gambrel roof

[knuckledragger]

I notice when I look at the pictures of cabins or homes built by students that there is only one that has a gambrel (barn style) roof. Why is this? I have always really liked the look of a gambrel roof and it increases tthe amount of usable space in a 1.5 story structure. Is there some inherent weakness with a gambrel roof that I don't know about? Can one use a gambrel roof effectively with the Skip Ellsworth method?

[kyle]

Knuckledragger,

The gambrel roof works just fine with the Skip style home. I think you don't see more of them because most students like the look of the beamed/tongue and groove ceilings in a log home.

I don't know of any other engineering reasons why you couldn't or shouldn't build a gambrel roof.

[knuckledragger]

Okay, I am about to show my ignorance here, but could you build a gambrel roof using beam/tongue-n-groove construction?

[Shark]

Most of the time students use rafters & T&G on top.

With the other style I'm guessing you need trusses, which wouldn't look as good exposed?...

[rreidnauer]

Okay, I am about to show my ignorance here, but could you build a gambrel roof using beam/tongue-n-groove construction?

It 'could' be done, but it adds a bit of complication due to the transition of the two roof planes. Unless you have some engineered roof trusses, you're likely going to need a wall to support the angle change, but yes, you could still T&G the ceiling portion of the roof. Thinking more, you could add purlins and make that roofline.

Generally, you see the KIS method used with LHBA homes, but anything is possible depending on what you wish to do.

[silcoxjh]

My wife and I are interested in the gambrel style roof as well, but we would like to drywall instead of T&G. How feasible is that for us if we are planning on doing it ourselves?
As a side note, and to sort of expand on my introduction from the Introduce Yourself thread, we are very excited about our 5-year plan. We figure it will take that long to find and purchase land, gather our tools and building supplies after taking the class, and to build. I have read most every post here and on the LHOTI site (including the controversial "Skippy" posts :roll: ) and am trying to learn all I can. I would imagine, even with the lack of experience in most areas, we could conceivably do everything except for maybe the HVAC. Any thoughts on the drywalled ceiling or the latter ramblings?

[WalkingHorseLady]

Yes, you can drywall the ceilling, but most likely you will be on your back high up on a scaffold to do it. Building the Skip way allows you to build the whole roof without scaffolding as you are always working on the top side of the roof. Other members have done what you are wanting, it's just extra work.

For all you gambrel roof lovers, don't feel out of place. FWIW, I will be building single story, square, 48' each side, continuous rim foundation 30" high, with a metal hip roof at 6/12 pitch with exposed beams and T&G just like taught in class (hip roof NOT taught, my own desire). The overhangs will be pretty wide and 4/12 pitch. To hold the roof up there will be one extra big (for carving and RP envy) vertical log in the middle of the house. I also want a horizontal log going from the top and center of each wall across to the vertical pole for attaching an indoor swing, lights, what have me :lol: Richard Rock will engineer for me and says it can certainly be done.

WalkingHorseLady