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How Much Does a Mansard Roof Cost?
National Average Range:
$20,000 - $40,000
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Homes featuring a mansard roof have a unique appearance, enhancing the property’s curb appeal. Mansard roofs are a unique structure blending the gambrel and hip roof to create a full-sized attic. These roofs often include dormer windows, curves, and other decorative features that make them more difficult to roof. They can feature many materials, including asphalt, slate, tile, and composite.
The national average cost to install new roofing on an existing mansard roof is $20,000 to $40,000, with most homeowners paying around $30,000 to install 2,000 sq.ft. of composite roofing shingles on a mansard roof. This project’s low cost is $15,000 for installing 2,000 sq.ft. of asphalt shingles on a mansard roof. The high cost is $50,000 to install 2,000 sq.ft. of slate shingles on a mansard roof.
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.
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Mansard Roof Costs
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|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Standard | Best Quality | |
| Mansard Roof Cost (Material Only) | $6,000 - $7,000 | $8,000 - $24,000 | $24,000 - $30,000 |
| Mansard Roof Installation Cost (Labor Only) | $11,000 - $12,000 | $14,000 - $18,000 | $16,000 - $20,000 |
| Total Costs | $17,000 - $19,000 | $22,000 - $42,000 | $40,000 - $50,000 |
| Mansard Roof Cost per Sq.Ft. | $8.50 - $9.50 | $11.00 - $21.00 | $20.00 - $25.00 |
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.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Lifespan. The lifespan of a mansard roof is dictated by the materials you install on it. This can range from 20 to 200 years.
- Maintenance. Maintenance is also determined by the materials. Generally, roof inspections and gentle cleaning are all that are regularly required.
- Flashing. Your mansard roof requires a lot of flashing. Flashing is installed around protrusions, such as chimneys and dormer windows. Flashing costs $15 to $25 a linear foot.
- Roof deck. If your mansard roof is old or you are using a heavy material that requires a new deck, you have additional costs of $800 to $2,800 on most roofs.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of a mansard roof?
Mansard roofs give you a full attic space beneath them. This increases the amount of storage or living space.
- What is the difference between a gambrel and mansard roof?
Mansard roofs are like a hybrid of a gambrel and a hip roof. Like the gambrel, it changes pitch, but it extends on all four sides like a hip roof. Many mansards also curve inward in a cove.
- How long does it take to build a mansard roof?
Mansard roofs take longer to build than other types of roofs. Expect it to take from 4 days to 2 weeks, depending on the method used.
- What pitch is a mansard roof?
Mansard roofs have two pitches. The first is roughly 30º. This is the top section of the roof. It then changes to about 70º, pitching downward.
Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full 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.
How much does it cost to install a mansard roof in my city?
Cost to install a mansard roof varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
Updated:
The information provided by our cost guides comes from a great variety of sources, including specialized publications and websites, cost studies, U.S. associations, reports from the U.S. government, contractors and subcontractors, material suppliers, material price services, and other vendor websites. For more information, read our Methodology and sources
