The A to Z of building a new home... H

Hip RoofsHip Roof is a roof that slopes up from all sides of the structure and is does not have any vertical ends. Hip as it's known is the external angle at which the adjacent sloping sides of a roof meet. The triangular sloping surface formed by hips that meet at a roof's ridge is called a hip end. There are pro's and con's of this type of roof for example;Hip roofs are more stable than other types of roofs such as a gable roof. The inward slope of all four sides is what makes it more structurally sound and durable. This particular roof is very durable and is excellent for both high winds and snowy areas as the slant of the roof allows snow to easily slide off with no standing water. Hip roofs also offer additional living space for vaulted ceilings or an attic, as well as this they also provide more ventilation and the ability to make additions, such as dormers or a crow's nest. However there are some con's to consider when thinking about using a hip roof; they are more expensive to use in comparison to other gable roofs. As it's a more complex design, it requires more building materials.HouseHouses have been around since before 500bc and have changed dramatically over the years. With 8 different designs dating from 500BC we are now in 2016 and the design of current houses are completely different. Britain boasts a large range of period and modern domestic architecture, starting with the numerous amount of Norman houses still standing today. Up until the 17th/18th Century, the general run of houses used local materials, skills and traditions. From the 18th Century, local builders began to make greater use of pattern books/published designs which they could copy, hence bringing the same design and fashions to other parts of the country.Georgian developers began to build terraced houses in unison to fit into towns and later become known as 'Town Houses', which also had impressive squares and crescents. Areas such as Kensingston and Chelsea, much more affluent parts of the London have many town houses that are very well designed and would have used the main elements from the Georgian era. As the Victorian suburban belt spread out around the Georgian developments, terraced housing continued for the poorer end of the market, and semi-detached houses for the middle ranks, but detached house perhaps in the country for the affluent. In the 1920's/1930's the semi-detached house became the favourite plan among speculative builders, but also those that were built by the local council. Today we see many forms of contemporary architecture and technology which has ensured this will be the case for many years to come.