If you have been researching shed homes, you have probably seen the standard gable and skillion roof designs that make up the majority of steel frame kit homes in Australia. But what if you want something different? A Dutch gable with its classic charm, a gambrel with that barn-style profile, or a hip roof with gutters running all the way around?
The short answer: yes, we can design and engineer custom roof profiles. The longer answer involves understanding why these roof styles cost more, take longer to build, and why most of our customers choose gable or skillion once they see the full picture.
The Three Custom Roof Styles
Dutch Gable
A Dutch gable combines a standard gable with a hip section at the base of each end wall. The gable sits above the hip, creating a distinctive profile that adds visual interest and allows for ventilation or feature windows in the gable section. It is a popular request from customers who want a more traditional residential appearance on their shed home.
Gambrel (Barn-Style)
The gambrel roof has two slopes on each side: a steep lower pitch and a shallower upper pitch. It is the classic barn profile that maximises usable space under the roofline. In residential use, a gambrel can create room for a mezzanine level or loft area without increasing the overall building height as much as a standard gable would.
Hip Roof
A hip roof slopes on all four sides, meeting at a central ridge line. Gutters run around the entire building. Hip roofs handle wind loads well because there are no flat end walls to catch gusts. They are the most common roof style on traditional brick and timber homes in Australia, so customers who want their shed home to blend into a residential streetscape often ask for this profile.
Why Custom Roof Profiles Cost More
Standard gable and skillion roofs are purpose-engineered for portal steel frame construction. The engineering is proven, the connections are standardised, and the frames go up quickly with minimal bracing. That is by design. The entire supply chain, from steel fabrication through to onsite erection, is optimised for these profiles.
Custom roof profiles change that equation in several ways:
Engineering Complexity
A Dutch gable, gambrel, or hip roof requires custom structural engineering. The load paths are different, the connection details are unique to each design, and the bracing requirements are more complex. This is not a minor drafting change. It is a full re-engineering exercise, priced on a case-by-case basis.
Onsite Build Costs
This is where the cost difference becomes significant. A standard gable frame can be erected with a crane in a matter of hours. The portal frames lift into place, the purlins connect, and the roof goes on. With a hip or Dutch gable, the framing is more intricate. Bracing the frame during erection takes longer. The crane stays on site longer. More labour, more time, and more risk during the build phase all add to the cost.
For a gambrel, the dual-pitch framing adds another layer of complexity. Each connection point between the steep lower section and the shallower upper section needs precise fabrication and careful installation.
Material and Fabrication
Custom roof profiles often require additional steel members, specialised brackets, and non-standard flashings. The cladding layout is different, and the plumbing for gutters and downpipes changes with the roof shape. All of these are priced individually because no two custom roof jobs are the same.
Why Most Customers Choose Gable or Skillion
Once customers understand the full cost picture, the vast majority choose a standard gable or skillion roof. Here is why:
Cost efficiency. The engineering is included in our standard kit pricing. No custom engineering fees, no surprises.
Faster construction. Portal frames are designed for rapid erection. Less crane time, less labour, and a faster path to lockup.
Proven performance. Our gable and skillion designs are engineered for Australian conditions, from cyclonic wind regions to alpine snow loads. The structural performance is well understood and thoroughly tested.
Design flexibility where it matters. With both gable and skillion base models available, plus full custom floor plans through our 3D online designer, you get complete control over your layout, room sizes, window placement, and facade without paying a premium for custom roof engineering.
Owner-builder friendly. Standard roof profiles are easier for owner-builders to manage. The installation process is straightforward, and local shed builders in our 170-strong installation network are experienced with these frames. A complex roof profile may require specialist installers and more hands-on project management.
Can You Still Get a Custom Roof?
Absolutely. If a Dutch gable, gambrel, or hip roof is important to your vision, we can design and engineer it. Every custom roof project is quoted individually based on the specific design, span, wind region, and site requirements.
The process starts the same way as any build: design your home using our 3D online designer, submit your design for a builder review, and let us know you want a custom roof profile. We will provide a separate quote that covers the additional engineering, materials, and any build cost implications so you can make an informed decision.
The Bottom Line
Dutch gable, gambrel, and hip roofs look great. There is no argument about that. But in steel frame construction, the standard gable and skillion profiles are where the value sits. They are engineered for the building method, optimised for fast construction, and priced into our standard kits.
Custom roof styles are available as a special design, priced on a case-by-case basis. If that is what you want, we will make it happen. But if your goal is to maximise value and minimise build complexity, our standard roof options deliver exactly that, with no compromise on quality, span, or design freedom inside the home.
Our owner-builders save between 36% and 42% compared to a traditional turnkey build at $2,500 per square metre. That saving is built on the efficiency of standardised engineering and fast-erect portal frames, and it gets smaller with every custom element added to the roof.
Next Steps
Ready to explore your options? Start with our 3D online designer to create your floor plan, then submit for a builder review. If you have questions about custom roof profiles or want to discuss your specific design, get in touch.
