What Are Dormer Windows? Everything You Need to Know

Upper stories and attics can give you lots of extra space in your home for bedrooms, offices, and hobby areas. However, without windows, those spaces can feel dark and musty, not to mention uncomfortably hot in the summer months. Our ancestors faced the same dilemma, especially because it was common in the past for families to sleep in lofts and attics. Their solution is one we still use today: dormer windows. 

What are dormer windows? In this article, we’ll answer that question and explain all the benefits of this unique and traditional style of window. If you’re looking for new or replacement windows for your upper stories, a dormer window could be a great option.  

What Are Dormer Windows For? 

You’ve got a loft or attic space in your home covered by the slope of your roof. You’d like some natural light and ventilation in the space and maybe even some extra square footage. What do you do? In the 1600s, French and British builders faced this same question. They came up with “dormers,” derived from the French word dormeur, or “sleeper.”  

Dormers extend vertically from a sloped roof and include a window —the dormer window—and their own small roof. The beautiful thing about dormer windows is their classic look. Dormers have been around since the 17th century, and they’re still a common architectural feature in many different styles of homes. They come in a variety of styles, allowing you to enhance the functionality of your living space while also adding visual interest to your home’s exterior.  

Benefits of Dormer Windows

Dormer windows are incredibly versatile and offer a wide range of benefits to homeowners. Perhaps their biggest advantage is their ability to increase the living space in your home. By extending vertically from a sloped roof, dormers create additional headroom and floor space in attics or upper floors. They can transform a cramped attic into a cozy bedroom, provide the perfect nook for a home office, or simply offer a picturesque view that will make your space more enjoyable.   

Dormer windows also add natural light to your upper-story interior spaces. This can be especially important if you use these spaces as bedrooms or offices. Exposure to natural light is known to improve mental health, physical health, and general well-being.  

Finally, from an aesthetic perspective, dormer windows can boost a home’s curb appeal. Many people find dormers to be a charming addition to a home that can improve the visual interest of the roofline and add character to the home’s exterior. All this charm can translate into a higher home value if you plan to sell or refinance.  

Types of Dormer Windows

Think you might want dormer windows, but not sure which kind? You have a lot of options, which means you get to play around with different ideas for dormer windows. Ultimately, these windows are defined by the roofing above the window, so consider what roofing look you want to determine the best dormer windows for your home.  

Gable Dormer

The most popular type of dormer window is the gable dormer. You’ll likely recognize this type of dormer by its peaked roof, which forms a triangle shape. This classic design gives you maximum headroom and window size. It’s a great choice if you want a spacious, well-lit room, loft, or attic.  

Another great thing about gable dormers is that they work with a wide variety of architectural styles, from traditional colonial homes to modern farmhouses. They also seamlessly blend with the existing roofline and even provide good water drainage due to their sloped sides. You can put nearly any type of window in a gable dormer, including double-hung, casement, and even bay windows.   

Hip Roof Dormer 

It’s easy to get gable dormers and hip roof dormers confused as they look very similar. However, where gable dormers have two sloping sides, hipped dormers have three sides, including a sloped roof on the front. Like gable dormers, hip roof dormers give you lots of headroom. They look especially good on prairie homes and cottages.   

Shed Dormer 

Gable dormers and hip roof dormers are great choices if you want higher ceilings and more headroom in your space. If you’re just looking for more all-around living space, however, consider a shed dormer.  

This type of dormer extends outward and features a single-planed roof. They can span a significant portion of the roof, including multiple windows, and give your space lots of natural light and ventilation.  

Eyebrow Dormer

As the name implies, this type of dormer can look a little like an eyebrow, with its curved roof that gently arches over the window. Eyebrow dormers are less popular than the previous dormers on our list, but they can give your home a distinctive feature that helps it stand out in the neighborhood. Eyebrow dormers are often chosen for their aesthetic appeal. They work well in historic homes or any design with a softer, more romantic style.  

Flat Roof Dormer 

Again, the name says it all. Flat roof dormers feature a horizontal roof with little to no slope. They have a more modern style that creates a streamlined look that pairs well with contemporary homes. They’re also highly functional, providing lots of additional interior space.

If you want to get the most space possible from your dormer, you really can’t go wrong with the flat roof design. Flat roof dormers also let you install a variety of different windows, including large windows or even a sliding glass door that can connect to a rooftop terrace or balcony.    

Average Costs for Dormer Windows

Dormers add space, functionality, light, and value to your home, but they are an investment. Putting in dormer windows tends to be a pricier project than a typical window installation.  

According to homeguide.com, adding a dormer to your home can cost between $3,000 and $25,000, depending on the dormer size, style, and materials. The national average cost of installing a dormer will put you back $13,700 or between $65 and $300 per square foot.  

Keep in mind that this cost includes things like: 

• Design 
• Permitting 
• Removing parts of your roof 
• Constructing the fame 
• Adding flashing and shingles 
• Installing the window 
• Installing wiring and lights 
• Cleanup 

If you already have a dormer window and simply need the window replaced, this cost will be significantly lower. On average, a single window replacement costs around $750, but the cost varies based on the window type and materials. 

Choosing the Perfect Dormer Window

Starting to get some ideas for dormer windows in your home? When considering the cost of a dormer addition, just keep in mind what you’ll be getting in return. Adding a dormer to your home may allow you to turn a neglected attic into an office or extra bedroom. That can help your family grow in your existing home rather than moving or bring an aging parent into the house.  

If you have your heart set on a dormer window, make sure you get the project done right by hiring an experienced, fully licensed, and knowledgeable company. At West Shore Home, our window experts can help you improve your home by adding or replacing your dormer windows.  

 Contact us to request a free consultation today.  

Dormer Window FAQs

What’s a Blind Dormer?

Also called a “false dormer,” a blind dormer is an architectural feature that looks like a dormer window but doesn’t actually extend into the interior of the home. They are installed only for aesthetic purposes and don’t include a functional window. Blind dormers can enhance the curb appeal of a home and add to a home’s style.  

What’s the Difference Between a Dormer and a Gable Window

Dormer windows and gable windows often get confused, but they are distinctly different things. Dormers are structures that protrude from a roof, adding extra space to a home’s upper story. Gable windows, on the other hand, are just windows installed in the gable end of a house (the triangle portion of a wall between the edges of a dual-pitched roof.) Gable windows don’t add extra space to a home.  

Can Dormer Windows Improve a Home’s Resale Value? 

By adding extra space, light, and functionality to a home, dormer windows can boost a home’s curb appeal. According to homeguide.com, a dormer window provides a return on investment (ROI) of between 40% and 60%.