How to build a Gambrel roof

framingroof

We would like to put a Gambrel Roof on a 32 x 32 log cabin we're building but I don't know the formula or how to build the Gambrel roof. Please help

We're building this cabin ourselves and love the gambrel roof style. How do we build the roof exactly? What angles, how do we lay it out. I have 6 x 6 rough lumber, 16 foot long.

Best Answer

You can use a program to calculate the angles for your desired gambrel shape. Here is one such example:

http://www.easyrafters.com/gambrel.htm

As @Skaperen says, a basic gambrel is nothing more than 1/2 of an octagon.

Gambrel Types Easy Rafters groups gambrel roofs into two categories, regular gambrels and custom gambrels.

A regular gambrel is one that fits inside a circumscribed semi-circle as shown below (the shape of the roof is essentially one half of a regular octagon). The slopes for a regular gambrel roof are fixed at 28 31/32 over 12 for the lower rafters and 4 31/32 over 12 for the upper rafters (these slopes are rounded to 29/12 and 5/12 for display) and the length of each side or face will always be equal. Whenever the lower span dimension is changed the other dimensions are automatically recalculated to maintain the same regular proportions.

Custom gambrels on the other hand allow complete flexibilty of design without the constraints of the regular gambrel option.

Regular Gambrels

Regular Gambrel
A regular gambrel fits inside a circumscribed semi-circle.

Custom Gambrels

Custom Gambrel