To create a roof in SketchUp using a verified plugin, the most reliable and widely used options are Roof by TIG (available via SketchUcation) and 1001bit Tools. These plugins automate complex geometry that would otherwise require tedious manual work with the "Follow Me" or "Protracter" tools. Top Recommended Plugins
Roof by TIG: A free, comprehensive toolset for creating Hip, Gable, Mansard, and Pyramid roofs.
1001bit Tools (Freeware/Pro): Includes a popular "Automatic Create Hip Roof" feature that works by selecting a top face and defining the slope.
Instant Roof NUI: A highly customizable professional option for framing, materials, and complex slopes.
SketchPlus: A paid extension featuring a "one-click" hip roof generator that allows you to set slopes by moving the mouse. Step-by-Step Guide: Using "Roof by TIG"
Since Roof by TIG is the industry standard for free, verified roof generation, here is how to use it: 1. Download & Installation
Source: Visit the SketchUcation PluginStore and search for "Roof".
Install: In SketchUp, go to Extensions > Extension Manager. Click Install Extension and select the .rbz file you downloaded. 2. Creating the Roof
Select Surface: Draw the footprint of your building and select the top face.
Launch Plugin: Go to Extensions > Roof and choose the style (e.g., Hip, Gable, or Mansard).
Configure Parameters: A dialog box will appear. Enter your desired Slope (degrees or pitch), Overhang width, and Thickness.
Generate: Click "OK" or "Create". The plugin will automatically generate the 3D geometry. 3. Refinement
| Feature | Status | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Roof Pitch Input | ✅ Verified | Pitch can be entered as ratio (e.g., 6:12) or degrees. Real-time preview works. | | Overhang Creation | ✅ Verified | Overhang is generated uniformly. Manual adjustment of individual eaves is supported. | | Fascia & Gutter | ✅ Verified | Profiles are correctly extruded along roof edges. No flipped faces observed. | | Intersection Handling | ✅ Verified | Valley and hip lines are cleanly calculated on L-shaped and T-shaped footprints. | | Dormer Cutting | ⚠️ Partial | Auto-cut works for simple dormers; complex dormers require manual fixing of intersecting planes. | | Parametric Editing | ✅ Verified | Roof updates correctly when footprint or pitch is changed (no orphaned geometry). | roof plugin sketchup verified
Based on stability, update frequency, and geometric output, three plugins have been verified for professional use:
The "Verified" status for a SketchUp Roof Plugin comes down to Editability.
If you are still manually drawing lines for complex roofs, you are operating at a deficit. Our verification process highlights that the modern plugin ecosystem has solved the "frozen geometry" problem. You can generate a hip roof, realize the span is too wide, adjust the span parameter, and have the ridge height adjust instantly.
For the professional user, the recommendation is clear: Move away from geometry generation and focus on data generation. Use plugins that create roofs containing metadata—thickness, material, and IFC classification.
Status Update: As of this writing, plugins supporting SketchUp 2023/2024 API standards have resolved the texture alignment issues that plagued previous versions, ensuring that shingle textures now align correctly with slope angles automatically.
Have you integrated a roof plugin into your BIM workflow? Let us know in the comments which tool passed your own "Solid Test."
The most significant "verified" feature for SketchUp roofing is the Instant Roof NUI extension by Vali Architects
. It is widely recognized for its ability to automate complex roof geometry that is difficult to create manually. Top Feature: Automated Multi-Style Generation The standout feature is the "Make Roof"
command, which allows you to select a face and automatically generate a complete roof with complex components. Diverse Presets
: Includes high-detail styles like Craftsman, Ski Lodge, California Ranch, and Elizabethan. Detailed Framing
: Automatically generates rafters, beam ends, corbels, and Greek returns. Customization
: Users can create custom detail styles from scratch or modify existing ones to save for future use. Complex Geometry Support To create a roof in SketchUp using a
: Handles advanced roof types including Mansard, Gambrel, Dutch Gable, and Split-Pitch. Key Performance Benefits
: Users can model complex structures, such as a ski lodge roof, in roughly 8 minutes. Material Integration
: The tool adds thickness and realistic details to materials like shingles or standing seam metal. UI Versatility
: The "NUI" version (New User Interface) includes an image-based menu button for easier selection of styles and materials.
Instant Roof Nui - SketchUp Extension Review | SketchUpFamily SketchUp family
For architects and 3D modelers using SketchUp, manual roof modeling is often the most time-consuming part of a project. "Verified" roof plugins are essential because they ensure compatibility with current SketchUp versions (like 2024–2025) and offer stable, production-ready features.
The following plugins are widely recognized as the top verified options for creating professional-grade roofs in SketchUp. 1. Instant Roof Pro (by Vali Architects)
Instant Roof Pro is widely considered the industry standard for professional roofing in SketchUp. It is verified and available through the SketchUp Extension Warehouse.
Primary Use: Creating high-detail architectural roofs with realistic textures and framing. Key Features:
Extensive Styles: Includes presets for Dutch Gable, Hip, and Mansard roofs.
Detailed Elements: Automatically generates gutters, rafters, beams, and realistic shingles (Mission tile, flat tile, standing seams).
Efficiency: Features a "Cad Fixer" to clean up geometry from imported CAD files. Have you integrated a roof plugin into your BIM workflow
Pricing: Offered as a yearly subscription for approximately $39. 2. Roof by TIG
Available through the SketchUcation PluginStore, Roof by TIG is a legendary free extension that has been updated to maintain compatibility with the latest SketchUp versions.
Primary Use: Quickly generating roof geometry on complex or irregular building footprints. Key Features:
Simplicity: Select a face, choose a roof type, and the plugin generates the geometry.
Variety: Supports Hip, Mansard/Sprocket, Gable ended, and Pyramid roof styles.
Tool Suite: Includes a slope measurement tool to ensure architectural accuracy. Pricing: Free (donations encouraged). 3. 1001bit Tools (Standard & Pro)
1001bit Tools is a comprehensive suite for architects that includes dedicated roof generation modules.
Verified for: SketchUp 2021-2024 (Windows & Mac)
Vali is frequently verified by the Extension Warehouse "Trusted Tester" badge. Unlike Medeek (which focuses on framing), Vali focuses on architectural massing.
Why it is verified: It works perfectly with SketchUp’s native Section Cut tool and LayOut viewports.
Key Roofing Features:
Best for: Architects producing planning permission drawings who need a roof that looks correct in elevation.
Price: One-time purchase ($69) – high value for small firms.