If you picture a traditional house shape in your mind, chances are you’re imagining a gabled roof. Gables are the triangular sections of wall framed by this traditional roof shape.
Within this simple shape, you can have an amazing range of features. From simple farmhouses to ornate Victorian mansions, gables have been a part of homes for centuries in a variety of architectural styles. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the more distinctive gable styles you can still find today.
Sunny Side Up Gables
When looking at gables, take note of their position relative to the façade, their cladding, and the extent of their ornamentation. These details inform a house’s architecture.
When the gable appears on the side or end of a structure, as shown here, the dwelling is considered a side-gabled house. This gable end is clad in clapboard and shingles, suggesting a Victorian-era house. In this instance, a porch has been added to the gable end, and ornamentation on the porch is consistent with the detailing found along the overhanging rake of the gable.
Front and Center Gables
Front-gabled houses feature the gable on the front of the structure. This creates a focal point that makes a home appear taller and more imposing. The Folk Victorian house pictured here exemplifies the charm and character of this gable orientation.
The extensive ornamentation on this gable wall’s first- and second-story porches showcases the intricate spindles, brackets, and fretwork of the Victorian era. The trio of windows tucked under the gable’s overhanging rake provides natural light to the interior.
Tudor Gables
Tudor Revival architecture, popular in the early 20th century, often features prominent gables with half-timbering. This style draws inspiration from medieval English buildings and is characterized by its picturesque and romantic appearance.
The half-timbered gable combines exposed wooden beams with stucco or brick infill, contrasting materials and textures. This technique references medieval English houses’ construction methods.
A row of three windows with arched transoms sits prominently in the gable, further emphasizing the Tudor Revival style. The arched shape of these windows softens the angular lines of the gable and adds a touch of elegance to the overall design. The timber bargeboard, or decorative gable trim, along the roof edge, is another hallmark of Tudor Revival architecture.
Top Half Gable
The second story of this stone garage features wood cladding painted white, which contrasts with the rugged stone below. This combination of materials adds texture and depth to the façade while delineating the different levels of the structure.
The arched window echoes the curved forms often found in traditional architecture, softening the angular lines of the gable. The addition of shutters frames the window while providing the functional benefits of light control and increased privacy.
Light Play Gables
The gable end of this shingled structure demonstrates how thoughtful window design can dramatically impact a building’s exterior appearance and interior function. The large, multi-paned window arrangement creates a focal point while allowing abundant natural light to flood the interior space. Using multiple smaller panes instead of a single large sheet of glass references traditional window designs.
Rustic Gables
The upper half of the gable is sheathed in weathered wood, creating a warm and inviting appearance that complements the natural surroundings.
At ground level, the arched doors echo the shape of the gable itself—a harmonious design that ties the entire structure together. These doors, also crafted from weathered wood, provide a seamless transition between the upper and lower portions of the gable end. The arched shape of the doors allows for larger openings, which can be useful in structures like barns or garages.
Stone End Gables
Fieldstone, with its varied colors and textures, adds a sense of permanence and connection to the landscape. This material choice is highly durable and low-maintenance.
The oculus window–a circular opening typically found in classical architecture–adds a touch of elegance to the rugged stone wall. Below the oculus, a paneled bay window projects outward from the gable wall. This feature increases the interior floor space and creates a focal point on the façade.
Combining the stone wall, oculus window, and bay window demonstrates how diverse architectural elements can be harmoniously integrated within a gable design.
Striped Gables
A projecting center gable on the second story creates a focal point, while black-painted decorative brackets under the eaves add a flourish to the entire façade. The contrast between the dark brackets and the lighter-colored walls creates a pleasing visual rhythm that complements the gable’s striped pattern.
Rake Detail Gables
The ornate woodwork adorning the gable’s rake (the inclined edge of the gable) adds a touch of sophistication and charm to the building. This decorative trim, often called gingerbread, can transform a simple gable into a standout architectural feature. This design approach demonstrates how traditional elements can be successfully incorporated into contemporary structures to achieve a timeless appearance.
Gothic Gables
The steep center cross gable is a hallmark of Gothic Revival architecture popular in the mid-1800s. This design creates a dramatic silhouette and vertical emphasis characteristic of Gothic architecture, which often sought to create a sense of height and grandeur.
The decorated bargeboard, or verge board, is another distinctive feature of Gothic Revival homes. This ornate wooden trim along the edges of the gable protects the roof edge while adding elaborate visual detail.
Gothic Revival architecture often incorporated elements inspired by medieval European churches and castles, adapting them for residential use. The combination of the steep gable and ornate bargeboard exemplifies how this style brought a romantic and picturesque quality to 19th-century homes.
Double Take Gables
The steeply pitched roof of these mirrored gables efficiently shed snow and rain. The sharp angles of the roof create a dynamic silhouette that contrasts with the horizontal lines of the building.
The symmetrical arrangement of the gables balances the façade and creates a sense of formality. This design approach is often seen in traditional architectural styles, where symmetry was valued for its symbolic associations with order and harmony.
Fancy Gables
This gable showcases an exceptionally ornate bargeboard. The intricate detailing of this decorative element transforms the gable from a simple structural feature into a work of art.
Atop the gable, a finial projects straight up from the roof ridge. This vertical ornament serves as a decorative punctuation mark. Finials have been used in architecture for centuries, often serving both decorative and symbolic purposes.
This level of detailing is often associated with Victorian-era architecture, which prized ornate decoration and craftsmanship. Such elaborate gables serve as a testament to the skill of the craftsmen who created them.
