What Are Gables on a Roof? Types & Design Explained

by Mayuri Gangwal
October 5, 2025
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Planning to build a new home or just making some changes in your old one, I suggest that you give a thought to the idea of adding a gable on your roof to make your home decor stand out from the rest of the neighbourhood. So if you are wondering what are gables on a roof? Let me give you a brief idea about gables first.

In a pitched roof, if a triangular portion remains surrounded by edges, it is called a gable. It is usually made at the meeting point of two sloping sections of the roof. You might have read about it in storybooks or have seen it in movies and have always wanted to have one in your own home. Well it is the time to make that move as a gable roof will make your home look charming. You will get to experience natural light coming through the gable and besides that you will have better air passage in your home.

Over a period of time architects all over the world have incorporated gables in their architectural designs, but nowadays it is not limited to being just an ornamental design as it offers you as a home owner several benefits such as draining of snow and rainwater and a lot of space in the attic.

Structure of a Gable

When you look at a gable from outside of the house, it will look like a triangular shaped window which rises from the bottom of the wall. At present, many homes having asphalt shingle or other types of pitched roofs, have this design and it is easily recognizable from afar.

Various gables are –

Plain: A plain surface along with the roofline.
Vented: Added louvers or grilles for better air passage.
Decorated: In most of the cases, it comes with a gingerbread trim, or windows to make it more visually appealing.

I hope now you have the answer to the question that was in your mind regarding what is a gable roof?

Different Types of Gable Roof

Though there is a similarity in the structure of all gables, roof designers with their expertise have created a number of different striking designs based on different building layouts and styles:

Front Gable – A front gable usually faces the street and is considered to be the classical model. This is mostly seen in case of conical and cape cod homes. It tends to make the entrance of the house look taller and is quite easy to build compared to other models discussed afterwards.

Side Gable – In case of a side gable, the pitched roof and the street run parallel to each other. Due to this the gable ends are exactly aligned with the side of the house. This is one of the most economical options to go to if you are thinking of installing a gable roof in your house. This particular design makes the drainage system a whole lot better and is also easy to install.

Cross Gable – Unlike side gable, here in this design a number of roof sections intersect each other at right angles. Each of the sections has its own gable. Thus it creates a complex yet amazing design which makes the ceiling height vary across the room. This cross gable is primarily seen in Craftsman and Tudor houses where asymmetrical patterns are one of the biggest parts of the design and layout of the structure.

Dutch Gable – It is a combination of gable with a hip roof. Here the roof does not fully create a slope with the wall, instead of that a small gable sits on the top of the roofline. This hybrid model guarantees extra headspace and room for a window while keeping the stability of the hip roof intact.

Benefits of Having a Gable Roof

Gables have gained popularity not merely because they loom fashionable but because of the tons of utility they offer to homeowners.

Easy and Pocket Friendly Installation: If you consider complex structures such as gambrels and mansards then it is fairly easy to construct gable roofs. The framing takes less time and labour which usually fits in the budget of the homeowner.

Water Drainage Facility: The slopes created by a gable makes it easy to get rid of collected rainwater and snow during monsoon and winter. It is a huge upside as this feature of gable roofs reduce the chance of leakages and prevents dampness of the wall.

Room for Lofts: Open volume that you get because of the structure of the gable roof can lead to the creation of lofts and even an attic where you can store things or live based on your needs.

Great Ventillation: Where the gable meets the ends of the wall, that place is ideal to install vents. The hot air will escape through those vents and your house will always remain filled with a breath of fresh air. Along with that this feature of gable roof also makes the lifespan of roofing materials longer.

Potential Downsides

As you have already learned about the perks gable roof has to offer. Now is the time to talk about possible drawbacks that you might encounter:

Susceptible to Damage: If your home is located in one of the areas that often becomes prey of hurricanes and tornadoes then the gable in your roof becomes more prone to get damaged. This happens because the triangular design performs just like a sail and can’t withstand the high pressure of wind in case of high winds.

Requirement of Braces: Architects will often recommend you to opt for extra bracing for reinforcing gable roofs with additional braces just to prevent any kind of damage or uplift. These braces or frames will cost you extra which might create an impact in your budget.

Snow Drifting: Among all the gable roof designs that we have discussed so far here, only cross gables can gather snow during a snowfall. So you should opt for cross gables only when your house has a good existing drainage system.

Incorporating Gables in Home Design

Gables are known to contribute strongly to the designing of the house as they have the capability to transform a simple design into something lively and appealing.

Making It More Inviting: You can highlight the gable with decorative bargeboards, or with the help of half timbering to enhance the decor of the gable of your house. Including some intricate patterns won’t hurt your pocket much but will surely turn a few eyes upwards.

Bringing in Natural Light: Integrating gables in your blue print will ensure one thing for sure and that is you getting daylight in the attic. Because of this ensured sunlight, you can convert your attic into living space instead of a storage area.

Architectural Point of View: Gables can be featured in different types of houses. Homes built on colonial architecture usually have front gables whereas Cape Cod cottages feature modest gables to incorporate dorm rooms and chimneys. Besides that, Craftsman homes often incorporate several gables in the designing process which primarily focuses on detailing. Last but not least Tudor Revival designs put decorative gables on display with the framing remaining in exposed condition.

In modern architecture, gables are often paired with glass walls or they are blended with flat roofs to give them a contemporary twist.

Tips to Remember While Constructing Gable Roofs

So, if you have made up your mind regarding adding or modifying your roof with a gable there are few construction tips that you need to keep in mind beforehand:

Hire Professionals: Hiring a roofing contractor with experience and expertise will ensure that the design that you are incorporating in your house design will follow the guidelines of the local authority and will be sturdy enough to bear with the snow and wind pressure in case your home is located in the part of the country known for harsh climatic conditions.

Select the Material Wisely: Roofing materials such as tiles, shingles and metal panels need to match with the roofing material according to the climate and decor of the house.

Pay Attention to Flashing: Leaks can destroy your home. To prevent that you need to make sure that all the ridges, valleys and joints surrounding gables remain properly sealed.

Final Thoughts

Now as we have reached the end of this article, I hope that you have understood everything regarding what are gables on a roof and that gables are not merely a triangular opening under the roofline of your house. It is the perfect conglomeration of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Whether you opt for a simple gable or complex cross gable design, it is up to you but I strongly recommend that you choose according to the arrangement and layout of your home. Always consult an experienced and skilled architect as their expertise will make your home durable, structurally sound after the installation of a gabled roof.

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