Pyramid Hip Roof

A Pyramid Hip Roof is a special case of a hip roof where the hips come to a single point and do not form a ridge line.  All four faces create triangular ends (faces) to the roof which are all exposed to rain and snow from above and require roofing material.

The specifications of a Pyramid Hip Roof can be defined by a span, pitch and overhang (see diagram). These calculators compute the area, hip ridge lengths and materials required for a pyramid hip roof.

Roofing Materials

The roofing materials to cover a pyramid roof include:

• 4x8 sheathing
• purlins
• underlayment
• shingles (3 tab, architectural and ridge)
• metal panels and trim

Pyramid Hip Roof Geometries

A pyramid hip roof is geometrically a square based pyramid.  The surface area and four hip ridge lengths can be computed using simple trigonometry using the span, including overhang and the pitch. 

The photograph shows two sheds located in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia that have pyramid hip roofs.

Pyramid Hip Roof Calculators

• Shingles for a Pyramid Roof: Number of shingles (normal and ridge), roofing nails and cost estimate.
• 4x8 Sheathing for a Pyramid Roof: Number of 4x8 sheathing needed to cover roof.
• Underlayment for a Pyramid Roof: Square feet of underlayment and estimated cost.
• Metal Panels for a Pyramid Roof: Metal panels, hip ridge trims, and angle.
• Purlins for a Pyramid Roof: Number of rows of purlins and the length of each row.
• Pyramid Roof Geometries: Surface area, volume, lengths of hips, face length, base area of a pyramid.