Most Common Roof Types in Minnesota

It’s crucial to know what roof types in Minnesota perform the best. This is so, as the design and material of a roof can affect the overall performance of the roof. Hence, your decision is crucial for protecting you and your loved ones from external elements.
Apart from this, choosing the right type of roof helps avoid costly repairs as well as managing energy costs. Whether you prefer the durability of a hip roof or love the classic design of a gable roof, it’s advisable to learn about the most common types of roofs in Minnesota.
Below, we have explained various types of roofs depending on their roofing material and design.
Roof Types by Materials
To meet the unique needs of our customers, we offer a wide range of roofing materials. From asphalt shingles to metal roofs, you name it, we have it. If you are searching for the best roof types for Minnesota homes, you can count on us. We can offer you the most suitable option that fits both your budget and design preference.
Some of the widely preferred roof types by material are listed below:
- Asphalt Shingles
- Metal Roofing
- Cedar Shakes
- Synthetic Composite
Asphalt Shingles
This type of roofing material offers additional strength and protects your home from the harshness of the Minnesota weather. Asphalt shingles are suitable for almost all types of roof designs, making them a highly suitable roof material option in MN.
Asphalt is a durable material offering extended life to your roof. Besides, it also offers a versatile and unique curb appeal. This is the reason why the majority of Minnesota homeowners choose this material.
If you are looking for a roofing material to minimize outdoor noise, asphalt shingles serve as a perfect option. Apart from this, there are various other benefits of using asphalt shingles, including:
- Available in a variety of textures and colors
- Energy efficient
- Cost-effective
- Resistant to strong winds
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is another type of roofing that is quite popular among Minnesota homeowners. This material has an excellent fire-resistant rating, which ensures better protection against fire. Metal roof installation in Minnesota is also preferred due to its low maintenance cost.
Here are some other reasons to consider our Minnesota metal roofing services:
- Durability
- Energy efficiency
- Longevity
- Safety
- Environmentally friendly
We are a renowned Minnesota metal roofing contractor, known for offering the highest quality roofing materials. Specifically, when you need the best metal roofing contractor in Minnesota, Grand Exteriors is the name to trust. We are always there to meet your metal roofing needs.
Cedar Shakes
This is another type of roofing material that offers better protection to your home against harsh Minnesota weather. It has been a popular material in the roofing industry since the late 1800s. Many owners like this material due to its pest-resistant and waterproof capabilities.
Cedar shakes are also available in a variety of colors, sizes, and finishes. This roofing material offers extensive design versatility, which allows you to create a roofing style of your choice. Due to its resistance to Minnesota weather, cedar ensures longevity and durability.
Cedar is an eco-friendly material that requires minimal maintenance. For an elegant look, you need to apply a coat of water-repellent stain every five years.
For these reasons, cedar is a highly suitable roofing material for roof installation in Minneapolis.
Below are a few other advantages of using cedar shakes:
- Pleasant smell
- Visual appeal
- Better insulation
- Repels insects
- Increased convenience
- Lightweight
Synthetic Composite
Apart from offering cedar and metal roofing in Minnesota, we also work in synthetic composite roofing. It’s a premium-quality and high-performance roofing material. It is known to exhibit exceptional resilience against Minnesota’s rugged climate.
This type of roofing material is made from recycled materials and engineered polymers. These tiles are made to resist the specific challenges, including hailstorms, heavy snow, and rain. Hence, making it a perfect Minnesota roofing material.
Here are some other benefits of synthetic composite roofing:
- Prevents moisture, rot, and moss growth
- Offers a luxurious look
- Lightweight yet durable
- Withstands freeze-thaw cycles
- Affordable
Roof Types by Design or Style
Roofs come in a variety of designs and shapes. However, some designs are more common than others. Below are a few of the most commonly seen roof styles in Minnesota:
- Gable
- Flat
- Hip
Gable Roof
Gable is among the most popular residential roof types in Minnesota. It has a unique and distinctive design with two slopes meeting at the top. These sloping sides form a triangular extension on each side of the roof. Gable roofs are relatively cheap and easy to install. Besides, gable roofs ensure proper drainage.
Common Types of Gable Roofs
These are widely preferred gable roof types in MN.
Side Gable:It’s a classic and most popular gable roof style. The roof is constructed with two sloping sides, which meet at a central ridge. A triangular gable is observed on each side of the house.
Front Gable: As the name suggests, the gable is located at the front side of the house. This roof style is used when it’s required to highlight the porch area or entrance of the house.
Cross Gable: This type of gable roof is created when two or more gables of the roof meet at the right angle (90 degrees). Usually, cross gables are used for homes with a relatively complex layout.
Dutch Gable:It’s a hybrid roof type where a gable roof is placed on a hip roof. You see a small section called Gablet on the top of a hip. This roof style offers additional space for ventilation and natural light.

Flat Roof
A flat roof is among the most preferred commercial roof types in Minnesota. This type of roof is almost horizontal with a low pitch. Flat roofs are less expensive when it comes to installation. Also, flat roof repair in Minnesota costs less than other roof types.
Flat roofs have a low pitch and a level surface. These roofs are affordable and require less roofing material when compared to sloped roofs. In addition, these roofs require less maintenance and are easy to clean due to better accessibility.
Common Types of Flat Roofs
Being one of the top flat roof roofers in Minnesota, we work with a variety of flat roof types. A few of these include:
Tar and Gravel Roofs:These are among the oldest roofing systems, which consist of multiple layers of asphalt-saturated felt and tar. The upper layer consists of gravel or river stones.
Modified Bitumen (Mod-Bit):It’s an evolutionary form of the BUR roof and is available in the shape of rolls. Asphalt is used as a base material and often modified with rubber or plastic compounds. Hence, this type of roofing material offers additional strength and flexibility.
EPDM (Rubber Roofing):It’s a roofing material that consists of a synthetic rubber membrane. They are often seen as white or black sheets on both residential and commercial roofs. The seams between the sheets are sealed with industrial-grade adhesive or special tape.
TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin): Currently, it’s one of the most famous roof types in Minnesota. It’s a heat-welded, single-ply membrane. It looks identical to PVC but tends to be an environmentally friendly alternative to other types of roofing materials.
Hip Roof
This roof style consists of a single vertical side with slopes on all sides. Technically, the term ‘Hip’ is the name of the section where one section of a roof meets the other. Hip roofs come in different types and sizes.
There are slopes on all sides, offering an enclosed and solid structure. Hip roofs are highly durable and stable, making them resistant to high winds and storms. These roofs are also preferred for their excellent drainage capability.
Common Types of Hip Roofs
Here are some common types of hip roofs.
Simple Hip Roof:This is the most common type of hip roof, which comes with a rectangular footprint. Besides, there are two trapezoidal and two triangular sides.
Half-Hip Roof:It’s a hybrid of gable and hip roof. In this design format, the upper section of a gable roof is clipped to create a small hip. Hence, you get an aesthetically perfect blend of gable and hip roofs with an extended level of stability.
Cross-Hip Roof::This type of roof is created when there is an intersection between two hip roof sections, forming a 90-degree angle. A cross-hip roof structure is normally seen on homes with a T-shaped or L-shaped footprint.
Your One-Stop-Shop for the Best Roof Types in Minnesota
Once you have gone through the above-listed roof types in Minnesota, it won’t take long for you to choose the most suitable option for your residential or commercial building. Besides, as a local expert, Grand Exteriors is always there to assist you.
We don’t just offer roof installation services but also ensure peace of mind for Minnesota homeowners. Ready to protect your home with a roof designed for our weather? Schedule your free estimate with Grand Exteriors today and experience the difference!