What is a gable roof? Why is it called a gable roof?
A gable roof has two sloping sides that meet at a central ridge, forming a triangle at each end. That triangular section of wall is called the gable. It’s one of the most common roof shapes on Australian homes.
The word gable comes from an Old French word meaning facade or front.
The design is generally triangular. However, the eventual form is decided by the climate, material availability, and the house’s overall design.
Gable Roofs can be installed for a new build as well as a reconstruction project. Check out our Homebuyers Guide to Knockdown and Rebuild.
Parts of a gable roof, and what a gable end is
- Ridge: the top line where the two roof planes meet.
- Gable end: the triangular wall at each end. It can be plain, clad or rendered, or feature a window, vent or decorative detail.
- Rafters or trusses: the sloping frame that supports the roof. Most modern homes use prefabricated trusses.
- Battens and sarking: battens fix the roof covering to the frame, and sarking is the membrane beneath it.
- Eaves: the part of the roof that overhangs the wall.
- Fascia and barge board: the fascia runs along the eaves and carries the gutter, and the barge board trims the sloping edge at the gable end.
- Roof covering and ridge capping: Colorbond sheets or tiles, with capping sealing the ridge.
Types of Gable Roofs
Even though there are endless variations of this popular roof type, here are the most common ones:
- Front gable: the gable end faces the street, with the ridge running perpendicular to the front wall.
- Side gable: the ridge runs parallel to the street, so the sloping roof faces the front and the gables are on the sides.
- Cross-gable: two gable roofs meet at right angles, which suits L- or T-shaped plans and homes with garages, porches or extensions.
- Open gable: the classic form, with the triangular gable wall exposed at the end of the roof.
- Boxed gable: the gable end is finished more like a closed box, usually with little or no overhang. Terms vary between builders, so check what a design includes.
- Dutch gable (gablet): a hip roof with a small gable at the top of the hip end, which adds ceiling height and visual interest.
- Jerkinhead (clipped gable): the peak of the gable end is clipped by a small hip.
- Gambrel, crow-stepped and saltbox: less common on Australian homes. A gambrel has two slopes on each side, a crow-stepped gable has stepped edges, and a saltbox has one longer slope..
Modern gable roof designs in Australia
A gable doesn’t have to look traditional. Popular modern approaches include a feature front gable over the entry or garage, a gabled roofline with board-and-batten cladding and black window frames, a cross-gable for a layered facade, and a low-pitched gable with wide eaves for shading.
Why should you choose a gable roof?
Gable roofs suit most Australian conditions. The sloping planes shed rain quickly, the roof space allows for ventilation, insulation and storage, and the simple shape is one of the most straightforward and cost-effective to frame.
In the ACT and NSW, where rainfall is spread fairly evenly through the year with heavier thunderstorms in spring and summer, that quick water runoff matters.
In very windy or cyclone-prone regions, hip roofs are often preferred, so correct bracing and tie-down matter on a gable.
What are the pros and cons of a gable roof?
Some major reasons homeowners opt for a gable roof:
- Gable roofs are the best when paired with traditional home designs, unlike edgier, industrial-looking varieties like skillion roofs.
- Versatile: suits traditional styles like Hamptons, and looks crisp and modern with clean lines, a feature front gable and a bold Colorbond colour.
- Sheds water and debris quickly.
- Roof space for ventilation, insulation and storage. Hip roofs usually have a smaller cavity.
- Simple to build and usually more cost-effective than more complex roof forms.
The following are the cons of a gable roof:
- Needs correct framing and bracing. Gable ends are large walls that catch wind, so bracing and tie-downs matter.
- In high winds, gable ends can be more exposed than a hip roof.
- Needs regular inspection of sheets or tiles, flashings, ridge capping and gutters to catch small leaks early.
- A simple gable can look traditional. For a more modern look, choose clean lines, a steeper or lower pitch, or a feature gable.
How long do gable roofs last?
The longevity of gable roofs mainly depends on the material used and proper alignment.
Both of these factors play a huge role when it comes to preserving these kinds of roofs.
The roof’s shape matters less than its material and installation. Colorbond steel and concrete tiles are the two most common coverings in Australia, and both can last decades with correct installation and maintenance.
Want to get a Gable roof? ABM would love to help!
At ABM Homes, our team has decades of combined experience creating roofs of all varieties, suited for particular conditions and client needs.
Our prime focus is always to understand and deliver on both your wants and needs. This has established our brand as a reputed home builder in the Canberra and NSW region.
If you still have questions about what roof would suit you and your family, contact our team today, or visit our office for a detailed discussion of your ideal roofing needs.