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You’ll see “apex” and “reverse apex” a lot when shopping for sheds, log cabins, or summerhouses. They might sound a bit technical, but they’re simply roof designs, and the difference is straightforward. This guide will walk you through what you need to know.
What Does Apex Mean in Roofing?
An apex roof is the classic shed shape, a.k.a. the pointy bit faces the front, and the door sits right under it. You see this style in most garden sheds, usually with ‘Apex’ in the model name to make it clear. Inside, there’s a generous headroom, making it easy to move around without bumping your head.
To give you an idea, have a look at the BillyOh Pro Apex HD Shed. Besides its apex roof design, it has modular door and window panels that you can customise to suit your garden.
On a more technical note, the ridge sits at the highest point, so rain and snow run off quickly. Many shed owners use the extra internal ceiling space for hanging lights or hooks for storage.
What Does Reverse Apex Mean?
A reverse apex is a twist on the classic apex roof. The ridge runs across the width of the shed instead of front to back, hence why you’ll see the door on the long side rather than under the peak. This gives you a wider front face, which can make moving big items in and out a bit easier.
Another good example is the BillyOh Pro Reverse Apex HD Shed. It’s almost the same as the model above, except it has a reverse apex style. This layout works better where your garden or shed base is long and narrow. It sits its back against a fence or wall, and the long side becomes the front.
Which is better?
Neither the apex nor the reverse apex orientation has any significant benefit over the other, unless your specific usage scenario gives you a certain layout requirement. If you needed to have the peak of the roof extending lengthwise away from where you enter (perhaps so a tall object can be easily moved in or out), then the apex would be preferable. However, there are also stylistic or practical reasons to choose a reverse apex, depending on your needs.
Depending on the model, some apex sheds feature a taller doorway opening than a reverse apex shed, as the door in the gable end is able to extend higher than the eaves. (These models would not offer the option for the doors to go in any other position.)
Some suppliers might have named their models an “apex” shed despite it having a reverse apex layout. This is not necessarily incorrect as the shed still has an apex. The terminology is purely descriptive in regards to the building’s orientation, and is not of paramount importance. The label can become more confusing in the instance of a dual entrance shed where there are doors on both the gable and the eaves sides.
BillyOh Modular Sheds Let You Pick Either Setup
Most of our garden sheds are modular, meaning the evenly-sized panels can be arranged so the door goes wherever you want it. You can position the entrance under the peak, on the long side, or even on a corner end. It doesn’t matter if you go for an apex or reverse apex layout; the shed still fits together perfectly.
This makes it much easier to plan for garden spaces or any layout where a standardised door position might not work. Another thing, you can move windows around at the same time to catch the most light or get the best view.
Browse your options here:
Our range of log cabins and summer houses follows the same design features. Both are available with apex and reverse apex roofs – check them out by clicking the buttons below:
[Apex Roof Log Cabins] [Apex Roof Summerhouses]
Conclusion
An apex roof has the door under the front ridge, while a reverse apex puts it along the length. Modular sheds let you move doors and windows around. If you want the flexibility of both, we recommend getting a modular building.
To learn more about the benefits and legal requirements, read this next: Apex or Pent – Which Shed Is Right For You
