The Super-simple Gambrel Roof

(Page 3 of 3)

March/April 1977
By Philip Baechler 
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ROOFING

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We used 3/4" exterior plywood for roofing. (Be sure, though, to check the snow loads for your area and learn what's recommended before you decide on the thickness of lumber to use for your gambrel roof.)

One trick that saved us some work while putting the plywood down—and that might come in handy the next time you work with plywood siding or roofing—was to drive a nail into each truss beam at the exact point where the bottom edge of the lowermost sheet of plywood was to rest. This done, we were able to set the sheet of lumber on the spikes and have both hands free while nailing the piece in place. (The time to make last-minute alterations of truss alignment, by the way, is BEFORE you apply the roofing ... AFTER is too late.) We used 10-penny screwshank nails to positively anchor the heavy plywood where we wanted it.

At this point, your finished roof can be covered with most any kind of shingle, and cracks can be made weathertight with flashing.

THE END WALLS

We finished our cabin's second-story gambrel roof by enclosing its ends. And we cut the studs for these end walls by measuring each 2 x 4 to fit the sloping roof, making 1-1/2"deep cuts on opposite sides of the studs 6" from either end, and chiseling out the resulting notches. (The uppermost notch must, of course, be cut to fit the angle of the roof. (To see in more detail, view PDF.)

LONG LIVE THE GAMBREL ROOF!

Now that my gambrel roof is up and finished all I can say is that it meets, and/or exceeds, all of my original expectations. It's good-looking, functional (I have an exceptionally spacious sleeping loft now) and it didn't dent my pocketbook too badly, either. Even at today's inflated lumber prices, I doubt if it'd cost more than $400 to build an exact replica of the roof I constructed two years ago (1975).

And think what that $400 can be made into. A roof like the one atop my cabin could easily be used by itself (without any understructure) as a chickenhouse, a child's playhouse, a shed, or—if covered with clear plastic—a greenhouse. (For extra headroom, the ceiling joists could be omitted.)

Here's to gambrel roofs, long may they stand!

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Comments

  • JOHN 9/6/2007 9:45:24 AM

    I enjoyed your article on gambrel roofs. I am thinking of
    building a 16-20 shed with a gambrel roof and the article helps.
    However you refer to figures 1 and 2 a,b,c. I can't find any
    diagrams with the article, am I missing something?
    Mother Replies:
    The illustrations are in the Image Gallery&nbsp;at the top right
    of the article.

  • oderkirk 8/6/2007 2:03:52 PM

    when you made your Gambrel roof did you make any venting in the
    side walls or roof,we have a 260 year old dutch colonial with
    gambrel roof and where the second story starts under eve they
    drilled 2 inch hole every foot and air is suppose to flow to
    attic,this dies not make since to me ,to have cold air going up
    walls what do you think ,christine

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