Converting flat roof to gable-style roof

gordieax · 11-08-2012, 05:38 PM

I'm wondering if anyone in the DIY Forum has converted a flat roof to a gable roof?? Here's my situation: I have a 2nd floor bedroom addition built over an attached garage. The addition (bedroom) basically has a low slope, flat roof on it. The roof size is 12'w x 22'L. The roof doesn't leak b/c it's always been covered with a good epdm rubber job. Ponding or pooling of rain water is minimal. My desire to create a gable roof over the flat roof is to better deal w/ or shed snow loads b/c I'm basically getting too old to get up there and shovel off 2' feet of snow in the winter! Any thoughts, input or experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

joecaption · 11-08-2012, 05:42 PM

Post some picture so we can see what your seeing.
Pretty common job so I know there's people here that have done ot.

gordieax · 11-08-2012, 05:54 PM

I've tried to attach a pic of the flat portion of the roof -side view, a pic of the side view of the house- garage side from the ground and also a pic of a model I created of the proposed gable roof. Hope they help explain the situation. Thanks.

shazapple · 11-09-2012, 03:09 PM

If you are shovelling snow you must suspect the structure can't hold the snow load? I'd put my money into that, because it looks like you have a pretty good roof system as is. As for your model, it would be a large expense for little gain to put anything less than a 4/12 pitch.

gordieax · 11-09-2012, 06:32 PM

The 2nd floor addition and roof in question, located in New England, has been in place for 20 yrs. w/ really no problem.The flat area of the roof is approx.12' wide and 10' long and was framed w/2x6 located 12" on center to help carry any snow load. As I mentioned , I've shoveled it during heavy snows not b/c I anticipated any possible load failure but to eliminate any risk. Bottom line is , I don't want to find out if it will fail to carry a heavy snow load; I prefer to act preemptively. Safer than sorry but I can't be getting up there for many more years, know what I mean?

sixeightten · 11-09-2012, 07:29 PM

If your not having any problems, I would recommend hiring a roofer to shovel the few times a year that it needs shoveled.

11-08-2012, 05:38 PM	#1
gordieax Newbie Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arlington, Ma Posts: 20	Converting flat roof to gable-style roof I'm wondering if anyone in the DIY Forum has converted a flat roof to a gable roof?? Here's my situation: I have a 2nd floor bedroom addition built over an attached garage. The addition (bedroom) basically has a low slope, flat roof on it. The roof size is 12'w x 22'L. The roof doesn't leak b/c it's always been covered with a good epdm rubber job. Ponding or pooling of rain water is minimal. My desire to create a gable roof over the flat roof is to better deal w/ or shed snow loads b/c I'm basically getting too old to get up there and shovel off 2' feet of snow in the winter! Any thoughts, input or experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

11-08-2012, 05:42 PM	#2
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,799	Converting flat roof to gable-style roof Post some picture so we can see what your seeing. Pretty common job so I know there's people here that have done ot.

11-08-2012, 05:54 PM	#3
gordieax Newbie Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arlington, Ma Posts: 20	Converting flat roof to gable-style roof I've tried to attach a pic of the flat portion of the roof -side view, a pic of the side view of the house- garage side from the ground and also a pic of a model I created of the proposed gable roof. Hope they help explain the situation. Thanks. Attached Thumbnails

11-09-2012, 03:09 PM	#4
shazapple Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlantic Canada Posts: 329	Converting flat roof to gable-style roof If you are shovelling snow you must suspect the structure can't hold the snow load? I'd put my money into that, because it looks like you have a pretty good roof system as is. As for your model, it would be a large expense for little gain to put anything less than a 4/12 pitch.

11-09-2012, 06:32 PM	#5
gordieax Newbie Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arlington, Ma Posts: 20	Converting flat roof to gable-style roof The 2nd floor addition and roof in question, located in New England, has been in place for 20 yrs. w/ really no problem.The flat area of the roof is approx.12' wide and 10' long and was framed w/2x6 located 12" on center to help carry any snow load. As I mentioned , I've shoveled it during heavy snows not b/c I anticipated any possible load failure but to eliminate any risk. Bottom line is , I don't want to find out if it will fail to carry a heavy snow load; I prefer to act preemptively. Safer than sorry but I can't be getting up there for many more years, know what I mean? Last edited by gordieax; 11-09-2012 at 06:35 PM.

Converting flat roof to gable-style roof