Which type of roof provides better drainage due to its slope?

A hip roof is designed with slopes on all four sides that meet at a ridge or a peak. This design facilitates effective water drainage because the sloped sides allow rainwater and snow to run off easily. Each slope directs water towards the gutter system, reducing the likelihood of water pooling on the roof, which can be problematic for flat roofs, where drainage is not inherently efficient.

In contrast, flat roofs have a minimal slope, which can lead to water accumulation if not properly designed with a drainage system. Shed roofs, while sloped, typically only have a single pitch, which may limit the drainage efficiency compared to hip roofs. Gable roofs have two sloped sides, and while they do provide better drainage than flat roofs, they may not encompass the same amount of slope and directionality towards drainage as hip roofs do. Thus, the design of a hip roof distinctly contributes to better overall drainage performance.