Stepped gables, or crowstep gables, are a form of gable wall where the parapet (the part of the wall that extends above the roofline) is stepped down from ridge to eaves, resulting in a number of horizontal sections. When the gable end of a building forms the building’s facade, stepped gables give a pleasing rhythmic quality to its appearance. Apart from this aesthetic consideration, stepping the gable removes the need for cutting bricks or stones to the angle of the roof, and the stepped parapet also serves as literal steps, allowing chimneysweeps or roofers to gain easy access to the ridge. It is this function that offers a clue as to why stepped gables are characteristic of Northern European architecture - the colder climate means more rain and snow, which necessitates steeper roofs, which in turn means more difficult access. Stepped gables are also a common feature of traditional Chinese architecture, though typically with a much smaller number of sections, and with the gable wall forming the side rather than the facade of the building.
A streetscape of stepped gables in Belgium.
Belgium again.
A relatively stark example, lightened by the patterned storm shutters, richly ornamented oriel window, and scupture of a stag on the ridge.
Culross Palace, Scotland.
Three-part stepped gables on the sides of Chinese vernaluar buildings.
Another example of a Chinese stepped gable (here dividing the roof rather than ending it, so perhaps more accurately called a party wall or fire wall).
An interesting example of a European stepped gable which shares features of the Chinese variety: the steps of the gable are themselves pitched, and roofed with the same material (in this case slate?) as the main roof.