How To Shingle A House Or Barn Gambrel Roof (Do This!)

Houses with gambrel roofs are a lovely sight to behold. The image evokes feelings of home, the countryside, and sunsets on the porch. But romanticizing aside, gambrel roofs can sometimes be a pain to maintain and even harder to shingle, so how do you shingle a gambrel roof?

To shingle a gambrel roof, measure the area of each sloping section individually and add together to determine the overall square footage. Start at the bottom corner of the lower roof section and install asphalt shingles across the bottom row using galvanized roofing nails. Stagger the next row of shingles so the tab gaps are offset. Nail, bend, and glue shingles over the transitions and continue singling as you would a standard roof.

Because of its four sides, shingling a gambrel roof takes a bit more effort and preparation compared to a standard two-sided roof. Despite the seeming challenges, shingling a gambrel roof doesn’t have to be left to the experts. If you are handy with a nail gun and steady on your feet, you can accomplish this task yourself. You will need to gather a few things before getting up on your roof.

To start on your second row, trim off the first shingle in half. Place this shingle on the left-most or right-most side over the first course and nail it in place. Remember to overlap the second row over the first course according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Continue laying shingles down and nail each one accordingly until you finish the course. Once you reach the last shingle, score and cut again with your knife to remove excess material.

If only for its affordability, asphalt shingles are by far the most popular option for shingling a gambrel roof. Asphalt shingles are simple to install, easy to maintain, and readily available anywhere. However, asphalt shingles are also the least durable when faced with a high-wind situation.

Due to the material’s lightness, asphalt shingles tend to get damaged easily or even blow off when facing strong winds. Unless you have a natural windbreak around your home, such as tall trees or neighboring houses, asphalt shingles may not be your best option.

Architectural shingles are the younger, sturdier, modern cousins of the asphalt shingle. These feature a fiber-glass mat base with ceramic-coated minerals embedded in water-resistant asphalt. Architectural shingles are twice the thickness of asphalt shingles, but they also cost 40%-50% more than the latter.

Architectural shingles come in a dazzling array of styles and colors. They simulate the look of cedar shakes or natural slate tiles. Architectural shingles mimic the aesthetic qualities of wood or stone minus cost, weight, and installation issues.

The one obvious similarity between wood shakes and wood shingles is that they are both made from wood. However, wood shakes are twice as thick as regular wood shingles. They are sawed on one side and hand-split on the other, making them more durable than regular wood shingles.

Wood shakes require more maintenance if your house is in an area known for drastic temperature changes. However, the roof’s gambrel style provides much visual appeal when you pair it with the rustic beauty of wood.

Slate tiles are classically beautiful, last practically forever, but cost drastically more than asphalt, metal, or wood shingles. Yes, you can tile your gambrel roof with slate, but professional roofers suggest otherwise. Due to its weight, slate tiles can burden the already careful bracing of a gambrel roof and cause structural damage.

Slate tiles also become a liability when installed by contractors without slate roofing experience. If you decide on slate, ensure that the contractor you hire for the job has experience in this matter.

Metal roofing is fantastic for weather-proofing a gambrel roof, which can be a big concern owing to its distinct shape. Metal roofing segments snap together, thereby forming watertight seams. These protruding seams then create channels that allow for faster water flow from the upper slopes down to the ground.

Concerned that putting metal on your roof will make your home look like a barn on a farm? There is no need to fret. Metal roofs have advanced much over the years to include designs that hide the fact that they are indeed metal.

Related Questions

What are the pros and cons of a gambrel roof?

The gambrel roof offers a design that appeals to many homeowners. Despite its shape, it is relatively easy to build and uses fewer materials than a standard two-sided roof.  It also adds more interior space, hence its popularity with barns and storage sheds.One distinct disadvantage of a gambrel roof is its inability to prevent snow accumulation. Also, due to its relatively bulky, non-aerodynamic shape, this design does not work well with high wind events. Simply put, gambrel roofs do not hold up well in extreme weather. 

What is the lifespan of a gambrel roof?

The life expectancy of any roof depends on installation, the materials used, climate conditions, and the right care and maintenance.  A properly installed gambrel roof constructed with high-quality materials can last well over a century.  

How do I take care of my gambrel roof?

Check your roof at least once a year and after every weather event, if possible.  Choose a sunny day and look for missing or damaged shingles, and sweep up any plant debris. After a heavy snowfall and when it is safe, get up on your roof and sweep away excess snow accumulation.