Hip Ridge
The external angle formed where two sloping roof planes meet along a line running from the ridge to the eave. Hip ridges require cap shingles and are measured separately from the main ridge in roofing estimates.
What Is a Hip Ridge
A hip ridge is the sloped external angle where two adjacent roof planes meet, running diagonally from the main ridge down to the eave corner, and it requires the same cap shingle treatment as the horizontal ridge at the peak. A standard four-sided hip roof has a main ridge and four hip ridges. The total length of hip ridges often exceeds the length of the main ridge, which means cap shingle quantities on hip roofs are substantially higher than on gable roofs of the same footprint.
Why Hip Ridges Affect the Estimate
Hip ridges increase both material and labor costs. Each hip ridge requires cap shingles, and the shingle courses on either side must be cut at angles where they meet the hip line, generating more waste. A hip roof of the same square footage as a gable roof will have higher per-square costs because of the additional cap shingles, increased cutting waste, and more complex flashing at the hip-to-ridge intersection.
Documenting Hip Ridges
When scoping a hip roof, measure each hip ridge individually and record the linear feet. Verify that the Xactimate estimate includes cap shingles for the main ridge and all hip ridges combined. An estimate that only accounts for the horizontal ridge and omits hip ridge cap is understated. Supplement with a roof diagram showing each hip ridge measurement if the initial scope is short.
Frequently asked questions
A hip ridge is the raised line where two adjacent sloping roof planes meet at an outward angle, running diagonally from the ridge peak down to the eave. It is the defining feature of a hip roof and requires cap shingles for weatherproofing, just like the main ridge.
Hip ridges are measured in linear feet and require cap shingles (same line item as ridge cap). On a hip roof, the total linear feet of cap shingles includes the main ridge plus all hip ridges. A four-hip roof can have significantly more cap shingle footage than a gable roof.
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