If you plan to redesign your house, you should first know about dormers on the roof. The dormer is one of the oldest architectural styles, known as a window that protrudes from a sloped roof. There are many types of dormers on the roof that you can choose from. Each type reflects a different style and adds to the beauty of your home. There are many kinds of dormers on roof ideas. Each type brings a unique style and purpose to improve your home and the way you enjoy your space. You can have a trussed dormer or a double-hung dormer. You can even have a hitched or gabled dormer. Regardless of the type of dormer on roof ideas, it will allow additional light, space, and enjoyment. In this article, we will discuss 15 types of dormers on roofs.
1. Gabled Dormers
Gabled Dormers are probably the types of dormers on the roof you most commonly see. They have a sloped roof with two sides, and this roof is parallel to the main roof. These types of dormers also form a triangle shape. Look at the picture below! That’s what we mean by a gable dormer. Gabled dormers are great because they allow more light into the attic space than other types of dormers.
However, they do not provide any headroom in that space, so it will still be challenging to stand up in it if you were to go up there. Some types of gabled dormers can have decorative elements such as shutters or cornices above the windows, but they are generally simple in design. A single gable dormer can add a charming touch to a home; multiple gable dormers give houses a stately appearance and add visual interest to the roofline.
2. Flat Roof Dormer
A flat roof dormer is the most common type of dormer on the roof. It is typically used on a hip roof, but it can also be used on other types of roofs. A flat roof dormer is easy to incorporate into a new home design. Because of its popularity, it’s probably the type of dormer you have seen most often because of its popularity.
The flat roof dormer consists of a window on a sloped roof with an exterior wall below. The slope of the dormer matches the slope of the roof and should be in proportion with the rest of the house. There are several different ways to achieve this look, so you’re sure to find one that suits your home style. A flat roof dormer can be as simple as a box with a window and a roof over it, or it can be more complex with roofs, columns, and more windows.
A flat roof dormer is often used when extra headspace is needed under the eaves, such as staircases, bathroom plumbing, or vaulted ceilings. These windows are usually rectangular or square in shape, but they can also be arched or octagonal.
3. Hip to Gable Dormer
Hip to gable dormer is a dormer constructed of two pitches, one of which is that of the hip roof and the other being that of a gable roof. The design aims to maximize usable living space in your attic by allowing you to stand up straight without having to crouch over. A hip to gable dormer can be done in several different ways depending on the style of your home. The most common type of dormer on the roof is the L-shaped dormer, which has a pitched roof on one side and a flat roof on the other (usually facing towards the street or front garden).
It’s essential not only for aesthetic reasons but also because it helps prevent water from leaking into your attic when it rains, or snow melts off onto it during the winter months. Another type of hip to gable design is called “Dutch Gables” which were two pitches instead of just one. This allows more natural light into the room than would otherwise be possible if there were only one pitch, like with an L-shaped dormer.
4. Shed Dormer
Shed Dormers are popular types of dormers on roof choice for those looking to maximize the home’s square footage. This type of dormer features a single-plane sloping roof that’s similar to the main roof of your house. The shed dormer is often attached directly to the main roof, which means they are easy to build, and they can give you plenty of space in your attic without adding any more square footage to your home.
Although building shed dormers is relatively easy, you must find the right contractor and architect if you want your shed dormer to look good and be structurally sound. If you’re to add more living space to your home, a shed dormer could be a great option. Shed dormers have been around for centuries and have become very popular in recent years as people look for ways to use wasted space in their homes. Shed Dormers are an excellent way to increase living space in your home, especially if you don’t want to add extra square footage or need additional rooms on the same level as other rooms.
5. Arched Dormer
Arched dormers are characterized by a curved top and bottom with a flat front. These dormers are often installed on buildings with a round or curved roof, though they can be installed on buildings with pitched roofs too. The primary purpose of an arched dormer is to add space, light, and ventilation to an attic or second story. An arched dormer has many advantages as a home design element:
- It’s unique.
- It adds depth to the facade of the home.
- It increases the available square footage within the home.
Arched dormers also make for excellent decorative elements on homes with either a round or sloped roof. These dormers are most typically used in a gable-front style of roofing, but they can also be used in hip roofs or shed roofs.
6. Eyebrow Dormer
One of the most popular roof design elements is the eyebrow dormer. This dormer type is characterized by a gently arched or eyebrow-shaped roof that appears very graceful and delicate. Some people prefer to use eyebrow dormers as accents on their home’s exterior, which can break up the monotony of an extended roofline. This type of dormer is also well-suited to homes with hipped roofs because it adds visual interest without making the roof look too busy.
But they can be used on other types of roofs, as well they are often combined with gabled dormers to create contrast in a home’s architecture. These dormers may have a window in them or not; instead of glass, they may have shingles or louvers installed in them. They are usually small, although they can be significant as well. The key to an eyebrow dormer is that its shape resembles an arched eyebrow on a person’s face.
7. Wall Dormers
Dormer windows are a great way to boost your curb appeal, but they can be hard to find. If you have a low-slope roof or build from scratch, consider adding a wall dormer. A wall dormer is a window that protrudes from the roof. It can be made into an existing structure or created as the original construction.
Because they are built into the wall, they do not require a separate support structure like other dormers do, making them ideal for homes with a low-slope roof. The lack of a support structure also means that they will not allow water to leak through, making them great for rainy climates. They do tend to be more expensive than other types of dormers.
8. Bonneted Roof Dormer
The bonneted roof dormer is one of the most common dormers, often seen on Cape Cod-style houses. It features a short, sloped roof with vertical sides and a horizontal gable at the top. It can be built into the central roof plane or slightly above it. The bonneted roof dormer is a versatile choice because it can be added to almost any home style.
It can be customized in different sizes, shapes, materials, and more. This roof dormer is one of the most common dormers, often seen on Cape Cod-style houses. It features a short, sloped roof with vertical sides and a horizontal gable at the top. It can be built into the central roof plane or slightly above it.
9. Mansard Roof Dormer
The Mansard roof dormer is a prevalent dormer type in the US and Europe. It has a flat roof, often made of slate, with four roof sections sloping down to four walls. This dormer can be placed on the top of a gable or hip roof and is relatively low in height. Because it has a flat roof, this dormer is the easiest to build.
The four walls can be created from wood or metal and can be covered with any type of sidings, such as brick or stucco. The flat roof is usually covered with slate and will have an overhang on all four sides. The overhang also helps keep water away from the dormer so that it’s not damaged by water. Because this type of dormer has four walls, it doesn’t need much maintenance and can last for many years.
10. Segmental Arched Dormers
Segmental arches have been around for thousands of years, since the time of the Romans and Greeks. They’re one of the most practical architectural features. They provide a wider opening than other types of roof dormers, which can be used to create more living space in the attic or add skylights, windows, or balconies.
These arched dormers are created by an arched roof supported by columns on either side. The arched window is paired with a deep sill, adding to the architectural interest of this dormer style. The arches can be relatively shallow or deep, and they can be paired with any type of window frame. A flat roof is a common choice for this dormer style, but it might also be combined with a curved roof or gable.
11. Flared Roof Dormers
Flared roof dormers are a good choice for homes with a gabled roof and those with a hipped or hip roof. Flared dormers also have many other names, including eyebrow or bull’s eye dormers. These dormers are generally round or semi-circular in shape and have flared tops that extend past the home’s exterior wall.
This type of dormer is typically small in size. It can be used to add functionality to an attic space without affecting the overall aesthetic of the exterior of the home. One benefit of this type of dormer is that it has a flat surface on top, which means it can create a usable space in the attic area.
12. Elliptical Roof Dormers
Elliptical roof dormers are types of dormers on the roof and great way to add value and character to your home’s exterior. They’re also a great way to add lots of additional light and ventilation, which can be a significant benefit if you have an attic space that’s often too warm or stuffy. Here are some of the reasons why elliptical roof dormers are such a great choice:
- They let natural light into the attic with more efficiency than other types of dormers.
- They’re suitable for framing a fantastic view from your attic space.
- They add a lot of architectural interest to your home’s exterior, increasing curb appeal and home value.
- Because they’re so much more comprehensive than most other types of dormers, they provide excellent ventilation for the attic area and increased light and better views.
- Elliptical roof dormers complement many different types of architecture, from Victorian homes to traditional ranch homes and even modern farmhouses.
13. Curved Roof Dormers
Curved roof dormers are not as common as other dormers, so they can make your home unique. Curved roof dormers are not just attractive. They can also increase the size of your home without having to deal with the hassle of adding on. You can use curved roof dormers to create more space in an attic or a new room. The appealing shape of curved roof dormers is created by using curved rafters and jack rafters.
The jack rafters hang from the curved rafter, which is attached to the primary framing of your home’s roof. The jack rafter is then covered with sheathing, usually made from plywood or OSB (oriented strand board). The sheathing gives the curved roof dormer its distinctive shape. In addition to being attractive, curved roof dormers are also very practical. They can be used for almost any purpose you have in mind for your home. For example, you could use them to add an extra bedroom or create an office space in your attic.
14. Double Pitched Roof Dormer
The Double Pitched Roof Dormer is similar to the Gabled Roof Dormer, but instead of a peaked roof, it has two sloped sides. Although this dormer window is more complex than a Gabled Roof Dormer, it can be built at any pitch and is ideal for roofs with steep gradients. The Double Pitched Roof Dormer should be placed in the center of the top or along the perimeter to be most effective as an egress.
It will require less support from the main roof structure to be built over an existing room. However, it will require additional structural approval on either side to build out the dormer. These Dormers come in many styles, from elegant to rustic, but none are as versatile as double pitched roof dormers when it comes to adding character to your home’s exterior. Their steeply-pitched fronts make them appear taller than they are, so they’re perfect for adding height if you’re looking to increase curb appeal with an attractive architectural feature.
15. Combination Dormers
Combination dormers are a popular style of dormer that is used in all types of architecture. They have been used as an eye-catching element for centuries, but they are often used to create a more classic aesthetic in modern times. A combination dormer is a dormer that combines two or more dormers into one.
The most common type of combination dormer is gable dormers with shed roof dormers on the side. Other styles include gambrel and hip roof dormers. The combination will depend upon what type of roof it is and the overall look you are trying to achieve.
Wrapping Up
Having a dormer on your home or office roof will surely increase its value. Besides adding space to your house, it can also be used as a guest bedroom and create a more spacious and open feel. It is important to note that not all dormers are the same size and structure, so be sure to select the one that suits your needs best. Also, if you plan to use the room for living purposes, you will want to make sure that it is connected to an existing bathroom to enjoy maximum comfort.