Types of Dormers

Gable Roof Dormer

• A gabled dormer consists of three basic parts and is commonly used in Craftsman and Tudor architecture. The dormer is made up of a flat front and two small roof sections built over the window. Identifying a gable roof dormer is simple. Look for a design that essentially appears to be a miniature roof over a window.

Shed Dormer

• A shed dormer is the simplest form of dormer. This type of dormer consists of only one flat panel that slopes to the front above the window. This type of dormer is most commonly used on Craftsman, Dutch Colonial and Colonial Revival architectural designs and is the most cost-effective to build.

Hipped Dormer

• A hipped dormer is made up of three roof panels that join at a point over a window. Two of the panels are positioned diagonally over the window, and the third extends outward and downward directly above the window. Hipped dormers are most often used in the design of Craftsman and Prairie-style homes.

Eyebrow Dormer

• Eyebrow dormers are designed and built around a curved roof that slopes to the sides. This style of dormer has a distinctive look, as no hard edges are involved in the design, like in the other dormer styles. Eyebrow dormers are most often a feature of homes built with shingles.