The most common childhood memories of school drawing are a square house with a triangle on the top, and that's the gable roof. A gable roof is one of the most preferred roof styles in the US due to its simple design and several other factors discussed later in the article. The number of gables depends on the size and style of the house- single gable for small homes and double for bigger homes. In this blog, we discuss everything you should know about gable roofs- types, factors to consider before installing gable roofs, benefits, and drawbacks.
What is a Gable Roof?
A gable roof is also known as a pitched or peaked roof, whose two pitched sides of the roof meet at the middle of the house, forming a triangle. The ridge where two pitched sides of the roof meet should be parallel to the length of the house. Gable roofs are often preferred for regions with heavy snowfall because the sloped sides of the roof easily shed water and snow, which prevents water and snow accumulation on the roof. As a result, the structural integrity of the roof is protected.
Points to Consider Before Choosing a Gable Roof
Climatic Condition
The climate of the area where you live hugely affects the roofing choice. If the area witnesses heavy rain or little snow, a gable roof can prove to be a great choice. This is because gable roofs shed water and snow. However, if the area faces strong winds or acute snowfall, give a second thought before opting for a gable roof.
Home's Style
Consider a home's style and see if a gable roof can complement the home's design.
Budget
One of the important factors to consider is the budget. Though the initial cost may be low due to its simple design, the maintenance cost could be higher if staying in an extreme climatic region. The best way to invest wisely is to get quotes from different contractors and compare the rates. This will help you get the eBay market rate.
Different Types of Gable Roofs
Front Gable
This roof resembles the child's simple drawing depicting a triangle over a square roof. As the name suggests, the gable is at the front of the house, facing the street. These roofs are seen in mostly Colonial style homes and even Cape Cod and Victorian style homes.
Dutch Gable Roof
It is a combination of the conventional gable roofs and hip roofing style. Hip roofs have equal slope on all four sides of the roof, and a beautiful pitch is formed with four sides. The best feature of Dutch roofs is that you can install a gable roof on top of the hip roof, which provides higher stability to the roofing system.
Side Gable Roof
The side gable roof has gables on the two sides of the roof- one slope facing the street and the other slope facing the back of the house. These roofs are best suited for Colonial, Federal, or National style homes. Modular or manufactured homes also have side gabled roofs.
Box Gable Roof
As the name suggests, box gable roofs have a boxed look that adds a pop of visual appeal and architectural depth. Boxed gable roofs have a perfect blend of the design of an open gable and a Dutch gable roof. It extends a classic look mostly seen in Colonial and Victorian homes.
Cross Gable Roof
This is a gable roof where two gable roof lines intersect at right angles, creating a stunning and unique design. It is an amalgamation of functionality with charm as it adjusts to larger porches. Homeowners prefer cross gable roofs as they create additional attic space for storage.
Gambrel Gable Roof
It looks like a mansard roof with a more complex shape. The sides of the gambrel roof have two different slopes, mostly seen on barns.
Saltbox Gable Roof
These roofs have an open gable roof where both roofs have different slopes- one extends more than the other. These homes have more space than open gable roofs.
Advantages of a Gable Roof
-
It is an affordable roofing option owing to its simple design, which requires less material and skill to install.
-
The biggest advantage is that it can shed water, snow, or debris due to the steep slope, which makes it a durable option.
-
It has minimal maintenance if installed properly. This is because it can shed weather elements, which puts less burden on roofs.
-
The attic space creates more storage space.
-
Gable roofs ensure better airflow, which helps in maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
Disadvantages of Gable Roof
-
Gable roofs have a simple design; hence, there is limited curb appeal.
-
If gable roofs are not installed properly, they can cause major problems during hurricanes or storms. Therefore, professional installation is advisable for better durability.
-
It needs strong structural support to bear the additional weight, which in turn can increase the construction cost.
-
There could be architectural challenges because the shape of the roof and the height of the indoor walls may not match perfectly. In such a situation, you may have to bear additional installation charges to fix the issue.
Conclusion
A gable roof is an affordable and simple roofing option for homeowners. If you are sorting roof designs for your homes, assess the advantages and disadvantages of a gable based on the information provided in the article. There are factors that affect the functionality and aesthetic of a gable, which should be considered.
