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Dormer Windows
10
Types of Dormer Windows for Houses
Homestratosphere
Dormer windows are both functional and
attractive. The thing is there are many different types of dormer windows. We
list them all out with photo examples of each.
Dormers are built on the roof and often
contain a window. They project outwards, vertically beyond the plane of the
roof. The dormer roofs are a great way to increase the space in lofts or
attics. The window openings also bring in natural light into the small spaces.
The word ‘dormer’ comes from a Middle French
word ‘dormer’ which means ‘sleeping rooms’. When dormers are built on cathedrals
or churches, they are called lucarnes. The lucarnes are the oldest forms of
dormers since they were used to provide ventilation in the spires of the
buildings. One example of the lucarne is the spire of the Christ Church
Cathedral in Oxford. Dormers have also been used in Britain as domestic
architecture since the 16th century. They became popular after Francois Mansart
used them in mansard roofs.
Types of Dormers
Dormers have always been part of prominent
buildings due to which different types of dormer houses have emerged. Below are
some of the most common types of dormers built across the world.
Gable Fronted Dormer
Gable fronted dormers are also known simply
as a gabled dormer and are the most common type of dormer in the world. They became
widespread after Cape Cod styles become popular home style designs in the 1950s
in the United States. The dormer has a simple pitched roof with two sloping
planes. This is supported by a vertical frame that rises so that a triangle
section forms. This shape has also earned them the name of ‘doghouse’ dormers
due to the similarity in shapes.
They aren’t the fanciest architectural
designs but simply became popular to add light, symmetry, and space to the
home. They have a simple function – to help shed water down the sides and away
from the windows. This can prevent flooding, leaks, and structural damage in
homes.
These dormers can be built on any type of
house. Homeowners preferred the gable dormers due to the simple design which
allowed vertical headroom. Most homes with these types of dormer roofs actually
make groups of 3-5 dormers across the roof.
Nowadays, the shape of the gable actually
depends on the structure system that is used in the home, as well as, aesthetic
concerns, material availability, and climate. The colder the winter gets and
the higher the risk of snow, the sharper the decline of the sloped roofs. The
ends of the gable are often made following the Classic pediment forms.
However, the classic ones function through
trabeation while the gable dormers are made as bearing-wall structures. The
sharper the gable roof, the more it resembles classical Greek and Gothic styles
of architecture.
Hip Roof Dormers
Hip Roof Dormers are also known as hipped
dormers. They have a roof which consists of three sloping planes. These planes
rise from each side of the frame and come together at the ridge. The hipped
roof usually has a fairly gentle slope and has no other vertical sides or
gables. They can also have two trapezoidal sides, as well as, two triangular
sides, depending on the homeowner’s preferences.
If you are making a hipped roof dormer on a
rectangular plan then experts often recommend making four faces. Hip roof
dormers are made with the same pitches or slopes on all sides, which makes them
symmetrical as they reach the center point of contact. They have a pretty
consistent level fascia which means that a gutter can be easily fitted around
the dormer.
Hip roofs aren’t as common as gabled roofs
since they are more difficult to construct due to the complex system of rafters
or trusses needed to build them. However, they can be constructed with a bunch
of plan shapes, which is why they are built in areas where gabled roofs can’t
be properly made. They give a compact and solid appearance to the house due to
which some homeowners prefer them.
The main function of the hip roof dormers is
that they are pretty much integral structures for the American Foursquare
styles. The hip roof is important since it is self-bracing and requires much
less diagonal bracing then other most types of dormers. If you live in a
hurricane region then these roof types are better suited for such housing.
However, hip dormers are hard to ventilate and maintain. They also don’t
provide a lot of natural light, just like a gable with a window.
Wall Dormers
Wall dormers are structures whose facial
plane is integrated with the facial plane of a wall. It is built into the wall
and breaks the eave lines in a building. They aren’t that common dormer types
since they don’t add a lot of aesthetic value to the house. Modern houses also
prefer bigger windows that allow lots of natural light. They are essentially a
continuation of the wall up to the roof. This makes them more like a wall
element that is vertically projecting rather than a part of the roof.
Wall dormers are commonly found in smaller
early buildings. Later structures that included wall dormers were part of the
revival styles that emerged in the 19th-century structures. They are an
important part of styles like the Queen Anne style since they are a part of the
eclectic assemblies of such structures.
Eyebrow/Eyelid Dormer
Eyebrow/Eyelid dormers emerged in Britain
when homeowners began to build small arched windows in their cottages centuries
ago. The glazed slits in the windows looked very visually appealing. They add
some texture to large houses since they break the monotony of flat interior
ceilings or rectangular, linear roofs. They became popular in America after a
Boston architect used them in the 19th century.
Initially, they were used in roofs with
shingles but nowadays have expanded to more designs. They are commonly found in
Post-modern beach houses, as well as, modern cottage designs. Most experts
recommend that custom-made sashes, whether fixed or hinged, are made along with
the eyelid dormer. They require tricky roofing and framing process, which is
why they are an expensive dormer type to get.
The windows in eyelid dormers allow a lot of
light into the interior rooms. The long windows are the main reason why people
consider them as more of a window then a dormer. The eyebrow dormer can be made
in different sizes and shapes from tall half-rounds to Richardsonian sine
curves.
Flat roof Dormers
Flat dormers maximize the slope of the roof
which is why they are considered to be perfect for the back side of houses.
They are built to set back into the slope of the roof or reach all the way to
the main wall under the roof. It depends on the size of the room and the style
the homeowners want. However, they aren’t really that common since they have a
pretty boxy and awkward appearance that looks unappealing to most.
However, the simple style means that they are
cheaper to build and allows bigger windows for lots of light. However, they
don’t shed rainwater or melting snow. This increases the likelihood of leaks.
Experts recommend that high-quality roof membranes should be used for flat roof
shapes like PVC. This can help mitigate water leaks.
Arched/Barrel Roof Dormer
The arched or rounded top of the dormer
indicates the wall space that is left off on the front and the sides of the
dormer. It helps to add some soft contrast to the mostly straight, sharp lines
that most sloped roofs have. It is also called a segmental roof dormer due to
how it segments the roof from the structure beneath.
Barrel roof dormers are usually just built
for the visual appeal rather than any particular function or use. They do have
good window sizes that let in light but are smaller than most other types of
dormers. Keep in mind that they are more expensive to build than gable or flat
roofs since they are an uncommon type of dormer to get.
Shed Roof Dormer
Shed dormers have a single flat plane roof
and resemble flat roof dormers. The roof is sloped in the same direction as the
dormer but at a flatter angle. While gabled dormers are more common, the shed
dormers are designed to actually provide the headroom with a larger area of
space. However, the dormer needs a different roof covering since the roof pitch
is shallower than the roof. This increases the overall costs and makes it
unpopular among homeowners. However, shed roof dormers have no hip or peak and
aren’t rounded at all. This reduces the construction cost and increases the space
beneath.
Recessed/Inset Roof Dormer
Inset roof dormer’s side walls are built
beneath the roof’s slope. This is pretty different from the more common gabled
formers that have side walls extending out and above the roof. They are built
with a flat roofing section in front of the window to compensate for this
structure choice. They are usually installed for the visual appeal they create
and the natural light they bring in. The Inset roof dormer is really small, so
they are easy to build and cost less. However, it holds water, so if you live
in an area where it rains frequently, it is better to choose another type of
dormer.
Pediment Roof Dormer
Most dormers are built into the roof of any
home but the pediment dormer actually extends away from the roof of the home.
They are supported from below by posts or pillars and are quite popular in
American homes. They have a quite dramatic style which goes well with classic
looking housing styles. If you are designing a home based on a more modern or
contemporary design then these will definitely look out of place.
The pediment dormer’s main function is to
provide shelter. They are often built to create covered spaces above entryways,
driveways, patios, or porches. They provide great light and give the illusion
of space really well. They are expensive to build though since costs include
finished undersides, high-end materials, architectural windows, and pillars.
Mansard Roof Dormers
Dormers were actually pretty common features
in Second Empire Style homes. Francois Mansart decided to tweak the common
gambrel roof by inserting windows and making all the sides steeper. This gained
popularity as the Mansard roof dormer. They are a must-have feature in old
Victorian houses but now even modern buildings can be spotted with Mansard
roofs.
Roof dormers are a common feature in homes
because they allow natural light to come into the home. Modern houses are built
with lots of large windows allowing natural light, which is why dormers still
remain one of the most common structures in homes.
About
the Homestratosphere Editorial Staff & Writers
Home
Stratosphere
is an award-winning home and garden online publication that’s a result of our
talented researchers and writers who work directly with hundreds of
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and inspiring articles and design galleries.
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| Gable Fronted Dormer |
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| Hip Roof Dormer |
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| Eyebrow/Eyelid Dormer |
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| Wall Dormers |
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| Shed Roof Dormer |
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| Flat Roof Dormer |
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| Arched/Barrel Roof Dormer |
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| Recessed/Inset Roof Dormer |
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| Pediment Roof Dormer |
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| Mansard Roof Dormers |
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