What Is the Cheapest to Build: a Gambrel Roof or a Gable Roof?

Gable

• A gable roof is the simple triangular-shaped roof that we're all familiar with. It may, in fact, be the most common roof design in North America. A simple design, it performs its basic job -- shedding water -- very efficiently. Material and construction costs tend to be low because of the efficient use of materials and ease of construction. The space beneath a gable roof can be made livable by adding dormers to increase light and floor space.

Gambrel

• The gambrel roof is a double-pitched roof featuring two angles. A gambrel is the distinctive feature of a Dutch Colonial. The two angles results in greater material use and construction costs, so a gambrel is more expensive than a gable. Gambrels have higher headroom and offer greater opportunities for creating living space beneath the roof.

Considerations

• While a gable is less expensive to build than a gambrel, the greater space beneath a gambrel naturally lends itself to use as living space. Dormers, in fact, can render the entire space beneath a gambrel livable. If you are trying to maximize floor space, a gambrel may be a sensible and economical way to go. The efficient spaciousness of a gambrel, in fact, is what made the Dutch Colonial so popular.

Saving Cost

• Whether you intend to install a gable or a gambrel, construction technique can save on construction. Pre-made trusses in standard and custom sizes are available for both designs, saving on labor. In the absence of ready-made trusses, on-site, ground-built trusses are still more efficient to build than framing a roof in place.