Gambrel Roof Overview: What It Is, Pros, Cons, and Examples

If you’re considering adding a gambrel roof to your home or outbuilding, here’s what you should know.
The structure of a gambrel roof will last 100+ years if well-maintained. But, like any other roof, the material you use will determine how often you need to replace it. For instance, a metal roof can last 50 years, while asphalt shingles may last 20.
Even though the house has a standard gable roof, they’ve chosen a gambrel for the garage, which changes the look and feel of the home.
Used in Renaissance and Baroque French architecture, gable roofs are among the simplest in design. It is the classic-looking triangle you see in most kids’ drawings of a house. Its design allows water to drain off. And since gable roofs have sharp angles, snow doesn’t pile on them.

What Is a Gambrel Roof?

While not as popular for new builds, gambrel roofs are the standard for barns. They maximize space under the roof, are affordable, simple to build, and provide excellent drainage.
For more than 400 years, gambrel roofs have added a distinctive architectural design element to many types of homes. Here are some examples of houses and outbuildings with gambrel roofs.
The material on a gambrel roof depends on the design style. You can use any shingle, including asphalt, wood, or slate. You can also install a metal gambrel roof.
he advantages of a gambrel roof:
It’s typical to see both older and newer barns with this sloped roof style.

What Materials Can You Use on a Gambrel Roof?

The most common new builds with gambrel roofs are barns. A gambrel roof maximizes space while shortening the roof. 

Gambrel Roof vs. Gable Roof

This cottage has gambrel-style roofs that contribute to the quaint look of the home. The house is made of wood and stone, and the roof has a complementary shingle. 
A gambrel roof has two symmetrical sets of slopes on each side. The top pitch is positioned at a shallow angle, while the lower slope is steep. 
Aside from barns, sheds are the next most common new builds for gambrel roofs. You can find premanufactured sheds with gambrel roofs and building plans for them.
Gambrel roofs have two slopes on each side. The top slope is shallow, while the lower one is steep. These roofs have a traditional look that ties back to colonial America. You’ll often see them on Dutch Colonial, Georgian, and farmhouse-style homes.

Gambrel roofs are a common feature among modern barns. They also grace the top of Dutch Colonial-style houses and are a popular pick for dormers.

The Pros and Cons of a Gambrel Roof

They’re preconstructed, and builders assemble them in pieces. Since gambrel roofs cover a little more area, you can expect them to be more expensive than a gable roof.

• Aesthetics – Gambrel roofs can give your home a traditional feel.
• Simple Design – The simple design makes building these roofs easier and less expensive.
• Lots of Material Choices – You can use almost any roofing material on gambrel roofs.
• Maximize Attic or Loft Space – A gambrel roof will maximize the space on your top floor.

The buildings that have gambrel roofs include large barns and sheds. Gambrel roofs are also the standard for Dutch Colonial homes. You’ll also see them on some Georgian styles, older farmhouses, and some mansions.

• Not Ideal for High Winds – Gambrel roofs may not be the best suited if you live in an area with frequent high winds.
• Not Ideal for Heavy Snow Loads – The shallow top slope of a gambrel roof gives space for snow to pile up. In extreme circumstances, the load can be too much weight for the roof.

Gambrel Roof Examples

A Quaint Cottage with a Gambrel Roof

They maximize attic space in homes. In barns and sheds, they allow for a taller loft area. 
If you’re building a cottage-style home, this roof is one to consider. It works well if you want your house to look like it’s been standing for centuries.

Attached Garage with a Gambrel Roof

These roofs have two slopes on each side, maximizing the area underneath. Gambrel roofs are simple to build, shorten an otherwise tall roof, and have graced myriad American properties since the late 1600s.
Gambrel roofs are also ideal for water drainage. But, because they have a shallow top slope, they give space for snow to pile up. In extreme circumstances, this can be too heavy a load for the roof. 

Gambrel Roof on a Mansion

The disadvantages of a gambrel roof:

Large Barn with a Gambrel Roof

They’re also one of the least expensive to build and replace.
You’ll also see these roofs as an accent on some mansions.

Gambrel Roof on a Shed

The house pictured has an attached garage with a gambrel roof. The area below the roof gives the homeowners space for an accent of wood siding.
With its Dutch Colonial roots and simple design, gambrel roofs are a popular option for homeowners, whether you’re adding it to a barn or something grander.. But, like anything else, they have their pros and cons.

Final Thoughts

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Gambrel roofs became popular in the United States starting in the late 1600s and were considered an innovative feature for homes at the time. Builders placed them on Dutch Colonial-style homes, but they also became a staple for Georgian-style houses and farmhouses. 
It’s not uncommon to find gambrel roofs on mansions, especially those made with stone, brick, or wood siding. With its ties to colonial America, the gambrel roof conveys a different feel to a gable or mansard roof.