Gable finials, also called hip-knobs, are decorative elements that mark the gable end or apex of a roofline. Historically, they were carved from stone and were designed to add architectural interest to a building. In the UK, the Victorians were prolific in their use of finials and many can still be seen today along rooflines, but they can also be seen in a Gothic style, for example, as dragons, wyverns and gargoyles. 
Finials in Australia
More recently, however, finials have been incorporated on less prestigious buildings and even on heritage homes, is typically made from timber. In Australia, Federation buildings built between 1895 and 1910 (the Queen Anne period) often have complex roof forms that include one or more finials. People who want to restore these historical buildings or design a new building based on the Queen Anne style, or those who just want to add a decorative element to their roofline, will at some time need to replace a timber finial that has rotted and decayed
Finials not only add architectural interest to a building, but they are also used to hide the gap where roof tiles meet together at the apex of the roof. Although one hypothesis for their use is that they prevent witches from landing on your roof with their broomsticks!
Most people don’t even notice finials, not until they own a property where the finial is either rotten and needs replacing or has already been sawn off to make replacing the roof easier. There are many companies that make timber finials and you can select from their standard range or request a customized design to make your home unique.
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