Gable walls can be seen in structures that have walls which reach the ridge such as Irimoya-zukuri style (a hip-and-gable roof) and Kirizuma-yane style (a gabled roof) buildings, but cannot be seen in those with the Hogyo-zukuri style (pyramidal style) or Yosemune-zukuri style (hipped roof style) roofs.
入母屋造りや切妻屋根等、棟付近に達する壁のあるものに見られ、宝形造や寄棟造の屋根にはない。