How to Build a Gable Roof

Gable roofs are one of the more attractive roof styles, and if plans are followed properly, they are extremely easy to build. Cantilevered gable ends allow the building of gable roofs over bays, which are charming and attractive. If asked to draw a house, one will probably draw a square box with a triangular roof. Gable roofs are what our mind's eye envisions when we picture a typical house. If you are having a home constructed and you'd like to build a gable roof, don't let the number of steps fool you. Do them one by one until you're through, and when you are finished, you'll be amazed at the ease and quality of your roof.

Things You'll Need

• Rafter horses Rafter studs 1-by-6s Construction pencil 16-penny nails Nail gun Tape measure Circular saw 2-by-4 legs Frieze blocks

Instructions

1. Lay out your rafters on rafter horses with their crowns facing up. Hold a stud against one end and pull all the studs to it.

2. Measure the studs to length, mark them and cut them on the opposite ends using a circular saw.

3. Scribe and cut the ridge cuts and birds' mouths.

4. Lay out a sturdy platform by nailing 1-by-6s across the joists below the ridgeline. You can begin constructing your roof while standing on this catwalk.

5. Using straight stock 1-by-6, align the layout of the ridge to the joists. The rafters and joists will come together at the plate line. Space the rafters and the joists 16 inches on center to accomplish this purpose.

6. Hold one end of a rafter to the ridge and attach the bottom end to the plate with two 16-penny nails.

7. Attach another rafter the same way on the other side. Both rafters will meet in the middle and hold each other up.

8. Move down the ridge to the end of the first section and attach two more rafters the same way, also meeting in the middle.

9. Pull up the ridge between the two rafter pairs and place nails through the ridge into the end of the first rafter. Nail two more into the opposing rafter.

10. Nail a 2-by-4 leg at both ends of the ridge board for extra support.

11. Construct the remaining ridge rafter pairs in each section, and don't forget the support legs. Once you get to the end of the roof, go back and nail all the rafter pairs to the ridge.

12. Place all remaining rafters. Where a rafter meets a joist, drive in three 16-penny nails. Install frieze blocks by nailing through the sides of the rafters into the blocks with two 16-penny nails.

13. Fill in the gable ends with gable studs spaced 16 inches on center. The two center studs should be placed 14 inches apart.

14. Snap a line across the rafter tails and cut them to a predetermined length.

Tips & Warnings

• To determine the amount of rafters you will need, if your rafters are spaced 16 inches o.c., divide the length of the building by 4 feet, multiply that number by 3 feet and add 1. That is the number of rafters needed on both sides. After constructing the initial ridge rafters, make sure it is plumb to avoid continuing with a roof that is not parallel.

• Do not rely on blueprints to determine the span of your roof. Measure the span at the top plates and measure from both ends to make sure the walls are parallel.