How Much Does a Mansard Roof Cost?

What Is a Mansard Roof?

A mansard roof is a unique roofing style that allows for a complete attic. It is sometimes known as a French roof or French Cove roof. It can be considered a hybrid of a gambrel and a hip roof. It extends from the top in all four directions like a hip roof. Like a gambrel, it changes pitch and roof direction from fairly flat to extremely steep. Also, like a gambrel, there are often dormer windows cut into the front and sides of the roof. However, mansards often curve in rather than straight down, giving them a more decorative appearance than a gambrel.

Because of the different pitches, curves, and dormers, mansards can be more expensive to roof than other styles.

Mansard Roof Cost Calculator

Mansard roofs are very unique. How the roof pitch changes and curves means you need more roofing material than the average roof. You also have higher labor costs for the installation because of these features. Adding dormer windows and required flashing ¹ means they are some of the most expensive roofs to install. Below are the average costs to replace 2,000 sq.ft. of roofing on a mansard roof using different material qualities.

Like any roof, mansards can use many materials, from inexpensive asphalt shingles ² to extremely expensive slate shingles. Asphalt and architectural shingles are two of the least expensive ways you can roof a mansard. For the mid-grade, architectural and composite shingles and tiles may be used, while slate shingles are the best quality and more expensive way to cover this roof.

Mansard Roof Pros and Cons

Mansard roofs are highly decorative and are unique to specific architectural styles, such as the Second Empire style. The benefit of using this roof is it gives you a full-sized attic. You can use the attic as a fully finished space, with the ability to walk across the entire space without dealing with a sloped ceiling overhead.

However, despite the curb appeal and increased interior attic space, mansards have some drawbacks. The top of the roof does not have much of a pitch before it becomes an extreme pitch. This can make it hard to remove snow in the winter from the top. You often cannot see the top of the roof from the road, making inspections difficult. The cost of the roof is usually higher due to the pitch, making installation more difficult and increasing the amount of material needed. The dormer windows included in the roof and the inward curve make it time-consuming and expensive to roof.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Flashing: Pieces of sheet metal used on roofs to cover joints, such as where the roof meets the wall, or around a chimney or skylight, to protect them and prevent water leaking through

² Shingles: A smooth, uniform, flat piece of construction material, available in a wide variety of materials and laid in a series of overlapping rows, used to cover the outside of roofs or walls to protect against weather damage and leaks.