Gables upon gables, misplaced dormers and disproportional pitches are only some of the design flaws marring American homes today. The homes below work because their rooflines follow a few simple principles of balance, proportion and scale.

Although asymmetrical, this Palo Alto, Calif., cottage works in part because of the matching windows and repeated steep gable roofs that focus attention on the entry.

True to form, this Greek Revival beauty is defined by its columns, impressive portico and low-hipped roof.

This custom bungalow in Chicago welcomes visitors with a Dutch gable parallel — rather than perpendicular — to the street. The shed roof creates a well-integrated, sheltering porch.

A hipped roof sits atop this almost symmetrical Colonial Revival home, with dual dormers, chimneys and columns. To complete the effect, both wings have pyramidal hipped roofs.

Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style, this home uses broad overhanging and cantilevered roof structures to evoke a truly American architectural approach. The result of the series of very low-pitch roofs is a strong feeling of protection.

The main roof pitch flows downward to form this beach house's expansive porch covering. Dormers on either side break up the roof mass.