Definition

Noun: A gambrel roof is a type of roof with two distinct slopes on each of its two sides. The lower slope is positioned at a steeper angle, while the upper slope is positioned at a shallower angle. This design creates more usable space, such as an attic or upper floor, beneath the roof than a standard gable roof.

Usage

The term is used to describe a specific architectural style of roof, commonly seen on barns, Dutch Colonial houses, and other traditional buildings. - The old barn was easily recognizable by its classic gambrel roof. - Their new house design features a gambrel roof to maximize the attic space.

Advanced Usage

• The gambrel roof is sometimes called a barn roof due to its prevalence on agricultural buildings.
• In architectural plans, the gambrel roof is chosen for its efficient use of interior volume and its distinctive aesthetic.

Variants and Related Words

• Gambrel: Can refer to the roof itself or, in a different context, the hock of a horse or a similar joint.
• Gable Roof: A simpler roof type with two sloping sides that form a triangle at each end, which is the broader category the gambrel roof falls under.

Synonyms

• Barn roof
• Mansard roof (Note: A mansard roof has four sloping sides, with each side having two slopes, whereas a gambrel roof has only two sides with two slopes each.)

Related Phrases

• Gambrel truss: The structural framework that supports a gambrel roof.

Noun

1. a gable roof with two slopes on each side and the lower slope being steeper