Gable Roofs

More from the Roofing and Gutters Gallery

Perhaps less artful than a hipped roof, but certainly more practical, a gabled roof has two slopes that come together at the top; each end looks like the letter A. Gable roof consists of two roof surfaces, called roof fields, which are usually rectangular and are the same size and pitch angle. The gable roof is the most popular choice of roofing and because its trusses are less complex, it is the cheapest and simplest type of roof to construct.

Gable roofs designers recommend the 25-45° pitch angle of the roofs as it represents the best angle for the effluxion of the rain water. The line in which both roof surfaces meet is called a ridge or ridge line. The gable roof ridge is of the same length as the longer side of both roof fields. The end gables allow for windows or vent openings for extra ventilation.

The roof pitch determines the space available in the attic. A low pitched roof reduces the headroom in the attic. Conversely, the higher the pitch of the gable, the more headroom. Therefore, a higher pitch provides a very workable living space in your attic. Dormers are commonly added to roofs to provide additional windows to living space constructed in what was traditionally the attic.

In some older styled homes that occupied smaller parcels of land, often found in cities, the attic was outfitted for the servants of the home because it was not well insulated against the cold or the heat and wasn’t as comfortable as the lower floors of a multi-storied house.

Homes with gabled roofs are more likely to suffer damage, such as collapse of the end wall from high winds in cases when they are not braced properly during construction. They can be the worst type of roof to have in hurricane regions because a gable end can catch wind like a sail.

Hip Roofs / Pyramid Hip Roof / Cross Hipped / Mansard Roof / Gable Roofs / Cross Gabled Roofs / Saltbox Roofs / Flat Roofs / Gambrel Roofs