About Gable Roof Designs
The gable roof is a popular style for residential homes. The design has many benefits over other types of roofs. There are different styles of gable roofs, allowing for versatile style while keeping the benefits. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Most homes have the classic gable roof design. It consists of two sloped surfaces that meet at a point, giving it an "A" shape.
Benefits
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This type of roof is easier to maintain and repair than other types. It stands up to harsh weather and heavy snow accumulation very well because the angle directs the rain and snow off the roof. The trusses are fairly uniform, making them easier to build well, quickly and inexpensively. Some construction companies even create the trusses in factories, bringing down the cost and ensuring uniformity of construction. While the pitch of the roof can vary, as long as it is sloping it is considered a gable roof.
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Features
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Design accents are often incorporated on the gable end of the home to add interest. Some options include adding a faux balcony, painting the gable part of the wall a different color and installing wooden siding. Inside, the gable roof design can allow for an extra half-story to be added to a home. The area under the roof is often finished as an extra room. It can also be used to convert a normal room into one with a cathedral ceiling.
Types
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Single gable roof: This roof has two slopes that come together in a point.
Cross gable roof: This roof has two or more regular gables that run perpendicular to each other.
French gable roof: Also called a mansard roof. The slopes do not reach a point, but are cut off at a flat roof just short of the pinnacle, giving the roof a more Gothic, old-world appearance. Many French chateaus have this style of roof.
History
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The French gable roof was designed by architect Francois Mansart in the 1850s in response to a tax on the height of homes in Paris. For tax purposes the home was measured from the ground to the lowest point of the roof. The French gable roof allowed home owners to add a room completely inside the roof area without increasing their taxes. The style was later adopted in England and America during the Victorian era.
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