainage – Multiple angles allow rain and snow to slide off evenly
• Symmetrical aesthetics – The shape provides a clean, balanced look around the entire structure

These qualities, all tied to the structure’s hips, explain why the term “hip roof” became standard.

5. Hip Roof vs. Gable Roof: What Makes the Name Work

Gable roofs have two sloping sides and a vertical triangular wall at each end called a gable.
Hip roofs, by contrast, have no vertical ends—just continuous sloping surfaces on all four sides.

Because hip roofs are defined by the structural feature at each corner—the hips—they get their name from the diagonal ridges that run down from the peak to the eaves. Gable roofs are named after their gables; hip roofs are named after their hips. It’s as simple as that.

6. Variations of Hip Roofs: Not All Hips Are Equal

Over centuries and across regions, hip roofs developed several variations:

1. Pyramid (Pavilion) Hip Roof

All four sides are the same size and meet at a single apex, forming a pyramid shape. Common on square buildings.

2. Cross-Hipped Roof

Two hip roofs intersect at a 90-degree angle, typically on L- or T-shaped floor plans. These require additional valleys for drainage.

3. Dutch Gable Roof (Gablet)

A hip roof topped with a small gable. This adds attic space and ventilation while maintaining hip roof stability.

4. Half-Hip Roof (Jerkin Head)

A gable roof where the upper portion of the gable is “clipped” and sloped downward. This creates a hybrid between gable and hip designs.

5. Mansard Roof

A hip roof with two slopes on each side, the lower one being steeper. Often used to add a full upper story to a house.

6. Tented Roof

Commonly used on towers and gazebos, this variant has steeply sloped triangular surfaces that meet at a single high point.

7. The Construction Anatomy: Hips, Rafters & Trusses

Understanding how hip roofs are constructed reinforces why they’re named for their hips:

• Hip rafters: Run diagonally from each wall corner to the roof ridge or peak
• Jack rafters: Extend from a hip rafter to the eaves
• Common rafters: Run from the ridge board to the eaves along the main roof planes
• The hip: The exterior angled line formed where adjacent sloping roof sections meet

The combination of these parts creates the stable and symmetrical structure that defines a hip roof.

8. Benefits Built Into the Name

Hip roofs aren’t just structurally distinct—they offer clear advantages that made them a staple of architecture across centuries:

• Wind resistance: Their sloping sides make them more aerodynamic, ideal in hurricane-prone areas
• Rain and snow runoff: All sides slope downward, which improves drainage and prevents buildup
• Stability: The self-bracing design is stronger than a gable roof, especially for wider spans
• Uniform eaves: With eaves on all sides, they offer better shading and protection from the elements
• Versatile appearance: Works well with various materials—shingles, metal, clay tile, and more

9. Regional Use & Cultural Adaptation

Hip roofs have appeared in almost every corner of the world:

• Europe: Frequently used in France, Germany, and the UK for manor houses, cottages, and castles
• North America: Common on Colonial, Georgian, and Prairie-style homes
• Caribbean and Gulf regions: Preferred in areas prone to tropical storms
• East Asia: Hip roofs feature prominently in traditional temples and shrines
• Australia and New Zealand: Often used in bungalows for their ventilation and durability

Each region adapted the design to local needs—steeper angles in snowy climates, wide eaves in hotter ones, and layered variations for maximum space.

10. Modern Relevance: Why the Hip Roof Still Matters

Despite centuries of evolution in architecture, the hip roof remains one of the most popular roof styles in the world today. Here’s why:

• Timeless curb appeal
• Compatibility with modern roof trusses and engineering systems
• Support for solar panel installation
• More usable space with dormers or modified hips
• Great performance in high-wind zones

In neighborhoods across the United States and beyond, hip roofs are seen on ranch homes, modern farmhouses, luxury estates, and even commercial buildings.

Final Thoughts: The “Hip” That Started It All

So, why is it called a hip roof?

Because it’s defined by the hips—those sloped exterior corners where roof planes intersect. These hips provide structural strength, visual symmetry, and environmental protection. From ancient temples to modern homes, hip roofs continue to prove their worth.

Whether you’re building new, remodeling, or just love architecture, knowing the origin of the name “hip roof” helps you appreciate not just the look, but the legacy behind this timeless roofing style.