Gambrel Roof Slopes

A gambrel roof is a two sided roof with two slopes on each side.

Gambrel roof slopes.

Similar to mansard the lower side of the gambrel roof has an almost vertical steep slope while the upper slope is much lower. To calculate a gambrel roof select gambrel roof from the roof type dropdown list or click on the appropriate toolbar button to calculate a gambrel roof. The name comes from the medieval latin word gamba meaning horse s hock or leg. The picture below shows the pitch of a 7 12 roof slope meaning that for 12 of horizontal measurement roof run the vertical measurement roof rise is 7.

This results in that squatty appearance. This design provides the advantages of a sloped roof while maximizing headroom inside the building s upper level and shortening what would otherwise be a tall roof. The upper slope is positioned at a shallow angle while the lower slope is steep. Most designs are symmetrical providing the advantages of a sloped roof while still maximizing the amount of space inside of the building.

The term gambrel is of american origin the older european name being a curb. A gambrel roof features two distinct slopes one steeper than the other to create a barn like look on homes garages and sheds. A gambrel or barn style roof is simply a gable roof with a change in slope partway up the roof. This roof is symmetrical and the lower slopes are steeper than the ones on top.

Most of your pre made trusses that are designed as a gambrel consist of roughly a 20 12 bottom pitch and a 4 12 top pitch. This enables it to provide the benefits of a sloped roof without compromising on space inside the structure. Besides its unique appearance a gambrel roof also serves to maximize the usable floor space in the attic area. A gambrel or a barn roof is much like mansard in a sense that it has two different slopes.

The difference between the two is that the gambrel only has two sides while the mansard has four. A gambrel or gambrel roof is a usually symmetrical two sided roof with two slopes on each side. Construction of a gambrel roof. Each one offers a shallower slope that sits above a steeper one.

A gambrel roof is one that has two sides to it. So you have a really steep bottom pitch and a really flat top pitch.