Gable Roofs Explained Plus Your Building Questions Answered

brick barn with timber clad extension
(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

Gable roofs are a classic design in British architecture. With their sloped sides and pitch, this style of roof has become one of the most-wanted features in home design and achievable for self builders and extenders alike. 

The type of roof you opt for won't just inform the style of the house or extension, but also the roof pitch, the materials that can be used and the cost of the project as a whole. The gable roof is arguably one of the simplest roof types to introduce, making it a popular addition to many homes.

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Row 0 - Cell 0 ProCon
Row 1 - Cell 0 Simple and routine constructionCan be unsuitable for areas with high winds
Row 2 - Cell 0 Good drainageThe simple design might not appeal to some
Row 3 - Cell 0 AffordableRow 3 - Cell 2
Amy Reeves

Amy is an interiors and renovation journalist. She is the former Assistant Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating, where she worked between 2018 and 2023. She has also been an editor for Independent Advisor, where she looked after homes content, including topics such as solar panels. 

She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas. Amy has also interviewed countless self builders, renovators and extenders about their experiences. 

She has renovated a mid-century home, together with her partner, on a DIY basis, undertaking tasks from fitting a kitchen to laying flooring. She is currently embarking on an energy-efficient overhaul of a 1800s cottage in Somerset.