The gable roof is arguably the most popular type in the UK and the rest of the Western world. However, it’s not perfect. Like any other type of roof, it has pros and cons.
So, read this article before choosing a gable roof for your office or home. After all, it is crucial to choose the right roof. The safety of your building depends on it.
What Is a Gable Roof?
A gable roof has two sloping sides and two flat sides. The flat sides are called the gable end of the roof.
When you are at either of the flat sides, a gable roof looks like a triangle. The two sloping sides form the vertical sides of the triangle. The base of the roof, usually the top of the wall, forms the base of the triangle.
Gable Roof Pros
Here are the advantages of gable roofs.
Affordable and easy to build
Gable roof installation is fast and relatively easy. This is because the design is simple and most roofers use prefabricated materials. You can reduce costs further by using affordable materials or installing the gable roof yourself.
Strong and classy
Gable roofs are sturdy and durable. They are also very classy and aesthetically pleasing. It’s rare to find this level of affordability, reliability and elegance. That’s why gable roofs are such a great value for money.
Good drainage
Water, debris and snow can’t settle on a gable roof. Water, especially, will flow right down the sloping sides. So, you don’t have to worry that water or any other sediment will build up on your roof. In other words, gable roofs have good drainage qualities.
A large storage space
With a gable roof, you get a large loft space that you can use for storage. Obviously, you have to brace the base (of the roof) to make the loft safe.
Good ventilation
Gable roofs have a large surface area. This is good for ventilation and natural lighting. The gable ends are also perfect for windows.
A larger surface area increases the exchange of air and heat between the building and its surroundings. However, this is both a gable roof advantage and disadvantage. We will discuss the disadvantages later.
Gable Roof Cons
Here are five disadvantages of gable roofs.
Vulnerable to wind
The pitched shape of a gable roof makes it vulnerable to wind damage. Wind can peel, damage, rip or lift the roof. So, I don’t recommend using a gable roof in windy areas.
The steeper the pitch of the roof, the more vulnerable it is. Gable roofs with extended eaves (aka overhangs) are also more wind-prone.
Needs repairs more often
Wind damage is a problem. So, you might constantly need to refit lifted areas and repair damaged singles. Other times, you may have to replace certain parts of the roof.
Reinforcing the roof will increase the cost
You can reinforce a gable roof to increase wind resistance and load-bearing capacity. Doing this helps against wind shear and snow load. However, it also increases the cost of building the gable roof.
The loft has less headroom
Therefore, there will be issues if you want to turn the loft into an extra living space. You probably won’t mind the low ceilings if you only use the loft for storage space. However, as an extra living space, there will be problems.
Poor energy efficiency
Remember when I said, “A large surface area is both a gable roof advantage and disadvantage. We will discuss the disadvantages later.” This is later.
A larger surface area gives heat more opportunity to escape. Likewise, the cold also has more opportunities to enter the building. Therefore, gable roofs are not energy efficient. However, you can fix this by adding insulation.
Conclusion
There you have it. Now, you know ten gable roof pros and cons. You will notice that the pros outweigh the cons. Besides, there are ways to fix or work around these gable roof cons.
That’s why gable roofs remain so popular. Still, other types of roofs have their benefits, too. So, reach out to me to learn more about them.
You can also hire me to repair and install roofs for your home, office and other buildings. This website, Fixmyroof, is not just a hub of information. It’s also a way for you to contact me for your roofing solutions.
