Learn the Reasons Why Adding Dormers to Remodeling Is a Good Idea
If you reside in a house less than two stories tall, the rooms beneath the roof might include less-than-usable floor space. Although the design of the house might be appealing, a large portion of the second-floor area may need to be functional.
Consider adding dormers if you seek ways to make your home more usable. Adding a tiny dormer can increase the usable space, bring more illumination, and provide a fascinating design element to your home’s exterior. It can also improve curb appeal.
While it is possible to raise the roof ultimately, this is a significant undertaking that comes at a cost that can be disruptive to your home. Dormers provide a less expensive option that will give you the square footage and headroom you desire. Dormers raise a part of the space, increasing headroom and making a previously cramped or inaccessible area. At the same time, skylights and roof windows can make the space more inviting; however, they need to expand the amount of space used as the dormer.
Let’s take a look at the different designs of dormers. We’ll also examine the approximate cost and the advantages they can bring to your living space and style.
Dormers Are an Affordable Option
Adding one or more dormers to the space of your home in which you require additional space, headroom, and light is an economical option. Dormers are projections built into the roof, which raises a part of the roof line. The primary considerations for installing a dormer are identical to raising the ceiling. You’ll have to consult with your contractor to plan the project. It should get scheduled at a reasonable date. You’ll have to clear the area and seal it to protect it from dust and dirt away from the rest of your home.
Dormers are a great solution, and as a bonus, you have a wide range of design options. The dormer you select can improve your home’s exterior look, create the required space and make your living area more comfortable. Here are the three most typical types of dormers, along with several alternative designs to consider.
The Gable
When studying the roofline of a house’s side, a triangle formed by the eaves and the peak refers to the roof. Gable dormers mimic this form of an elongated triangle that begins at the eaves. However, get located on the front or back of the top. It’s narrower than the roof at its end and doesn’t reach the peak. A gable dormer may begin higher than the eaves and then have an elongated roof below. A possible “variation” in this style can be the dormer with a doghouse. A roof is a reasonable alternative if you’re considering installing a dormer on your house.
The Doghouse Is a Gable Variant
The doghouse is a variant of the roof. It features sidewalls that make it look like a doghouse along the roofline. Since its roof dormer is a continuation of the home’s roofline to the eaves, it creates a second set of sloping walls within the interior area. Doghouses can be a solution to this problem by adding side walls. That creates an indoor alcove with plenty of headroom between the walls.
Attaching a doghouse onto the roof is different and is more complex since it comes with a peaked roof and side walls. Therefore, constructing a basic gable dormer is more straightforward and less expensive.
The Shed Dormers
The other kind of dormer is called the shed. It is a type of lean-to-shed that rises from the roof. It doesn’t have a roof, but it has a lower slope, which reaches the eaves at an angle at the level of the ceiling within. The shed’s dormer could start at the house’s highest point or a little lower and end at the eaves or a little higher. It gets surrounded by sidewalls that run the entire length and could create a lot of space inside.
A shed dormer could span the entire length of your home or one room. It gives you plenty of headroom, and the floor area gets complemented by windows that let in light. Since it’s a single roofing section, it’s usually more straightforward to build than a doghouse or gable.
Although it’s simpler to build, it also comes with an additional cost. For a shed to get made, it usually requires an architect to create the dormer.
The Eyebrow Dormer
The third dormer style is a blend of all three in a manner. The eyebrow dormer looks like an eye peeking out of the roof. It’s an intriguing architectural element compatible with a wide range of styles for homes from victorian to contemporary. They differ from doghouse or gable dormers because the roofline is curving. That is why an eyebrow dormer can get described as a “softer” option to gain additional space from your attic. They’re less bulky than an attic dormer. The space created inside isn’t a room but more like an alcove.
A variety of aspects, including your budget, space requirements, and the style of your house, will determine your style. Whatever type you choose, the added headroom and more natural light. The added space provided by a dormer can result in a significant home improvement that adds to the comfort of your home and beauty!
In the Ottawa region, Ottawa Home Pros offers home addition services. Give our general contractors in Ottawa an opportunity to win your confidence and business. Call us today at (613) 288-9145 or email info@ottawahomepros.com for your dormer renovation project.
