What are Dormer Windows?
Our Austin Architects Define and Explain the Benefits of Dormer Windows
If you’ve driven down charming tree-lined streets dotted with stately Colonial homes or quaint Craftsman bungalows, you’ve probably noticed dormer windows poking out from the rooflines. What are dormer windows, you ask? Dormer windows are charming architectural features that bring in natural light and add interest to a home’s front elevation. If you are considering adding dormer windows to your home, you need to learn what styles are available as well as the benefits and challenges of incorporating them into your design plans. Our Austin architects define what dormer windows are and explain the benefits so you can determine if they are the right fit for your home.
Dormer Windows by DK Studio
What are Dormer Windows?
Dormer windows are roofed structural features that project from the sloped plane of the main roofline to increase the usable space and bring natural light into an attic, loft, or room with a vaulted ceiling. Dormers often contain windows. However, they can also include vents or simply a solid wall. While dormer windows are incorporated into a structure’s main roofline, they have their own smaller roofs that tie back into the larger roof plane.
Dormer Window Styles
Just as there are different roof styles, there are different dormer styles. Whether you are planning your first remodel or building your first house, it is important to familiarize yourself with the options available in order to select the style that best matches the architecture of your home. Here are four of the most popular dormer window styles.
Gable Dormer
Gable dormers feature a traditional gable roof peak where two sloping sides meet to form a triangular point. This style contrasts the main roof slope from which the dormer juts out.
Gable Dormers by DK Studio
Hip Dormer
Hip dormers have three roof planes that all meet at one point. In this style, two roof slopes go down the sides, and one goes down the front. Hip dormers complement the main roofline.
Shed Dormer
Shed dormers include one roof plane with a shallow slope in the same direction as the main roofline. This dormer is one of the simplest styles to achieve.
Eyebrow Dormer
Eyebrow dormers feature a curved roof that peeps up from the main roofline, resembling an eye. This dormer style is more specialized and makes for a unique architectural feature.
Home Styles With Dormer Windows
The first step to the residential design process is deciding which architectural style is right for you. While dormer windows can be applied to most home designs, some architectural styles are more closely associated with this feature. Here are five home styles well-suited for dormer windows.
Cottage
The charming character of cottage-style homes would not be complete without a picturesque dormer window on the front exterior. Cottage homes typically feature gable or hip dormers.
Cape Cod
Cape cod homes typically feature a steep gable roof, shingle siding, and charming shed or gable dormer windows to maximize the living space on the second floor.
Craftsman
Craftsman-style homes with second stories or attic spaces typically feature one short, horizontal dormer in the shed, gable, or eyebrow style placed over the front porch. In addition, craftsman homes usually have one wider dormer with multiple windows instead of multiple narrow dormers with one window.
Craftsman Dormer Window by DK Studio
Colonial
Symmetry and stately lines define Colonial architecture. Gable dormer windows are often added to the attic space to give these two-story homes an even grander look from the front elevation.
Mission
Occasionally, Mission-style homes will feature a dormer window with a small window or vent in the attic space to increase ventilation and airflow. Since Mission architecture is prevalent in warmer climates, there is a significant need for temperature regulation.
Benefits of Dormer Windows
Here are the top four benefits of dormer windows.
Bring in Natural Light
The biggest benefit of dormer windows is that they bring tons of natural light into otherwise dark and closed-off rooms. By installing a dormer window, it is possible to transform a dark and dingy attic into a bright and airy living space.
Inside View of Dormer Windows by DK Studio
Increase Usable Space
Dormer windows project from the main roofline, increasing usable space and creating cute alcoves in the interior. Adding a dormer window can turn a cold attic into a cozy bedroom complete with a charming window seat.
Add Charm
From Craftsman to cottage, dormer windows are associated with some of the most charming architectural styles. From the exterior, dormers add character and curb appeal. Inside the home, dormer windows provide an inviting feel and create cozy spaces like window seat nooks.
Allow for Ventilation
Dormer windows provide ventilation, allowing homeowners to increase airflow in the home or release heat through the attic. In warmer climates, dormer windows can significantly impact keeping things cool.
Challenges of Dormer Windows
Here are two challenges of dormer windows to consider.
Create Odd Ceiling Angles
Since dormer windows rely on the slope of the main roofline, they tend to create odd ceiling angles inside. Sloped ceilings present challenges for taller people navigating the space and limit furniture options.
Can Be Difficult to Plan
Another challenge is getting the roof pitch to work with the sill height of the window. Careful measurements must be made to provide enough flashing between the sill and the roof—a minimum of six inches is required.
Should You Add a Window Dormer to Your Home?
Dormer windows are a great way to increase usable living space on upper floors, increase natural light inside, and add character to the exterior of your home. Since they are a versatile design feature, they can be incorporated into almost any architectural style. If you are renovating a property, make sure adding dormer windows is structurally possible before carrying through any plans. If you are building a new home, talk to your architect about incorporating dormer windows into the design. Almost anyone can add a dormer window to their home with the proper planning!