Cross Gabled Roof

Costs
Durability
History

Popular Roofing and Gutters Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers

One of the most dramatic and interesting roofs available is the cross gabled roof. It may be more complicated and expensive than other roofing types, but many believe that the end result is well worth it. Here is some more information to help you decide if a cross gabled roof is the right style for your home.

Costs

Certainly more complicated to build than regular gable roofs, the cost of a cross gabled roof depends on the type and quality of the materials used, the size of the home, and the cost of labor. Contact a local roofer for price quotes and more information.

Pros

Cross gabled roofs add a striking aesthetic appeal to a variety of homes.

Its slope allows for easy water run-off.

Cross gabled roofs allow for a more complex home layout.

Cons

Cross gabled roofs are more complicated and more expensive to build than other types of roofs.

They may sustain considerable damage in high winds.

Durability

Cross gabled roofs, like regular gable roofs, are considered a great roofing choice when it comes to encouraging water runoff from big rain or snow storms. However, in areas that experience severe storms and hurricanes, they simply can’t withstand the high winds. Other than that, the overall durability depends on the materials used to build the roof.

Common Questions and Answers

What are the characteristics of a cross gabled roof?

A cross gabled roof has additional sections (wings) crossing perpendicular to the main section, meeting in a valley, each with its own peaked or gabled facade. A normal gable house is a simple rectangle, and a cross gabled roof allows a more complex shape, and therefore a more complex layout.

Often, the main part of the house will have a gabled roof, while the cross gabled roof on the extended portion will be lower than the main part.

What style of home utilizes the cross gable roof?

Shingle and Bungalow-style homes often have cross gabled roofs. Some architectural forms, particularly the Bungalow and Shingle styles, expose the cross gabling trusses and beams. This has become a trend in many types of contemporary architecture because it provides a rustic flavor to the architecture that also gives rooms a lofty or voluminous feel.

History

Cross gabled roofs became common with the Gothic Revival style that was popular in the United States between 1855 and 1870. Other types of architecture that were characterized in part by their cross gabled roofs include Stick (circa 1870-1890), in which the style’s typical decorative trusses are found, as well as the Tudor revival (circa 1920-1940), characterized by a steeply pitched end or cross gabled roof.