Can I Put a Gambrel Roof on Another House Plan?

Trusses

• When changing roof plans, the simplest route is to order roof trusses. Roof trusses are pre-engineered structural members, built in the manufacturer’s facility and delivered to the job site. Trusses use a system of multiple triangular configurations to form the roofline. If you’re changing to a gambrel roof for the additional loft or attic floor space, make sure the truss representative understands that you want an open roof plan. When the trusses arrive, you’ll need a crane to assist in lifting and setting them.

Rafters

• An experienced framing contractor can adapt roof rafter plans to accommodate a gambrel design if you want a traditional stick-framed roof. This is more involved than ordering roof trusses, and your best bet is to have an architect draw up the roof design to match the house dimensions.

Covenants

• Before making the roof design change, find out if there are local covenants that regulate the style of roof you can have in a residential development. Gambrel roofs substantially elevate the ridge of the roof, which may not meet some subdivision covenants. If the development has a homeowners association, or HOA, you may have to apply to a committee for permission to install a roof style that is not in keeping with the other homes in the development.

Considerations

• It costs more to build a gambrel roof than it does a gable roof because a gambrel roof not only requires more building materials, but it also requires more labor charges. The installation of roof sheathing and shingles slows down when the roofers are working on the lower plane of a gambrel roof, which can be nearly vertical. The roofers will work off scaffolding because the slope is too steep to use toe boards for support. If you want additional floor space in a finished loft, however, you’ll get more usable space with a gambrel-style roof because the side roof slopes are not as steep.