Types of Gable Roofs

Published on Tuesday November 9, 2021

With more and more roofing styles hitting the market, it can be difficult for a homeowner to know which is the best. There are a lot of factors to consider: protection, longevity, style, and more. Of course, all of these are also dependent on the house itself, too.

Gable roofs (also known as pitched or peaked roofs) are one of the most popular roofing styles in the U.S. today. It’s clear why: a gable roof offers solid protection while still being a stylish aesthetic choice.

What is a Gable Roof?

A gable roof is a roof style that typically has two large sloped sides starting at the ridge that extends all the way down to the end. These two sides meet to create end walls that look like a triangle. This is called the gable.

Because of its triangular shape, the gable is also referred to as the “A-shaped” part of the wall between the two sloped sides. These two sides don’t necessarily have to be perfectly even — they can be different sizes based on the structure itself. It’s not uncommon for some buildings to even have more than one gable.

These two sloped sides are on each side of the roof. At the top is where the two horizontal edges meet to create the roof ridge (also known as the “top point”). For the gutters that rest on a gable roof, the size will depend on the size of the structure. Because of this, gable roof gutters are available in several different sizes.

Another key part of the gable roof structure is the ridge board. This board is at the highest peak and runs along the entirety of the roof. It should be consistent with the exterior walls of the building it is attached to. Another way to visualize the ride board is to think about what common rafters are connected to. Rafters are beams that extend from the top in a downward slope.

Types of Gable Roof Designs

Deciding to replace a roof itself can be overwhelming, let alone having to iron out all the minor details. Taking the step and deciding on a roof type is a great start, but a homeowner then also has to sift through all the types of gable roof designs. There are five different types of gable roofs, all with their own pros and cons.

Box Gable Roof

A box gable roof is a roof design that has the aforementioned triangular extension on both sides of the structure, and also features a section of the roof that is boxed at its end. This style draws more attention to the triangle shape, making it a stylistic choice.

Cross Gable Roof

A cross gable roof is a roof design that features at least two (or more) gable rooflines that come together at an angle. This typically happens when two ridges are perpendicular to each other. Houses with complicated layouts usually have this style. They are usually complicated because this style has a shape change a cross gable has. These home layouts will usually have wings, attached garages, or even possibly bigger porches or decks.

Dutch Gable Roof

A Dutch gable roof is a roof design that is a combination of a gable roof style and a hip roof style. It usually has the gable roof part placed on the hip roof, which creates a larger loft area. This style is one of the most popular, thanks to its aesthetic appeal while adding more space to a home.

Front Gable

A front gable roof is a simple roof design that has a gable roof on the front of a home. In this design, it will typically have the front door resting just under the gable. This style traces back to early Colonial homes but is getting modern attention as well.

Side Gable

A side gable is the standard gable roof. It features two even panels (or sides) that come together at an angle. Each side hits the gable at the ridge in the center of the structure. The triangle area that appears underneath, can be left as is or can be enclosed as a boxed style if desired.

Is a Gable Roof Right for your Home?

To determine if a gable roof is right for your home, it’s important to consider all the pros and cons.

Pros

Easy Build

Depending on the project, a roof can take some time to be fixed or replaced. However, a strong pro for a gable roof is that they are a pretty simple build, making the entire process much faster.

Drainage

Due to the sloped nature of this roofing style, it automatically serves as a strong drainage system. This is great for water and snow since the angled peak will simply let the precipitation slide right off of it.

Low Cost

A roofing project can quickly turn into quite an investment. A key pro for a gable roof is that since it is such an easy build, using cheaper material and less money spent on labor– makes it an overall much cheaper option compared to other roofing options.

More Space

Homeowners that choose a gable roof will also be granted the benefits of better ventilation for the entire house, plus get some more surface area in their attic. This is thanks to the angled style of a gable roof.

Cons

Prone to Wind Damage

If you’re a homeowner in an area that experiences hurricanes, a gable roof may not be a good fit for you. This style is particularly wind damage-prone. This is because the design at the top of the roof can actually attract wind. Over time, if this happens it will actually start to peel the roof off.

Supplemental Repairs

If wind damage does get to your roof, you will be calling in for repairs far more often than if you had installed a different roof. If you’re having to pay for repairs, this can defeat the purpose of the lower initial cost.

Sloped Living Space

For some homeowners, a spacious attic means another bedroom, or a rentable apartment even. However, homeowners with a gable roof will likely not be able to maximize their spacious attic space due to the severely sloped ceilings. Most likely, in a gable roof attic, an adult would not be able to stand fully upright in the space.

Talk to the Gable Roofing Experts

There is a lot to consider when it comes to any roofing project. As a homeowner, you want to be sure that you are making the right choice for your home. If you’re interested in learning even more about the different types of gable roofs, reach out to Long for expert advice on your roofing project. Whether you’re looking for a roofing estimate or have questions about the best asphalt shingle for you, we’re here to help. Contact us online.