With prices for homes climbing at an all-time high, homeowners are seeking practical ways to add square area to their homes. If you’ve got an attic area that you’d like to finish but want to add sunlight to the space adding a dormer to your home could be the perfect solution.
What is a dormer home addition? Have you noticed the houses with windows popping from the roof generally in box shape? These are windows that have dormer designs. Many kinds of dormer home additions might appeal to you.
Different Types of Dormer House Additions
Let’s explore the kinds of dormers available which could be an ideal addition to your house. A dormer-style house addition could provide more space for those who want to finish their attic and want more room to walk around the slanted roof. You’d prefer to add ventilation to the area by installing windows.
Gable Dormer
A gable dormer is one of the popular kinds of dormer. It’s named after the roof, or the triangular shape on top, while the sides slope downwards. Gable dormers are usually located along the diagonal edges of the central ceiling, referred to as eaves. They don’t fill the entire slant that the roofing has. There are three or two windows that appear as gable dormers.
Dormers that can be gable can add natural light to the space. The positive aspect is that the valleys created between dormers will reduce stress on the roof because the water can flow freely to drain. Be aware that if you’re making the dormer sit in the room, you’ll have to walk between every window.
Gable dormers can give your home a colonial appearance, and the windows can rise upwards from the roof, adding character to the flat and dark area in front of the house. It is not just an excellent structural option to make a gable dormer for your home; it’s an aesthetic option that can increase curb appeal.
Wall Dormer
A wall dormer is in line with the exterior wall, and it raises the barrier to its roof in a triangular shape. If you live on flat sides that face the outside of your house and a wall dormer could bring some color to the flat roof, that is all you have. It is also possible to add an open dormer window to get sunlight into the interior space and provide ventilation.
Shed Dormer
Many people line the dormers of the shed with dormer windows to give it an elegant architectural appearance. The dormers of the shed are rectangular, with the entire rectangle rising out of the roof’s slanted top. It looks as if it was a lean-to shed breaking into the upper. Many shed dormers serve to increase the size of the standing area in attic spaces. For example, you’d like to convert your attic space into an additional bedroom or two but want to be able to walk around the entire room area. A shed dormer could increase the number of extended ceilings to let you effectively utilize the space.
Hip Roof Dormer
The hip dormer can get compared to a gable-style dormer. However, there are additional structural issues to consider. Adding dormers to a hip roof will require strengthening the top to withstand the added weight.
When you add dormer home additions, you will require the experience of a remodeling company to ensure that the structure of your home remains solid and indestructible. Although adding usable square footage to your house is a luxury, you must make it happen securely, sensibly, and safely.
What Are the Reasons to Think About Adding a Dormer to Your Home?
One of the main reasons people choose to add a dormer is to increase the square area of their home. With home offices becoming trending, is it wonderful to complete the attic space within your home and put your desk on top of an open dormer window with a fantastic view?
Here are a few examples of dormer additions to houses that provide extra square feet while adding excitement and energy to the exterior of your home:
- Create a second floor below the vaulted ceilings
- Complete the attic space, and raise the roof to gain advantages in height
- Incorporate ventilation and lighting into an attic room
- Illuminate your entryway that is vaulted
- Refresh the dull curb appeal of a home with a boxy design
You can improve your home’s value by constructing an addition to your house that is a dormer. You don’t need to shell out a fortune to make this easy addition, and you’ll have more living space to spread out your house. It will increase your home’s value when it gets resold.
Other Things to Consider
Before you begin the dormer house addition plan, there are a few things to consider. Dormer additions are more complex than cutting an opening in your roof and putting in a window. You’ll always benefit from the expertise of a reliable home builder to ensure that all details get provided to avoid being taken by surprise while constructing the home improvement.
Permits
Home renovations are trendy. You may need help securing permits. To ensure your project gets completed safely and on schedule, your experienced house contractor will know exactly what to do to obtain the necessary permits for your home.
If you encounter delays in obtaining permits, you cannot take action to fix them. Instead, find an expert who can provide you with an accurate estimate and an effort to get the permits as soon as possible.
Draining
If you put a whole structure on the roof’s eaves, you could encounter drainage problems. The top gets constructed on an angle that prevents the build-up of debris and water over your top and causes damage to the building materials for the structure.
It is possible to put in the gutter or any other drainage aid to ensure that the roof is in good shape and free of obstructions or accumulations if it gets inundated with water. Consult with your contractor regarding the issues a dormer add-on could create for roof drainage.
Roof Condition
You must evaluate the state of your roof before planning to add a dormer. The roof needs to be in top condition and ready for the demands of a construction project. If it’s time to upgrade the roof, you should do both of the projects at once to allow you to construct around the dormer. In most cases, we’ll have a replacement of the roofing, regardless of its condition and the extent of the work.
One of the last things you’d like to do is add an extension to your house and then deal with leaks within your new addition. A new roof will guarantee fewer problems with cuts and bends that occur in your roof over the years. Instead, you should hire an inspector to inspect the roof before starting the dormer extension.
Contact Ottawa Home Pros for Your Add-On Needs
If you need help adding more living space to your home, consider the possibility of a dormer addition to your house. We at Ottawa Home Pros are ready to assist you with adding your home. There is no need to reshape your home and relocate because you have gorgeous possibilities before you. Contact us today to discuss your requirements for add-ons.
Ottawa Home Pros has quickly earned a reputation as a top home remodeler in Ottawa. We have long-lasting relations with our clients and are always able to call to discuss the next project since homeowners are so pleased by the results of our work. So contact Ottawa Home Pros today at (613) 288-9145 or mail at info@ottawahomepros.com to get started on your dormer house addition.
