There are countless ways to enhance the curb appeal of your home. Are you searching for one option with practicality? Then, the addition of a dormer window will be the best option. This inclusion can add charm to your house structure along with more ventilation, light, and space. There are numerous types of dormer windows. Read this guide to understand more about dormer windows, their types to choose the appropriate one, and the installation process.
What are Dormer Windows?
The word “dormer” originated from the French word “dormir,” which implies “to sleep.”
Dormer windows are specially designed windows to let in sufficient natural light, and these windows are often placed on the sloping side of the roof. These windows are installed vertically and project from a sloping roof.
Commonly, these windows are installed in attics or lofts to enhance usable space, increase headroom, and provide more light and ventilation. Dormer windows come in various styles, with distinct architectural appeal and functionality.
What are the Benefits of Dormer Roof Windows?
By including dormer windows in your attic, you can enjoy the following benefits:
Natural Light
The installation of dormer roof windows is an effective method to enhance the entry of natural light into a home. By adjusting the orientation, materials, and dimensions of these windows, homeowners can control the amount and quality of natural light that enters the living space.
Increased Space
Dormer windows can make an attic room feel more spacious. They allow you the flexibility to design the space with added headroom, making it suitable for furniture and storage. As dormer windows are integrated into the sloped roof rather than the walls, you can place furniture against the walls without blocking any source of natural light.
Ventilation
As you know, ventilation is very essential in the house. A room with a dormer roof window can ease airflow, and enhancing the ventilation will help make it a more habitable atmosphere. Dormer window installation offers the highest possible level of ventilation with air drawn in from the surrounding environment.
Curb Appeal
Dormer windows make your house look more attractive from the outside. They add style and help break the plain look of a big roof. By choosing the right window designs, dormers can become eye-catching features that make your home look special and stand out in the neighbourhood.
Higher Property Value
Due to the attractive appearance of the house with a dormer window, you can expect to get a lot of compliments and suggestions and improve its market value. Homebuyers who value aesthetics will be easily attracted to your property.
What are the Different Types of Dormer Windows?
The following are the major types of dormer windows:
Gable Dormer (Doghouse Dormer) Window
This is the most common and versatile type of dormer window. They feature a peaked roof that creates a triangular shape above the window. You can enjoy sufficient headroom and floor space by including a dormer window. Including a gable dormer window enhances your house’s architectural aesthetics with a classic, symmetrical design. They also enhance the exterior aesthetics with their symmetrical design. Classic window styles, like the double hung, work perfectly with these dormers.
Shed Dormer Window
A shed dormer is a roof extension with a single-sloping roof that projects from the main roof of a house. It forms a flat and wide rectangular shape, which helps create more usable space inside the building—especially in the attic or upper floors.
This type of dormer allows more natural light and headroom compared to other dormers because of its wide and tall structure. It’s often used in bedrooms, home offices, or loft areas to make the space feel larger and brighter.
Shed dormers are different from gable dormers, which have a peaked or triangular roof. You’ll commonly find shed dormers in Craftsman-style, bungalow, and modern homes. When combined with casement windows (windows that open outward), shed dormers also help improve ventilation and bring in fresh air, making the room more comfortable.
Hipped Dormer Window
A hipped dormer is a type of dormer that has a roof sloping on three sides, forming a shape similar to a small pyramid above the window. This design makes the dormer blend smoothly with the main roof, giving the house a more balanced and softer appearance.
Hipped dormers are good for ventilation, as the sloped sides allow better airflow in and around the space. They are often seen in French, Mediterranean, and ranch-style homes, where the roof design complements the overall architecture.
Like gable dormers, hipped dormers can also have traditional windows like double-hung windows, which slide up and down and fit well with this dormer style.
Eyebrow Dormer Window
An eyebrow dormer involves a low, curved roof that looks like an eyebrow. It is usually small and mainly decorative, adding a special and charming look to the house. These dormers are not just for looks—they also let in some natural light and cross ventilation, though not as much as larger dormers.
Eyebrow dormers are best suited for Tudor, cottage, and historic-style homes. They often use a custom-shaped, curved window, sometimes called a hemispheric window, to match the soft curve of the roof. These dormers are commonly placed above entryways or patio doors to highlight those areas and often act like a roofed transom window (a window placed above a door).
Wall Dormer Window
A wall dormer is a type of dormer that extends straight up from the wall of the house, instead of projecting from the sloped roof. This makes it look like a natural extension of the building’s wall, blending smoothly into the front of the house.
One of the main advantages of wall dormers is that they create extra vertical space inside the room, making it feel taller and more open. They also make the outside of the house look more impressive and are often used to frame large, beautiful views.
Wall dormers are commonly seen in Georgian, Federal, and other classical-style homes. They pair well with double-hung windows, giving the space—like a bedroom or upper-level study—a traditional and elegant appearance.
Bonnet Dormer
The bonnet dormer window is also called an arched or segmental dormer. They have a rounded roof that creates a gentle arch over the window. This curved shape adds a soft and elegant touch to the roofline.
Bonnet dormers allow a moderate amount of natural light and interior space, making them both decorative and functional. They are ideal for French, Dutch, and Italian-style homes, where the curved design matches the graceful look of the architecture.
Flat Roof Dormer Window
A flat roof dormer has a horizontal, flat roof, just as the name suggests. It has a simple and box-like design, which makes it popular in modern and contemporary-style homes. Because of its shape, this dormer adds maximum headroom and floor space inside the room. It also gives the house a clean, modern look. Flat roof dormers are easier to build and maintain compared to dormers with sloped or curved roofs. They work especially well with casement windows, which open outward and fit the modern design.
Link Dormer Window
A link dormer window is a special type of dormer that connects two different roof sections or dormers. It always creates a hallway or passage between different parts of a building.
This type of dormer is mainly useful in large homes, where it’s important to connect different rooms or wings. Along with usable interior space, a link dormer also adds a little complexity to the roof design.
Nantucket Dormer Window:
Combining two gable dormers with a central shed dormer, the Nantucket dormer maximises headroom and natural light while maintaining a balanced, traditional look. It’s mainly popular in Cape Cod-style homes.
Blind (False) Dormer Window:
As the name suggests, a false dormer is just built for exterior aesthetics, with no actual window or interior opening. It’s used to create symmetry, enhance curb appeal, or preserve historical accuracy in a building’s facade.
Design Considerations of Dormer Windows
When designing a dormer roof window, consider the following factors:
Purpose: Decide the purpose of the dormer. You can choose this for aesthetic purposes to boost your home’s curb appeal. Also for natural light or cross-ventilation. For extra space, you can select dormer windows to create a functional loft or bedroom in the attic space.
Architectural Style: Always choose the dormer style that complements your home’s overall proportion and style. For example, gable dormers are suited for Colonial and Cape Cod homes, hip or gable for cottage styles, and shed or eyebrow dormers for Craftsman or modern homes.
Roof Structure: Make sure your roof can support the chosen dormer style. Gable dormers work well with steeply pitched roofs, while shed dormers are often better suited to shallow roof pitches.
Materials: For material options, wood offers good insulation and a classic look but requires maintenance. Vinyl is affordable and low-maintenance, but it can have environmental drawbacks and may not perform well in extreme cold. Metal (aluminium) is durable and low-maintenance, but less insulating and may need a thermal break for energy efficiency.
Insulation and Waterproofing: For a dormer window, you need to insulate and waterproof properly. Sealing the area around the window is important to stop cold air from escaping and warm air from entering. You can use vapour barrier wrap to keep the space warm in winter and cool in summer, making the room comfortable all year round. Waterproofing around dormer windows helps to prevent water seepage.
How to Install a Dormer Window?
You can follow the following steps to install a dormer window in your house:
- Make detailed building plans and get them approved by your local building authority before starting any work.
- Proper installation of a dormer window is important to avoid future consequences, and this process involves a complicated process. Thus, avoid considering this as DIY and consult with a window specialist or a construction company that can advise you on what materials and style would perform best.
- Carefully choose where to place the dormer. It should look good and be safe for the structure of your house.
- Start by marking out the dormer on the attic level, then open up the roof where the dormer will go.
- Once the dormer is built, have a roofing expert check that everything is done correctly and meets safety rules.
- You can also ask a structural engineer to check if your home can handle the extra weight safely.
In summary, by including dormer windows in your home, you can add energy efficiency along with curb appeal. By cautiously considering type, proportion, window position, and energy efficiency, you can create attractive homes that stand out in the market.
Hemali Patel