Cabin With Loft: 14 Roof Shapes and Floor Plans Compared
The roof shape decides how much loft a cabin gets. On the same 24' x 36' footprint, our plans range from a 126 sq ft loft under a split shed roof to a 428 sq ft loft under a storey-and-a-half gable. Steep roofs with upright walls near the top, such as storey-and-a-half gables, mansards and dormered roofs, give the most usable loft; a classic A-frame gives the least, because its sloped walls cut headroom fast.
Below we compare 10 cabins with lofts and 4 single-level A-frames, using the real floor areas from each plan.
How much loft does each roof shape give?
This table shows the loft area as a share of the ground floor. All figures come from the plans; the percentage is the loft area divided by the ground floor area.
| Cabin | Footprint | Ground floor | Loft | Loft as share of ground floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gable, 1.5 story | 24' x 36' | 810 sq ft | 428 sq ft | 53% |
| Modern French mansard | 24' x 36' | 810 sq ft | 361 sq ft | 45% |
| Scandinavian with shed dormer | 18' x 30' | 540 sq ft | about 230 sq ft | 43% |
| Modern flat roof with wing | 16' x 28' plus wing | 583 sq ft | 204 sq ft | 35% |
| Modern saltbox | 24' x 36' | 810 sq ft | 236 sq ft | 29% |
| Gambrel barn house | 20' x 30' | 600 sq ft | about 160 sq ft | 27% |
| Raised alpine A-frame | 22' x 36' | 740 sq ft | 160 sq ft | 22% |
| A-frame with bathroom and kitchen | 23' 4" x 32' | 747 sq ft | 147 sq ft | 20% |
| Split shed with clerestory | 24' x 36' | 810 sq ft | 126 sq ft | 16% |
| A-frame with kitchen wing | 24' x 32' plus wing | 871 sq ft | 127 sq ft | 15% |
Two things stand out. First, the four 24' x 36' plans share an 810 sq ft ground floor, yet their lofts differ by more than three times. Second, a roof that keeps its walls upright higher up, as a 1.5-story gable or a mansard does, gives the loft far more floor you can actually stand on.
Gable and saltbox cabins with lofts
Gable cabin, 1.5 story (24' x 36')
Our 24x36 gable cabin plan with loft has the biggest loft here, 428 sq ft over an 810 sq ft ground floor, for about 1,238 sq ft in all. A 9/12 roof, deep green board and batten and an 8' x 24' covered porch with a timber king post give it a classic look.
Modern saltbox (24' x 36')
The modern saltbox loft house plan uses an asymmetric 8/12 roof and a 14' tall window wall. The 236 sq ft loft sits under the long slope, and the house totals about 1,046 sq ft with an 8' front deck.
Mansard, dormer and gambrel cabins
These roofs are designed to push the walls of the upper floor outward, so the loft feels more like a real room.
Modern French mansard (24' x 36')
Our mansard loft house plan has four steep 68 degree slopes topped by a flat roof with a black cornice. The result is a 361 sq ft loft and about 1,171 sq ft in total, while the highest point stays at about 19' 4", the lowest of the four 24' x 36' plans.
Scandinavian loft house with shed dormer (18' x 30')
The Scandinavian loft house plan adds a long shed dormer to a steep 12/12 gable, so a narrow 18' wide house still gets about 230 sq ft of loft. A 12' high glass front and vertical larch cladding complete the Nordic look.
Gambrel barn house (20' x 30')
A gambrel roof bends outward to make the upper floor wider. Our gambrel barn house plan uses it on a 600 sq ft ground floor with a loft of about 160 sq ft, a two-storey glazed front gable and a 6' x 20' covered porch.
Modern cabins with lofts
Split shed roof with clerestory (24' x 36')
The split shed roof house plan uses two 3/12 shed roofs with a band of clerestory windows between them. The loft is smaller at 126 sq ft, but the design trades loft space for daylight deep in the main floor.
Modern flat roof with roof terrace (16' x 28')
Our modern flat roof loft house plan pairs a 16' x 28' main box with a 12' x 16' bedroom wing. The 204 sq ft loft opens to a 178 sq ft roof terrace, and the front is a 16' wide glass wall.
A-frame cabins with lofts
Raised alpine A-frame (22' x 36')
The 22x36 A-frame loft house plan sets its 60 degree roof on 4' knee walls. Those short upright walls are why it gets a 160 sq ft loft, more than the other A-frames, from a 740 sq ft ground floor.
A-frame with bathroom, kitchen and loft (23' 4" x 32')
Our 23x32 A-frame cabin plan with loft has a 747 sq ft main floor with a bathroom and kitchen and a 147 sq ft sleeping loft. White panel siding with cedar rake boards keeps it light and modern.
A-frame with kitchen wing (24' x 32')
The 24x32 A-frame house plan solves the A-frame headroom problem a different way: it moves the kitchen into an 8' x 12' 11" shed-roof side wing. That frees the main space, which has a 127 sq ft sleeping loft and 332 sq ft of wraparound deck.
When you do not need a loft: single-level A-frames
If stairs are a problem or you want everything on one floor, these four A-frame plans do not list a loft.
Cross A-frame (34' x 38')
Our double A-frame house plan crosses two A-frames over a vaulted dining area for a 972 sq ft floor, with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen on one level and a U-shaped deck.
Small A-frames with a porch (20' x 28')
Two plans share a 20' x 28' frame with 441 sq ft enclosed and a ridge at 17'. The black A-frame house with porch plan uses natural cedar rake boards and a covered porch nearly 6' deep, while the A-frame cabin with covered porch and bathroom plan has a glass gable front and a 6' covered porch. Both include a bathroom.
Small A-frame cabin (16' x 20')
The small A-frame cabin plan is one open 320 sq ft room with a glass gable and an 8' deep deck. It has no loft and no bathroom, which keeps it simple for a backyard, lake or forest retreat.
For loft headroom, stairs and code questions, read our cabin loft design guide. If you are still deciding on an A-frame, see A-frame cabin pros and cons. Browse every design in our loft house plans collection.
Images are illustrative renders of the plan design.
FAQ
Is a loft considered a bedroom?
Not automatically. Most codes require things like a minimum ceiling height and an emergency exit for a room to count as a bedroom, and many lofts do not meet them. Check with your local building department.
Is a loft considered a second story?
It depends on the local code and the loft's size and height. Some areas treat a large loft as a half story or a full story, which can change permit and structural requirements.
Which roof shape gives the most loft space?
In our plans, the 1.5-story gable and the mansard give the most, at 53% and 45% of the ground floor. Classic A-frames give the least, at about 15% to 22%.
How much does it cost to build a cabin with a loft?
It depends on size, roof shape, finishes and local prices. For a breakdown of A-frame costs, see how much it costs to build an A-frame cabin.
Do all A-frame cabins have lofts?
No. Larger A-frames often do, but small ones such as our 16' x 20' plan are a single open room, and some larger plans spread out on one level instead.
About the author: KRMPLANS designs DIY building plans for backyard structures, from chicken coops and sheds to greenhouses and cabins. Each plan is an instant-download PDF with step-by-step drawings, a shopping list and a cut list.
