Gambrel

Gambrel

A gambrel (also known as a Dutch gambrel) is a usually symmetrical two-sided roof with two slopes on each side. The upper slope is positioned at a shallow angle while the lower slope is quite steep. This design provides the advantages of a sloped roof while maximizing head space on the building's upper level. The name comes from the Medieval Latin word "gamba" meaning "hoof", or "leg of an animal".

The gambrel roof is associated with Colonial architecture, and particularly Dutch Colonial.

It is not uncommon for a gambrel roof to be referred to as a Mansard roof, although the more precise usage of the terms "gambrel" and "Mansard" is that a gambrel roof applies the two-slope idea to only two sides of the building (forming gables), whereas a Mansard roof applies the two-slope idea to all four sides of the building (forming hips). It is also not uncommon for laypeople not versed in architectural terms to refer to a gambrel roof as a "barn roof" (because gambrels are often mentally associated with barns).

ee also

*Mansard roof (the two-slope idea applied to all four sides of the building, forming hips rather than gables)

External links

* [http://www.barnplans.com/gambrelroof.html How to Build a Gambrel Roof]
* [http://www.enonhall.com The Restoration of an 18th Century Gambrel Home in Virginia]


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  • gambrel — hipped roof, 1851, short for gambrel roof, so called for its shape, from gambrel horse s hind leg (c.1600), earlier wooden bar to hang carcasses (1540s), perhaps from O.N.Fr. gamberel, from gambe leg, from L.L. gamba (see GAMBOL (Cf. gambol)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Gambrel — Gam brel v. t. To truss or hang up by means of a gambrel. Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gambrel — Gam brel, n. [OF. gambe, jambe leg, F. jambe. Cf. {Cambrel}, {Chambrel}, and see {Gambol}. n.] 1. The hind leg of a horse. [1913 Webster] 2. A stick crooked like a horse s hind leg; used by butchers in suspending slaughtered animals. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gambrel — [gam′brəl] n. [NormFr < OFr gambe: see GAMB] 1. the hock of a horse or similar animal 2. a frame shaped like a horse s hind leg, used by butchers for hanging carcasses ☆ 3. GAMBREL ROOF …   English World dictionary

  • gambrel — /gam breuhl/, n. 1. the hock of an animal, esp. of a horse. 2. Also called gambrel stick. a wood or metal device for suspending a slaughtered animal. [1540 50; < ONF gamberel, akin to F jambier legging, jambe leg] * * * …   Universalium

  • gambrel — n. (in full gambrel roof) 1 Brit. a roof like a hipped roof but with gable like ends. 2 US = curb roof. Etymology: ONF gamberel f. gambier forked stick f. gambe leg (from the resemblance to the shape of a horse s hind leg) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Gambrel roof — Gambrel Gam brel, n. [OF. gambe, jambe leg, F. jambe. Cf. {Cambrel}, {Chambrel}, and see {Gambol}. n.] 1. The hind leg of a horse. [1913 Webster] 2. A stick crooked like a horse s hind leg; used by butchers in suspending slaughtered animals.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gambrel roof — gambrel roofed, adj. a gable roof, each side of which has a shallower slope above a steeper one. Cf. mansard (def. 1). See illus. under roof. [1755 65, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • gambrel roof — ☆ gambrel roof n. a roof with two slopes on each of its two sides, the lower steeper than the upper …   English World dictionary

  • gambrel roof — noun a gable roof with two slopes on each side and the lower slope being steeper • Syn: ↑gambrel • Hypernyms: ↑gable roof, ↑saddle roof, ↑saddleback, ↑saddleback roof * * * noun : a curb roof of the same section in all parts with …   Useful english dictionary

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