Gambrel Roof

A gambrel or "barn" style roof is simply a gable roof with a change in slope partway up the roof.
Besides its unique appearance a gambrel roof also serves to maximize the usable floor space in
the attic.
The preview drawing displays an sectional view of the roof that updates as the dimensions are changed.
Gambrel Types
Easy afters 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$. The slopes for a regular gambrel roof are
fixed at %& '()'% over (% for the lower rafters and * '()'% over (% for the upper rafters #these
slopes are rounded to %+)(% and ,)(% for display$ and the length of each side or face will always
be equal. -henever the lower span dimension is changed the other dimensions are automatically
recalculated to maintain the same regular proportions.
.ustom gambrels on the other hand allow complete flexibilty of design without the constraints of
the regular gambrel option.
Regular Gambrels
A regular gambrel fits inside a circumscribed semi"circle.
Custom Gambrels
The custom gambrel option allows complete flexibility of design.
/ou can even calculate something li0e this with the custom gambrel option.
Framing Methods
Easy afters provides for three different methods of 1oining the upper and lower roofs. The purlin
method calculates top and bottom cuts that bisect the angles at the roof 1oints with ridge and
purlin boards between them #the ridge thic0ness can be set to zero if no ridge)purlins are used$.
The wall supported #flush$ method supports the upper rafters on walls with the lower rafters
butted against the wall studs. The wall supported #raised$ method is a variation of the wall
supported #flush$ method that raises the upper rafter to create a square cut fascia line at the
brea0 in the roof.
Purlins
2or clarity! the ridge)purlin boards are not shown in the preview drawing. They are displayed in the upper and lower rafter
drawings however.
Wall Supported (Flush)
The wall supported #flush$ method may not provide enough bearing for the upper rafters where they rest on the wall plates. /ou
may need to modify the design to provide more bearing for the upper rafters. This might be accomplished by adding ceiling 1oists!
using wider bearing walls! and)or by by modifying the rafters.
3ne way to provide more bearing for the upper rafters is to move the walls in and modify the top cut of the lower rafter as shown
here.
Wall Supported Raised (Custom Gambrel only)
To Calculate a Gambrel Roof
4elect 5ambrel oof from the oof Type dropdown list or clic0 on the appropriate toolbar button
to calculate a gambrel roof. The preview window will display an elevation view of the gambrel roof
that reflects the actual dimensions entered. The drawing pages display dimensioned side views of
the bottom and top rafters respectively.
Reuired !imensions
Regular or Custom
) 4elect the type of gambrel before entering any of the other dimensions.
note6 The lower span should be the first dimension entered after selecting the gambrel type.
"pper Slope
Enter the slope of the upper rafter or select from the dropdown list.
note6 The upper slope is loc0ed for regular gambrels.
#o$er Slope
Enter the slope of the lower gambrel rafter or select from the dropdown list.
note6 The lower slope is loc0ed for regular gambrels.
"pper Span
Enter the span of the upper part of the gambrel roof. .hanges to the lower slope or lower height
will affect the upper span dimension.
note6 The upper span is calculated automatically for regular gambrels.
#o$er Span
Enter the lower span of the gambrel roof. This should be the first dimension entered after
selecting regular or custom.
3nce set the lower span is not affected by changes to any of the other dimensions.
"pper %eight
The upper height is the distance from the pea0 of the lower rafter to the pea0 of the upper rafter.
note6 The upper height is calculated automatically for regular gambrels.
#o$er %eight
The lower height is the distance from the floor to the pea0 of the lower rafter.
note6 The lower height is calculated automatically for regulaf gambrels.
&'erhang
Enter the horizontal overhang of the lower gambrel rafter. 7o not include the thic0ness of the
fascia board in the overhang dimension.
To calculate a gambrel li0e the one pictured below! set the overhang and heel height to zero #be
sure to loc0 the heel height$.
%eel %eight(Seat Cut
Accept the default heel height and seat cut dimensions calculated by Easy afters or override the
defaults by loc0ing one or the other and entering the desired measurement. note6 The default heel for
gambrel is ()% of the lower rafter plumb cut height.
#umber Si)es
Enter the lumber sizes for the rafters! ridge)purlins! and fascia. 8f no ridge board or purlins are
used! enter zero for the ridge thic0ness.
Fascia Type
4elect the type of fascia cut desired by clic0ing on the appropriate toolbar button or by selecting
the appropriate item on the 4ettings menu or the popup menu. 5ambrel roofs fascia option
include square cut! plumb cut! and level cut.
"pper Fascia (Wall Supported (raised) only)
The 9pper 2ascia field appears on the toolbar for .ustom 5ambrels when the -all 4upported
#aised$ option is selected. Enter the height of the upper fascia in the field or select from the
dropdown list of standard lumber widths. The upper fascia will always be square cut regardless of
the lower fascia type.