Pyramid, Pavilion and Tented Roofs

A pyramid roof (or pyramid hip roof) is a hip roof built over a square plan, so that all four triangular faces rise to meet at a single apex with no ridge. It is the simplest roof for a square building, and is common on cottages, garden buildings, gazebos, towers and outbuildings.

Related forms

• Pavilion roof: a low-pitched roof hipped equally on all sides over a square or regular polygonal plan, with sides rising to a peak. Often used on pavilions, summerhouses and bandstands.
• Tented roof: a polygonal hipped roof with steeply pitched slopes rising to a peak, like a tent.
• Helm roof: a pyramidal form with gables on each face, often found on church towers.
• Spire: a very tall, slender pyramid or cone topping a tower.

A notable example of a pyramid roof is The Round House in Finchingfield, Essex, England, where a chimney rises through the apex.

Advantages

• Like other hip roofs, pyramid roofs are self-bracing and perform well in high winds.
• All four sides have eaves, sheltering every wall.
• Simple, symmetrical framing with four hip rafters meeting at a central point or king post.

Considerations

• There is no ridge for continuous ridge ventilation, so roof-space ventilation needs alternatives such as a vented apex cap, hip vents or individual vents.
• The apex, where four hips meet, needs a purpose-made cap or finial.
• The roof volume is limited and steep pitches are required for significant attic space.