Gable
The triangular wall at the end of a pitched roof.
Quick Answer
A gable is the triangular portion of an end wall between the sloping edges of a pitched roof. A gable roof has two slopes meeting at a ridge, with a gable at each end. Estimators measure the gable's area for siding and sheathing, its rake edges in linear feet, and the framing in studs and plates.
The Full Picture
A gable is the triangle of wall under the two sloping edges at the end of a pitched roof, from the top of the side walls up to the ridge. A gable roof has two planes that meet at the ridge, and each end has a gable. Variations such as a cross gable or a gambrel have more than one, and a hip roof has none. Gable ends are framed either as part of the wall, with studs cut to the roof slope, or as a separate gable wall set on top of the end wall.
The geometry is straightforward and drives most of the quantities. The base of the triangle is the building width, and the rise is half the width times the pitch. For a pitch expressed as rise per 12 of run, the rise equals half the width times the pitch over 12. Area is half the base times the rise. The sloping edges are the rakes, and their length is the run times a slope factor from the pitch. OSHA classifies a roof steeper than 4 in 12 as a steep roof, which also affects the roofing and framing safety plan on most residential pitches.
Takeoff items come from several sheets. Framing studs and plates come from the structural details and building sections. Sheathing, housewrap, siding and trim are measured from the elevations, with openings such as attic vents and windows deducted. Rake trim, fascia and any barge boards run along the slope in linear feet. Gable vents, louvers and returns are counted each. Often siding is a separate trade from the framer, so keep the gross area, deductions and net area clearly shown.
Pricing errors usually come from using the building height rather than the triangle, forgetting the second gable, and measuring the rakes on the plan view, which shortens them. Another is overlooking different finishes: a gable may be sided in a different material from the walls below, such as shingle or board and batten.
Real Examples
Common Misconceptions
People assume: A gable is the whole end wall.
Actually: The gable is only the triangular part above the top of the side walls. The wall below it is a regular wall, and the two are usually measured and priced separately.
People assume: Rake length can be taken from the plan view.
Actually: The plan view shows the horizontal run. The real edge is longer by the slope factor, which is about 1.118 at 6:12, so trim and fascia measured in plan come up short.
Does MeltPlan Solve This?
Partially — adjacentGable widths, pitches and rake lengths are measured from the elevations and roof plan, and MeltPlan's takeoff service covers that measuring: AI pulls quantities from plans and US-based experienced estimators review and adjust them. Choosing siding materials and the framing approach stays with the estimator.
Get gable areas and roof edges measured from your plans →Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gable end?
A gable end is the triangular wall at either end of a pitched roof, from the top of the side walls to the ridge. It is framed, sheathed and sided like a wall, with the sloped edges trimmed as rakes.
How do you calculate gable area?
Rise is half the building width times the pitch over 12. Area is half the width times the rise. Multiply by the number of gable ends and subtract openings.
Does a hip roof have gables?
A true hip roof has none, because all four sides slope. Many houses combine hip and gable sections, so the roof plan and elevations should be counted end by end.
Is the gable measured with the wall siding?
Often it is measured as a separate line, even when the material is the same. It lets the estimator add the extra height of lift and the cut waste on triangles.