Gable roofs complement a variety of architectural styles and can be ornamented with pediments and brackets to match modern aesthetics or a more ornate Victorian look. You can add a gable vent so moisture can escape from the top of your home and to allow for extra ventilation for better indoor air quality. Added Interior SpaceĪ steeply pitched gable roof allows you to have vaulted ceilings and more attic space. Leaves can also slide more easily off a gable roof than a flat roof. The main benefit of gable roofs is their ability to resist snow and water accumulation. Simple gable roofs can be easier to build and therefore less expensive than more complex designs. Both issues can require additional time, which increases costs. In some cases, particularly if you live in an area with high winds, extra support must be designed into the roof to prevent wind damage. Architectural ChallengesĬomplex gable roofs can create architectural challenges for your builder because the interior walls must be different heights to match the shape of the roof. If you have a gable roof and a windstorm hits, it would be wise to have it inspected after the storm. Their deep overhang can detach from the home in high winds or hurricane, which can also cause materials to peel off from the sloping sides of the roof. A gable roof can collapse if the frame lacks well-constructed support. Gable roofs are not well-suited to locations with frequent high winds or that are prone to hurricanes. While gable roofs are popular, they’re not necessarily the perfect choice for every home or every climate. Here are a few considerations for you to keep in mind to help you determine if this is the best type of roof for your home. While this is a popular type of roofing style, a gable roof does come with it’s own set of pros and cons. Example of a gable roof Pros & Cons of Gable Roofs Flashing, which refers to thin pieces of metal used to prevent roof leaks, should be installed around the edges of the dormer, a chimney, windows, and gutters. Your roofer may want to install metal shingles or a standing seam metal roof to prevent leaks. Many gables have varied roof heights with peaks and valleys and may include dormer windows. While cedar shake roofs are attractive, they require more maintenance than some other materials and are vulnerable to water damage.

Cedar shake, which is made of wood, is a popular option for gable roofs because it resists leaks around a dormer and other areas.

The material is weather resistant and easy to maintain, but the weight of the tiles means installation can be more complicated and therefore more expensive than asphalt shingles.

Tile roofs are also durable and can last 60 to 100 years.

While metal roofs are more costly than asphalt shingle roofs, they are durable and require little maintenance.

Metal roofs are resistant to extreme temperatures, wind, and hail.

Asphalt shingles are weather-resistant and come in a variety of colors and styles.

Asphalt is one of the most common materials used for a gable roof, especially if it has a dormer, hips and valleys, because it can reduce the chance of a leak.Materials for Gable RoofsĪlmost any type of roofing material can be used on a gable roof, such as asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, metal or tiles made of terra cotta, clay, or concrete. Gable roofs tend to be found in colder climates such as New England and Canada because the steep slope allows rain and snow to slide off rather than accumulate on the top of the house. The gable itself typically is built with materials used on the exterior of the house such as stone, siding or wood rather than roofing materials. Depending on their size and style, homes can include more than one gable. and have a familiar shape with sloping sides that form a triangle at the top known as a gable. Gable roofs are among the most popular roof styles in the U.S. That roof style is a gable roof, also known as a peaked or pitched roof.

Ask a child to draw a house and the resulting image will likely include a square house with a triangle on top.

Gutter detail perpedicular gable roofs