Gable accent trim is a great option available to builders and homeowners to significantly improve the aesthetics of their home within the roof’s gable. The aesthetic is far-reaching — as gable ends have been prominently decorated in European countries since the time of Ancient Greece.
In addition to intricate design statements, minimalistic gable accent trim can be utilized in combination with the rake trim, providing another dimension of a home exterior’s color scheme and overall look.
For Starters, What is a Gable?
A gable is the triangular section of a home or building where intersecting roof pitches meet. For many people, it’s one of those things that you’ve seen all your life but never knew its name.
The pitch of the roof will determine how “pointy” a gable will be. Some roofs have a shallow pitch, like 4/12, and some are steeper, such as 12/12. The pitch can be designed for aesthetics, often to create interior space. Many churches and temples achieve spacious inside chambers with grand ceilings by having significantly pitched roofs.
Likewise, the pitch can also be functionally useful. A steeper pitch, for example, is functionally superior to a shallow pitch when it comes to an area that receives a great amount of snow during the winter. The steeper pitch allows the snow to more freely slide off, deloading the roof of significant weight.
Regardless of the roof's pitch, there will often be a gable within the design, typically front-facing. As many cultures figured out 1000s of years ago, this is a great place to add additional aesthetic and decorative features.
What is Gable Accent Trim?
Gable accent trim is an exterior decorative element applied at the apex of the gable, typically extending down and hanging from the rake trim. Gable accent trim is most commonly made from either wood, PVC, or fiber cement, and, when paired with a complimentary or high contrast rake trim, creates the final aesthetic edge of the roof.
Understanding Gable Aesthetics with Accent Trim and Rake Trim
It’s important to understand builder’s terminology and the proper distinctions of a roof, starting with trim. “Trim” is a broad word with definitions that depend on context. Generally speaking in the manufacturing world, trim is used to describe material on the edges or corners of an object. Webster defines trim, “to make trim and neat,” and this is exactly what trim accomplishes. Whether it’s fur lining the edges of a coat or the crown molding and baseboards within an interior room, trim is utilized to cleanly finish off edges to serve an aesthetic purpose and often a functional task, too.
When it comes to “gable trim,” in construction or roofing, often what this is actually referencing is rake trim. Rake trim is the material that lines the edge of the roof along the gable, or the rake, which can be composed of wood board and/or metal flashing. To make matters more confusing, this rake trim, or rake board, is also known as fascia. While fascia is the wood board that lines eaves and all edges of a roof, rake trim/board is the specific fascia that trims a gable’s rake.
When it comes to gable aesthetics, the rake trim closes off the roof edge and provides an area from the top of the roof to the eaves in order to trim the house. The gable accent is the ornamentation used at the apex of the gable, where the two rake trim boards meet, adding a more complete aesthetic appearance to the gable.
Styling Options for Gable Accent Trim
Gable accent trim can be as simple as a pediment tying together the two rake boards at the apex of the gable. This aesthetic style hearkens back to the classic look of medieval European buildings with their prominent gables and half-timbered walls. When color-matched to the rake board running along the roof edges, contrasted against the color of the gable wall, this option can subtly create a dramatic look.
Gable accent trim can go further than just the apex of the gable and extend down the rake board, providing further options to boost the exterior aesthetic. Often known as “Gingerbread” and “Victorian,” these gable accent trims offer more intricate features that can pair with more elaborate exterior design.
Elevate the Design of Your Home with Gorgeous Gable Accent Trim
If you're ready to find the perfect PVC gable trim accents for your home, an expert fabricator can help you get started with your project. Here at PVC Millwork, we specialize in creating lifetime, decorative gable trims tailor-fit to complement any home. Get started by checking out our collections with over 40 design styles available.
If you can’t find that perfect one, the good news is that we do tons of custom work as well. If you have an inspirational photo found somewhere outside our site, we’d love to take a look. Contact us today with any questions for more information regarding our custom fabrication.
