gable

Beginner 🏠 Real Estate

Definition

The triangular portion of a wall at the end of a pitched roof, between the edges of the roof and the upper endpoints of the wall. Gables are a distinctive architectural feature found in many building styles and can be decorative or purely structural.

Example Usage

The Victorian house had steep gables on both ends, giving it a classic storybook appearance.

Origin

From Old Norse 'gafl', related to the sloping ends of roofs in Scandinavian architecture.

Fun Fact

The term 'gable end' specifically refers to the wall itself, while 'gable roof' describes the roof design that creates the triangular shape.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)