What Is a Gambrel Roof?

By Dawn Killough 06-20-2022
QUICK SHARE
Tag Icon

Gambrel roofs, also commonly called barn roofs, are common across America. Brought over by the Dutch, some of the earliest gambrel roofs in America were found in buildings from the 16th century. Today, they fit in perfectly with the resurgence of the farmhouse style.

These roofs are a versatile and cost-effective roof style that adds storage space to your home.

What Are Gambrel Roofs?

A Gambrel roof is a two-sided roof with two slopes on each side, where the lower slope is steeper than the upper slope. It is most often seen in 18th-century North American Dutch colonial homes. Its unique design provides the benefits of a sloped roof without compromising space inside.

History of the Gambrel Roof

Although its exact origins in America are unknown, it is believed that the Dutch brought the design over with them. It was originally called a "Dutch roof" in America. The style was particularly popular from the 16th to 18th century, and was used on both commercial and residential buildings. The oldest known of this roof type is found on the second Harvard Hall at Harvard University, built in 1677.

This roof style is currently seeing a resurgence with the popularity of the farmhouse building style. This style emphasizes rustic, country looks for building interiors. It is cozy and comfortable, but with a modern flair. Today's farmhouse design includes all the modern conveniences with a rustic or historical look.

What Are the Benefits of a Gambrel Roof?

Storage Space

This roof type provides extra storage space in the attic. The steep slopes maximize headroom to create a larger attic.

Historical Look

These roofs have a classic, historical aesthetic, as they were often seen in North American buildings constructed in the 18th century.

Flexibility

Adding windows and dormers to the side of the roof is typically fairly easy, making it possible to capture additional daylight and promote ventilation.

Drainage

The steep sides allow rain to flow off easily, which helps reduce the risk of water damage.

Cost-Effectiveness

With fewer beams and columns, these roofs require less material, which keeps costs down. It is also fairly simple to install, which may help reduce labor costs.

5 Types of Gambrel Roofs

There are several variations on the traditional Dutch colonial gambrel roof.

1. Classic

As its name implies, the classic style has two sides with two slopes on each side. The lower slope is steeper than the upper one.

2. Valley

Valley gambrel roofs are seen on square-shaped houses. Each side of the roof has two front-facing slopes in addition to the gambrel slopes.

3. Mansard

A mansard roof has four sloped sides instead of two. It is similar to a hip roof, which is sloped on all four sides.

4. Dormer

A dormer gambrel roof has windows that protrude from each side of the roof. A dormer protects each window from harsh weather.

5. Wall-Supported

A wall-supported gambrel roof doesn't increase the storage space in the attic. The bottom end of each pitch dangles over the edge of the house, reducing the additional space available.

How Are They Installed?

Roofing professionals build these roofs by installing identical trusses across the roof. The number of trusses needed depends on the size of the roof. Trusses are usually spaced out every 16 inches from the center.

Once the trusses have been installed, plywood or OSB—an engineered wood panel—sheathing is placed on the outer face of the trusses. The roof system is installed on top of the sheeting, including an ice and water shield, underlayment, and shingles.

The roof style offers a historical look and is a key choice in the farmhouse architectural design. If you're looking to install this type of roof, contact a GAF certified contractor*.



*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dawn Killough is a freelance writer in the construction, finance, and accounting fields. She is the author of an ebook about green building and writes for construction tech and green building websites. She lives in Salem, Oregon with her husband and four cats.
Don't miss another GAF RoofViews post!
LATEST UPDATES
Companies, organizations, and firms working in the building, construction, and design space have a unique opportunity and responsibility. Collectively, we are contributing to nearly 40% of energy-related carbon emissions worldwide. While the goals, commitments, pledges, and promises around these challenges are a step in the right direction, no one entity alone will make major improvements to this daunting issue.
Mark Rutherford is one of the founders and current co-owner of Atlanta Roofing Specialists, where he's responsible for production and commercial sales. The company provides new roofs and repair services for residential and commercial buildings in the Atlanta area, and has been a part of the community for 30 years.
As the warmer temperatures of spring arrive, you might be getting out your vacuum, mop, and household cleaners. But the outside of your home likely needs some attention too. Signs of winter damage often show up once the snow melts and the ground thaws, so now's also the time for outdoor spring cleaning. Proper home maintenance—such as inspecting your roof and other areas of your home that might need repair can help preserve your property.
What's old is new again. In addition to musical tastes and clothing trends, this is often the case with certain architectural styles. Today, the modern mansard roof is experiencing a comeback. The first known use of this roof style was in 1550 where it appeared on a portion of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. The mansard roof derives its name from François Mansart, a French architect who favored the style and used it in many of his building designs.
If you're thinking about replacing your old roof or installing a new one, one thing to consider is whether you should choose darker or lighter shingles. Appearance isn't the only factor this choice affects. Depending on your home and where you live, choosing darker or lighter options might also be more beneficial and efficient. Here's what you need to know about selecting between light and dark shingle colors for your roof.
With any roofing project, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right design: sustainability profile, potential risks, overall performance, and more. Our Building and Roofing Science (BRS) team specializes in working with industry professionals to help them enhance their roof designs across all of these areas. Leveraging their building enclosure expertise, our BRS team serves as thought leaders and collaborators, helping design professionals deliver better solutions for their customers.
This blog contains information created by a variety of sources, including internal and third party writers. The opinions and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of GAF. The content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute financial, accounting, tax or legal advice. GAF does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the information. In no event shall GAF be held responsible or liable for errors or omissions in the content or for the results, damages or losses caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the content.

Interested in sharing or republishing our content? We kindly ask you to adhere to our guidelines.