Best house extension designs Nottingham and Derby

Discover a range of extension roof options to enhance your Nottingham or Derby home’s appearance. Your roof choice significantly shapes both the exterior and interior of your extension. We’ve curated a list of options, from classic gable and hipped roofs to attention-grabbing planted roofs and unconventional designs, aiming to inspire your design choices.

Understanding Extension Roof Types

“What roof design should I go for for my new house extension?”

“”Which roof design is the best for energy saving and installation?”

”What is the difference in cost between different roof types?”

These are the common questions that we get asked by homeowners when visiting properties in Nottingham and Derbyshire. Quite rightly. People want to know the best roof type for their extension for many reasons. Cost, energy saving, aesthetics and appeal as well as longevity. We will cover the most popular roof designs here. Check out the top 10 roof designs for our Nottingham and Derbyshire homeowners here…

Roof design extension zodiac construction Nottingham Derby


When navigating roof options, consider not only the structure and shape but also the covering that crowns your extension. Key features like roof lanterns or skylights for enhanced aesthetics. This guide breaks down various roof shapes to simplify architectural decisions for your project.

1. Hidden Flat Roof Benefits

You can fully embrace the simplicity and elegance of a flat roof extension. Flat roofs, despite their seemingly straightforward name, provide a sleek and cost-effective solution for single-storey extensions. They offer a wide range of options for coverings, such as metal, felt, single ply membrane, and glass, which can effortlessly complement the addition of roof lanterns.

Moreover, they are perfectly suited for the implementation of green roofs and ensure efficient water runoff. With a Flat Roof Extension, you can create a modern and functional space that effortlessly combines simplicity and practicality.

Nottingham house extension

2. Gable Designs That Have Timeless Appeals

Gable roofs, reminiscent of classic pitched roofs, are wonderfully suited for insulation and can accommodate a wide range of coverings, including clay tiles, slate, shingles, or zinc. Moreover, they offer exciting design possibilities internally, such as captivating vaulted ceilings and inviting double-height spaces.

Gable roof house extension

3. Seamless Elegance with a Catslide Roof

Catslide Roof: Achieve a Seamless Elegance
The catslide roof is an excellent option for extending your home. It extends below the main eaves height and can be covered in thatch or designed to match timber-frame structures. This sleek and sophisticated roof seamlessly blends with your existing architecture, creating a seamless and elegant extension to your home.

Catslide roof type

4. Modern Monopitch Roofing


Popular for lean-to extensions or contemporary designs, monopitch roofs feature a single sloping plane, sometimes called pent roofs or skillion. They’re highly versatile and can be utilized in various architectural styles, making them a preferred choice for many homeowners and designers who seek a sleek and minimalistic look.

Additionally, monopitch roofs are not only visually appealing but also practical, as they offer ample space for the installation of solar panels, making them an eco-friendly and energy-efficient option. With their clean lines and modern aesthetic, monopitch roofs are sure to make a striking statement and enhance the overall appeal of any structure.

Mono pitch roof
(Image credit: David Barbour)

5. Hipster Style with a Hipped Roof Type

This is where practically meets style with a hipped style for house extension roof designs:
Hipped roofs, which were quite popular during the 1920s and 1930s, are an excellent choice for home extensions, particularly for single-storey additions. These roofs are easily recognisable by their distinct trapezoid and triangular faces, and they offer the added benefit of not obstructing any first-floor windows.

Whether you are looking to maintain the original charm of your home or to add a touch of elegance to a new construction project, a hipped roof is the perfect solution. With its unique blend of practicality and style, this type of roof is sure to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your property.

Hip roof design zodiac construction

6. Be Different with a Barrel Roof Design

Barrel-vaulted extensions are a popular choice for homeowners who want to add a touch of unique architectural design to their homes. These extensions feature a curved roof that creates a sense of light and spaciousness in the interior. Barrel roofs enjoy light, bright and airy interiors and can be used alongside some really interesting glazing ideas too.

Barrel roofs are usually formed using glulam timber portal frames or post and beam forms with curved trusses. Surprisingly, for our Nottingham homeowners, this style is becoming more popular.

Although the construction of barrel-vaulted extensions can be costly and requires t more materials and time, the end result is truly stunning. Especially when paired with captivating glazing concepts, these extensions can create an awe-inspiring visual impact that is sure to impress.

Barrel roof design
Credit: Castree

7. Release Your Eco Warrior with a Planted Roof

Embrace Sustainability with a Planted Roof:

Green roofs provide eco-friendly options for roof design, whether they are intensive, extensive, or semi-extensive. They are especially well-suited for flat roofs and can enhance visual appeal. Plus, they can be seamlessly incorporated into the project right from the start.

Eco roof extension
Credit: Sedum Eco Systems

8. Beautiful Glass Skylights


When it comes to adding a contemporary flair to your living or working space, nothing beats the elegance of a glass roof. With a wide range of options available, from skylights to fully glazed structures, you can effortlessly bring natural light into your interior.

Not only do glass roofs brighten up dark spaces, but they also create an illusion of spaciousness, making even low ceilings feel higher. Plus, they offer a more affordable alternative to full glass box structures, without compromising on style or functionality.

Skylight lantern roof extension

9. Angelic Angles with a Hip & Valley Roof


Hip and valley roofs are a popular choice for homeowners looking to add a touch of architectural elegance to their homes. These roofs, which form a ‘T’ or ‘L’ shape plan, are particularly well-suited for two-storey extensions that are built at right angles to the main house. The intricate design of these roofs adds a sense of complexity and sophistication to any property, with intersecting roofs and extra ridges creating a visually stunning effect.

Whether you’re looking to enhance the curb appeal of your home or simply want to add some unique character to your property, a hip and valley roof is a fantastic option to consider for your house extension roof design.

Hip roof design

10. Modern Mansard Style Roof

A Mansard style roof features a distinctive design characterized by its double slope. The lower slope is steep, often nearly vertical, while the upper slope is much shallower. This design creates a nearly flat rooftop, offering a box-like appearance. Typically, the lower slope may contain dormer windows, providing architectural interest and additional interior space.

Originating from 17th-century France, Mansard roofs have a timeless and elegant aesthetic, making them versatile and suitable for various architectural styles. This design is renowned for maximising usable space, accommodating attic living, and contributing to the overall charm of a building.

Mansard roof
Credit: McArharty Metal

The perfect roof design for your home

In conclusion, we hope you have gained an insight into some exciting and beautiful roof designs for your next project.

If you would like to know how you can choose the perfect roof for your home, fill out this 30 second form and start your plans today…

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