Gambrel And Mansard Roofs

Similar to mansard the lower side of the gambrel roof has an almost vertical steep slope while the upper slope is much lower.

Gambrel and mansard roofs. The cross section of a gambrel roof is similar to that of a mansard roof but a gambrel has vertical gable ends instead of being hipped at the four corners of the building. A mansard or mansard roof also called a duch roof is a four sided gambrel style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope at a steeper angle and more vertical than the upper punctured by dormer windows to create additional habitable space such as a garret. A mansard or mansard roof also called a french roof or curb roof is a four sided gambrel style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope punctured by dormer windows at a steeper angle than the upper. You can consider gambrel roof to be a modified version of a gable roof.

A gambrel roof overhangs the façade whereas a mansard normally does not. Mansard roof type of roof having two slopes on every side the lower slope being considerably steeper than the upper. The difference between the two is that the gambrel only has two sides while the mansard has four. The only significant difference is that a gambrel roof consists of vertical gable ends and is not hipped at the four corners of the building structure.

If you are not familiar with a gambrel roof then let us first explain its architecture in brief. In cross section the straight sided mansard can appear like a gambrel roof but it differs from the gambrel by displaying the same profile on all sides. Although the style was used as early as the mid 16th century in england and italy and was employed by pierre lescot at the louvre it was named for the 17th century architect françois mansart who used it on paris hôtel s. The cross section of a gambrel roof is very similar to that of a mansard roof.

A gambrel roof is positioned such that it overhangs the façade of the building.