OVERVIEW

Dormer installations are common. They are built into new homes and added to older homes. The work is specialized. Building a dormer can be challenging, but the job is not one that should scare experienced contractors. Cutting into a roof and building new space out from the roof can be a bit daunting. Even so, the work is fairly routine and does not offer many major problems.

The type of dormer that you will be building will influence the amount of work at hand (Figure 9.1). A gable dormer requires far less work than a shed dormer. Small, gable dormers are not nearly as large as most shed dormers. However, there is a lot of detail work that goes into creating a gable dormer. This type of dormer is normally used to provide a place for a window.

Figure 9.1: Illustration of gable dormers and shed dormer.

Shed dormers are built to provide additional space in an attic or upper living area. It is very common to build a shed dormer to house a bathroom. Building a full shed dormer, one that runs the entire width of a home, is not unusual. As you might imagine, this is a lot of work.

Dormers are frequently built during attic conversions (Figures 9.2, 9.3). They are needed for windows. When a shed dormer is installed, the square footage of living space is greatly increased. Whenever you open a roof, you have weather considerations to take into account. This is especially true...