Roof Dormers

Costs
Durability
History
Pictures

Popular Home Additions Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers
References

Roof dormer additions have been used in homes for centuries. Their main purpose is to add extra living and storage space, or they are built simply because they’re aesthetically pleasing. If a roof dormer addition is something you’d like for your own home, we have all the information you need to get started.

Costs

The cost of installing a roof dormer depends on a few factors: the type and quality of the roofing and construction materials, the size of the dormer, and professional labor rates in your area. Hiring a contractor for a dormer the size of a single- or double-wide window should cost between $2,500 and $5,000. However, larger dormers could cost as much as $20,000.

Pictures

Pros

Roof dormers add additional living or storage space to a home.

They can help with air flow and natural light, and even provide a reading nook or window seat.

Roof dormers can add a traditional element to a variety of homes.

Cons

Roof dormers can be costly additions.

Because they protrude outward, roof dormers can be hard to maintain.

May be complicated and time-consuming to install.

Durability

For the most part, the durability of roof dormers depends on the materials used to construct them. Consult with your contractor about how to care for your roofing material, new windows and any other major concerns.

Common Questions and Answers

Are all roof dormers mostly for functional purposes?

No, sometimes they are “fake” roof dormers. That is, they are built onto the roof as a purely aesthetic architectural feature to make the home look bigger than it actually is.

Fake windows are often built into these dormers with a section of plywood or even glass painted black to give the illusion of interior depth. However, even these fake dormers may have a hole cut in the roof beneath them and a vent installed to promote air flow.

Is there more than one type of roof dormer?

Yes, roof dormers are generally either built-out (the most common), partially built-out/partially cut-in dormers, and cut-in dormers (the least common).

History

Dormer roofs first appeared in the 17th century and can be attributed to the architect Francois Mansart, who also designed what are now known as Mansard-style hip roofs.