Saltbox Slanted Roof

Saltbox roofs look like a patched gable style roof with two sides sloping outwards from a central ridge.

Saltbox slanted roof.

Named for the shape of the container used to hold salt in colonial times these homes have a steeply sloped roof that is much longer on one side than the other. However instead of sloping to the same length one side reaches all the way to the first. A flat roof is more difficult to ventilate as there is no overhang from a roof nor are there gables to insert wall vents. When colonial era families first developed the style though they weren t aiming for aesthetic appeal.

The style originated as a quick economical way to add living space to the back of an existing two story home. Saltbox houses are common in new. A salt box roof is asymmetrical in design with one side being more of slightly sloping flat roof and the other more of a lean to with gables at each end. They arose from the need for more room.

They often include a symmetrical brick chimney too. Saltbox houses are variations of early colonial and cape cod designs. Historic saltbox houses are easily identified by their signature one sided sloped rooflines and simple colonial facades.