What is the primary method for achieving a gable roof?

The primary method for achieving a gable roof involves employing rafters or trusses that run 90 degrees to the ridge. This design creates two sloping sides that meet at a central ridge, forming a peak. The rafters or trusses are crucial as they provide structural support and help define the roof's shape. By positioning them perpendicular to the ridge, they enable the sloping angles that characterize a gable roof, allowing for effective water drainage and snow shedding.

Other methods like using flat beams or constructing a pyramid-shaped structure do not effectively create the gable shape. Flat beams, for instance, do not provide the necessary incline for a gable roof, while a pyramid shape consists of sloped sides that converge at a point, which differs fundamentally from the gable structure. The orientation of rafters or trusses is central to achieving the distinct angular appearance and functionality of a gable roof design.