Understanding Gable Roofs: Design, Construction, and Pros & Cons

Peaked roofs or pitched roofs are the other names of a gable roof. For a gable roof, it will have two sloping sides which will meet at the peak end of the roof or the ridge portion.

For most of the building types which will include residential homes, garages as well and barns gable roof is the roof design that will be used in general.

If one uses a gable roof then one will easily get enough area for storage or an oratorical.

Due to the reason of its simple design, we can construct this roof very easily. This type of gable roof is not dependent on extreme detailing work therefore the cost of the work gets reduced. Like the shape of A, this roof has a flat-faced A shape in the front or a triangular end.

These roofs help in providing flexibility and ideation.

A multiple gable or single gable can be there for a gable roof while in most cases it has two sloping sides which will form a ridge as that of the triangle.

Cedar, asphalt shingles tiles made of concrete any of this roofing material can be used.

For areas where there are effects of strong wind and rainfall then you need to provide a steeper pitch to the gable roof, then you will be able to withstand the entry of wind.

In many forms of architecture, these gables are used since they give an excellent design to the covering throughout. They help in adding a classical and beautiful aspect and are also used in modern architecture.

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History of Gable Roof

Gable roofs are very ancient roofs they are not a modern roof design. In the ancient Greek culture, they were used for the temples.

After that gable roof was considered as an architectural design in bulk in northern Europe and America. If the gable of the building faces toward the street then it is known as a front-gabled building.

Sidewise buildings having side gabbled will have their ridge parallel to the street and will face it with the gutter.

On the streets of Germany during the medieval Gothic period front gabled buildings were seen normally throughout.

In between the time span of the 14th and 17th centuries that is at the time of the Renaissance period side gabled buildings attained more popularity which was swayed by Italian architecture.

In America, front-gabled houses gained popularity between a time span of early 19th century and 1920.

Life Span of Gable Roof

On the basis of the installation technique and the type of construction material used and accuracy, the life span of this roofing will be variable.

In most cases on the basis of statistical reports, 40 years will be the average life span of the gable roof.

With the provision of an adequate and proper amount of supportive framework, the life span of a gable roof can be increased.

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Estimated Cost of Gable Roof

For each square foot in general the cost of construction will be around $ 8 to $ 16.

For a roof of 1000 square feet, the cost of the roof will be around $ 8000 to around $ 16,000.

The cost will be increased with the use of additional gables and dormers.

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Construction and Components of Gable Roof

On the opposite sides of the ridge of the roof a gable roof will be having two sloping sections.

The topmost point is known as the roof edge and this is formed by placing the sloping sections so that the highest horizontal edges thus forming the topmost point.

Pitch and gutters are present on the roof on the basis of the size of the structure these items size can be varied.

Through the highest point of the roof passes the ridge board it generally passes through there. The ridge board will further be containing the common rafters.

By the usage of nail boards, the top of the common rafters is nailed. In the downward sloping direction, the common rafters are placed which are then nailed to the ceiling joints and the buildings outside portion.

The components of the gable roof are

Eaves

Beyond the outer wall the lower portion of the roof will project. For overhanging a structure these are present at the sides.

It is a perfect place to install the eave of a typical home generally at the attic for providing insulation since it helps in connecting the outside wall to the roof.

Gable

In a roof structure gable are known as the triangular upper parts of the wall these are present at the ends of ridges in roof structures.

Just as same as treatment of classical pediments the gable ends are treated for recent buildings.

Flashing

It is used in order to resist water from entering into the cracks in between the roof covering and the other portions of the structure.

Hip

If the outward angle formed is greater than 180o when the two sloped surfaces join thereby forming a ridge then that area is known as hip.

Ridge

The place where two roof surfaces meet at the horizontal plane then a ridge is placed.

Purlins

For providing support to a principal rafter in a wall-to-wall roof, purlins are provided these are horizontal members.

In order to prevent any kind of damage during the time of installation you need to paint the purlin before setting theme into place.

Fascia

The lowermost roof rests are covered by a material known as fascia.

Rake

It is a part of the roof and it ends over a gable end.

Rafter

It is a structure which will be extending from the support up to the ridge it is a horizontal structural component along the gable roof’s top.

Between each purlin one rafter is placed and multiple rafters are used side by side.

Steel rafters can be used for framing the roof along with common rafters, hip rafters, jack rafters and valley rafters.

Battens

These are thin strips of wood placed on top of the ceiling boards or they can be attached to the common rafters known as battens.

With the help of plastic or metal battens can be made.

For a gable the framing parts will include:

• Plumb Cut
• Ceiling Joist
• Collar Tie
• Birds-mouth Cut
• Double Top Plates
• Tail Cut

Types of Gable Roof

1. Box Gable Roof

At each end of the house, the roof will be having a triangular extension, at the end the roof section will be boxed.

A standard gable roof will have a same design just as box gable roof while it differentiates the triangular section of the design much more.

2. Front Gable Roof

At the front side of a building structure this type of roofing is placed.

The front door of the building is generally arranged at the front end normally under the gable for this type of gable roof.

In the Colonial style construction this is a normal roof design.

3. Cross Gable Roof

Two or more gable rooflines are used for making this roof.

An angle must be forming when the gable roofline are intersecting with each other, in general normally with the two ridges which are placed perpendicular to each other.

This roof has a complex design for its complex formation of shape therefore these roofs are regarded as complex type of gable roof.

You will find these kinds of roofs where the building structures are having separate wings, larger porch as well an attached garage.

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4. Gabler Roof with Additional Shed Roof

To an existing gable roof if extension is required this is typically used as an alteration this is fulfilled by the addition of a shed roof to the gable roof ridge.

In the recent times these roofs have become very popular.

You can also refer this type of roof as hybrid type.

The buildings which have a possibility to be extended in future this type of roofs is adopted there this is so, because more amount of headroom and space can be made available in this type of roof without any kind of full level alteration to the structure thereby properly preserving the appearance at the same go.

5. Dutch Gable Roof

Both gable roof and hip roof designs are incorporated in the design of this types of roofing.

Hybrid roof is also the reference given to the Dutch gable roof.

On the top of the hip roof the gable roof is generally placed for this kind. For providing more space to the loft area of the building this type of roofing is done.

In recent days this is a general roof which is provided to the building this is so done to uplift the aesthetic appearance of the building and it also helps in providing more space.

Advantages of Gable Roof

1. Water Drainage System

A certain angle is provided by the sloped sides of the roof due to which the removal of the water and snow is eased.

Due to this reason, you will be able in reducing the water leakage risk much more.

By reducing the probable occurrence of damage, the roof will be made to last long with the availability of reliable damage system.

2. Easy to Build Technology

As the technology used for building this roof is easy to be built, the construction of the gable roof becomes simple and easy. As compared to other roofs the process for constructing this roof is much easier.

3. Additional Space

As compared to other roof this roof gives availability to more space.

This is so possible due to the roofs triangular design and the owners gets more space.

Homeowners will become benefited from the availability additional attic space and better ventilation can be provided.

4. Affordable and Economical

For people having budget problems this roof is an economical option for them.

As this roof can be build with a simple design and there is very less complexity so the labour cost reduces and the overall cost and installation cost reduces.

5. Wide Range and Simple Materials

You can easily get the construction materials required the construction work of the gable roof will be available easily and you can get when required.

You can easily get varied construction materials choices.

So, you will be able to select the materials on the basis of your available budget and choice.

Disadvantages of Gable Roof

Can get damaged by Wind

In areas where there will be huge possibility of strong wind and hurricanes you must try to avoid gable roof in those areas.

This is so because the presence of its steep pitch makes this roof prone to the damage caused by winds as compared to other roofs.

The roofing materials might get peeled off because the strong winds might sometimes create lot of pressure against the gable.

The upper part of roof creates a trap like structure which in-turn leads to more wind attraction.

Proper Installation and Skilled Labour

Although it is told that the installation process of Gable roof is quite easy but you must use a professional for installation job.

If you use perfect materials for installation and given proper support throughout with frames then the gable roof will last for longer time. You must use a proper framing technique.

If you do not install the framing properly then the roofs will be risk prone to damage.

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