Mansard Roof Architecture

Interestingly in europe mansard can also refer to the attic space and not just the roof structure.

Mansard roof architecture.

If you are not familiar with a gambrel roof then let us first explain its architecture in brief. A mansard or mansard roof also called a french roof or curb roof is a four sided gambrel style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope punctured by dormer windows at a steeper angle than the upper. In cross section the straight sided mansard can appear like a gambrel roof but it differs from the gambrel by displaying the same profile on all sides. Thus this roof architecture was christened as the mansard roof in his honor.

There is a sort of visible distinction between flat roofs and mansard roofs. Mansard is a four sided roof with double slopes on each side so its sides can either be curved or flat. Simply put the mansard roof also known as the french roof or curb roof is a hybrid between a gambrel roof and a hip roof. The steep roof with windows creates an additional floor of habitable space a garret and reduces the overall height of the roof for a given number of habitable stories.

The popularity of the mansard roof kept on growing in france and became even more fashionable during the reign of napoleon the 3rd 1852 1870. Mansard roof type of roof having two slopes on every side the lower slope being considerably steeper than the upper. The mansard roof was popularized by the famous french architect francois mansart 1598 1666 who used this distinctive style in many of his works. You can consider gambrel roof to be a modified version of a gable roof.

During the baroque period 1600 1750 he used this technique of roofing extensively to create chateaus and grand townhouses which caught the eyes of the people.