Crow-stepped gable
A crow-stepped gable, also known as a stepped gable or corbie step, is a design for a building’s triangular gable end. It takes the form of a stair-step pattern at the top of the stone or brick parapet wall which projects above the roofline.
Used as decoration, as well as being a convenient method for finishing brick or stone courses, crow-stepped gables were traditionally used on Dutch houses, Danish medieval churches, and Scottish buildings dating back to the 16th century. They were also a feature of the northern-Renaissance Revival and Dutch Colonial Revival styles of 19th century America.
Crow steps are commonly made of sandstone or brick, which, due to their porosity, generally have to be capped with lead or a stone coping, or sealed with other materials.
In addition, as the roofing slates do not reach the outer face of the gable with crow steps, several techniques had to be employed in order to maintain the water-tightness, including:
- Raising the last slate using a wedge and laying mortar over the edge to seal the gap.
- Cutting a groove approximately 25 mm (1 inch) deep to the inside edge of the steps and inserting a lead abutment flashing.
- Lead flashings placed into the joints between bricks as they are laid.
See also: Crow-step.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
A transformative shift in the design, construction and management of built assets.
Apprenticeship announcement by the Prime Minister
Welcomed but with call for more actionable detail.
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
[[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DConstruction_contract_awards_reach_7.1bn_in_February,_their_highest_level_in_seven_months%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February]]
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.