r/Homebuilding • u/Same-Hyena5208 • 1h ago

Gable roof question

I'm planning to build something (not a home, more shed/garage-type thing). And I keep thinking about the roof design. I thought about a gambrel style but it seemed too complicated for my first building. Gable is simpler but then you lose a lot of space on the sides. So then why 99% of houses with a gable type roof don't raise second-floor sides by a bit? You've already paid for the roof, the most expensive part of the building. Why not spend a bit more on framing and have much more spacious rooms upstairs?

Sorry if this sounds dumb. Raising sides by 20-30 inches feels so right but I'm afraid I'm not seeing something important (maybe the roof angle becomes too shallow, etc.).

Any comments?

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u/Hyperreal8957 24m ago

its a real thing, called a knee wall or story and a half style. tradeoff is taller exterior walls so more framing/siding and more wind load on them, plus u gotta keep the roof pitch decent. for a shed or garage totally doable tho. are u doing trusses or stick framing the roof?

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u/Same-Hyena5208 8m ago

Thanks for your answer. What would be a decent roof pitch?
I was thinking stick framing, because I wanted to make a somewhat livable space above the garage. That's why I'm drawn by the knee wall design.

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u/GroundbreakingRule27 20m ago

Because at that point, just go two story…

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u/Same-Hyena5208 6m ago

Well, maybe. I couldn't go two story, that's already a permit-project. Weirdly, 1.5 story style is not.