← Glossary
Roof trusses

Gambrel truss

A gambrel truss gives a roof with two slopes on each side, a steep lower slope and a shallow upper one, as on a traditional barn.

Also known as gambrel truss, gambrel roof truss, barn truss, mansard truss, mansard roof truss

Breaking each side of the roof into two pitches creates more headroom under the roof than a simple pitched truss, which is why the shape suits barns, garages and houses with rooms in the roof.

In North America this shape is called a gambrel. The mansard is a related form; in the UK and much of Europe the word mansard is also used for gambrel-shaped trusses.

Related terms
Attic trussAn attic truss leaves an open rectangular space in the middle of the roof, so the loft can be used as a room. Piggyback trussA piggyback truss is a tall truss made in two parts: a base truss and a separate cap truss fixed on top of it on site. Truss typesRoof trusses come in many shapes, such as fink, mono, attic, scissor and girder trusses, each suited to a different roof form, span or use of the roof space.
From term to production line

Talk to Randek

Building this at scale? Tell us what you produce and we’ll point you to the right system.

Talk to your team Back to the glossary
Talk to your team