How to Build a Gable Roof

Gable roofs are aesthetically pleasing designs. The cantilevered ends allow contractors to construct these roofs over bays. These gable roofs have more of a triangular shape than some designs. They are most often seen on cathedral style buildings including churches.

How to Build a Gable Roof:

Step 1: Place the rafters on rafter horses with the crown facing up. Holding one stud against one of the ends, pull all of the studs toward this stud.

Step 2: Measure each stud length against the first stud. Place a mark on each stud at the length of this original stud. Cut the studs with a circular saw ensuring that they are the same length.

Step 3: Nail 1-by-6s across the joists below the ridge line. This will create a sturdy platform for you to stand on while constructing your gable roof.

Step 4: Align the layout of the ridge to the joists by using straight 1-by-6s. The joists and rafters will meet at the plate line. Place your 1-by-6s sixteen inches on center to align this layout correctly.

Step 5: Holding one rafter end to the ridge nail the bottom end to the plate. It is recommended to use two sixteen-penny nails on each. Repeat this step once on this end. Follow this step to place two rafters on the opposite end of the roof.

Step 6: Pull the ridge into the middle of the rafter sets you constructed in Step 5. Place nails through the ridge into the end of both sets of rafters. Nail 2-by-4s on both ends of the ridge.

Step 7: Construct more rafter sets like you did in Step 5 all the way across the ridge. Add support legs to each section and nail these rafter sets to the ridge.

Step 8: Set the remaining rafters where the rafters meet the joist. Secure them with sixteen-penny nails. Install the frieze blocks by nailing them through the side of the rafters with sixteen-penny nails.

Step 9: Using gable studs, fill in the gable ends. Ensure that these studs are sixteen inches on center. Snap a line across the ends of the rafters. Cut each rafter to ensure they are the same length.