A dormer is a vertical window that projects from a sloping roof. They are often used to add light and headroom to attic rooms. Dormer is a popular architectural feature that can add character and charm to your home’s exterior. Dormers come in all shapes and sizes, and can be customized to complement any home style.
Most dormers have a gabled roof, which means that the dormer window is flanked by two sloping sides that meet at a peak. However, there are also dormer types that feature hipped roofs, shed roofs, or gambrel roofs. The type of dormer you choose will depend on the overall style of your home as well as the amount of light and headroom you need in your attic space.
When it comes to dormer windows, there are endless possibilities for customization.
Why is it Called Dormer?
The word “dormer” is derived from the same origin as the word “dormitory,” both of which are derived from the Latin word dormitorium, which means “a sleeping place.” So, it should come as no surprise that attics are frequently transformed into extra bedrooms with a dormer to cross-ventilate with a gable window. Dormers may have been added to an older large house to accommodate live-in domestic workers.
Why Add a Dormer?
Dormers can be both beautiful and appealing on the outside and inside. A dormer window can transform a dark attic room into a habitable room on the inside. A dormer tucked into a large bedroom can be used to expand an existing bathroom. Aside from providing additional living space, natural light and ventilation may make spaces more pleasant and healthier.
Dormers can define particular house styles, such as Neo-colonial and Colonial Revival, Stick Style, Chateauesque, Second Empire, and the American Foursquare. A dormer can also give a horizontally oriented house a sense of height, especially if the property is located near a street.
A properly built dormer can accentuate the architectural characteristics in the body of the house—Victorian scrollwork, pediments, and even window similarity and symmetry all be enhanced by a matching dormer.
Dormers, like all windows, must blend in with the original style of your home or they will appear out of place. Ideally, you shouldn’t be able to tell that your dormers are new additions to your house – they should fit in with the materials, style, and shapes of the rest of the structure, making them appear to be original elements, especially if you are updating a period-style home.
Styles of Dormers
There are various shapes and styles of dormer windows that you can choose from. The most popular options are:
- Eyebrow Dormer: An eyebrow dormer is often used to add light and ventilation to a second story room. Unlike a traditional dormer, which has a sloped roof, an eyebrow dormer has a curved or arched roofline. This gives the window a distinctive appearance, and it can also help to maximize the amount of natural light that enters the room. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, eyebrow dormers are also known for their energy-efficiency. By deflecting heat and cold away from the windows, they can help to keep the interior of the home more comfortable year-round.
- Shed Dormer: Shed dormer has a shed-like roof characteristic, with a single sloped surface. Shed dormers are often used to create additional headroom and light in a second-story space. They are also commonly used in attic conversions to create livable space. It can be constructed with a variety of different roofing materials, including shingles, metal, and even glass. shed dormers are a great way to add both function and style to your home.
- Gabled Dormer: A Gabled dormer comes with a sloped roof. The sides of the dormer are usually vertical, but they can also be angled. Gabled dormers are often used to add light and ventilation to a space, and they can also be used to create interest and variety in the architecture of a building. Gabled dormers can be found on all types of buildings, from simple homes to grand castles.
- Segmental Dormer: Segmental dormer usually has a curved or arched roof. Segmental dormers are often used to add light and ventilation to attics and loft spaces. They can also be used to create a more unique look for a home. Segmental dormers are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so it is important to choose one that will complement the existing architecture of your home. It can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, brick, stone, and metal.
- Hipped: Hipped dormers are most commonly seen in Classic and Tudor style homes. They get their name from the fact that they have a hipped roof, meaning that all four sides slope down towards the center. Hipped dormers usually have two small windows set into them, and they often add a lot of charm to a home’s exterior. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, hipped dormers also help to increase the amount of natural light and ventilation that a home receives. As a result, they are a popular choice for many homeowners.
Take a Pass on Fake Dormers
The false dormer, similar to beautiful cupolas perched atop a roof for no apparent reason, is a developing trend, particularly in new commercial real estate. Dormer units are attached to the roof without breaking through it in an attempt to mimic a certain hometown colonial form of architecture. False dormers can be out of proportion—too big or too small—and appear artificial. This type of false architectural detail contributes to the artificiality of planned towns like Celebration, Florida.
Dormers can genuinely lift a home and make it look greater when they are constructed to be in proportion with the property’s roof and erected in a suitable position. However, if the windows are excessively large, the entire roof may appear out of proportion, negating the impression of the dormers. Dormers should be placed just below the roof’s ridgeline to make the roof look proportionate (having dormers directly on the ridgeline can make the roof look unattractive and out of balance).
Wrapping Up
Remember that dormers are simply windows, and glazing is two-faced. A dormer lets light in while also providing a perspective of the outside world. However, it also allows neighbors to peer in and alters the appearance of your house from the street. Dormer windows can bring your home to life.