Renovation Detail: The Gambrel Roof
With sloped sides rising to a graceful center point, the classic gambrel roof combines architectural beauty and interior breathing room
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger of the before + after super-site, http://www.raenovate.com/.
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger... More »
When I became a homeowner, I began studying nearly every house I passed, taking note of architectural features, landscaping, color palettes, materials and more. In doing so, I discovered an immeasurable amount of information about traditional architectural details, such as gambrel roofs.
A gambrel is typically a symmetrical, two-sided roof with two slopes on either side of the central ridge beam. The upper slope is positioned at a shallow gable-like angle, while the lower slope is much steeper. Its two great advantages are maximized headroom and longevity, as the gambrel lends itself to surviving adverse weather conditions.
My home has a gable roof, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the gambrel and long for its extra space.
A gambrel is typically a symmetrical, two-sided roof with two slopes on either side of the central ridge beam. The upper slope is positioned at a shallow gable-like angle, while the lower slope is much steeper. Its two great advantages are maximized headroom and longevity, as the gambrel lends itself to surviving adverse weather conditions.
My home has a gable roof, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the gambrel and long for its extra space.
| This Jamestown home perfectly showcases the symmetrical facade for which gambrels are known. |
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by Gus Duffy AIA
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| From inside a gambrel, you can see how the four slopes are split symmetrically down the middle of the central ridge beam, creating two on each side. |
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by Specht Harpman
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| Gambrel roofs originally were found on barns — their design provided the low-maintenance advantages of a sloped roof while allowing room for hay on the building's upper level. |
A gambrel roof typically overhangs the facade.
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| This Massachusetts beauty is technically considered a cross-gambrel roof, as it has multiple gambrels on perpendicular frames. |
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| This Dutch Colonial home features a gambrel roofline with a mini kickout addition that mirrors the main roof. |
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| A gambrel structure looks exceptionally nostalgic in deep barn red. |
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| After an extensive renovation, this Westport home's gambrel roof helps to integrate the old and new sections of the house while maintaining its charming character. More features of traditional home design |
Comments
Burton Architecture Thanks for calling attention to an often overlooked form. Gambrel roof houses can also take on a modernist flair. Here are a couple of images of a recent remodel/addition we did. 
10 months ago · Like
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jeanettchka I remember reading somewhere that the Dutch (always a thrifty people) used this kind of roof because their homes would qualify as a one-story home, thus saving on taxes. A one-story home was defined as one having the roof meeting the walls on the lower level - a two-story home was taxed at a higher rate! I love the gambrel roof - when we built our home this was what we chose. One plus is that there is a lot of storage space upstairs between the walls and the roof due to the roof's angle. Our master bedroom has a wall of closets utilizing this space.
10 months ago · Like
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Michael I love Gambrel roofs and I love the exposed trusses in the kitchen above!
10 months ago · Like
hollywoodland I love gambrel roofs--thanks so much for featuring them!
10 months ago · Like
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giggles60 Gambrel roof homes are welcoming and informal. Something that always appealed to me. I've seen some great old barns renovated and made into homes. They've turned out great on the outside. I wish I could see the inside.
10 months ago · Like
dueck Thanks for this article. We built an addition on the back of our gambrel roof home - those custom engineered trusses are not cheap! Our goal was to preserve the original architecture and the traditional look of these homes when they were built in the 1930's (shingled gables). Anyway, it's still very much a work in progress! 
10 months ago · Like
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dueck Oops - here's the back addition (meant to attach it the first time. 
10 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on Aug. 21, 2012.
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