Rear Dormer Ideas

Prefabricated

• The prefabricated dormer window eliminates at least one step in the building process--hiring a carpentry contractor. When you select home plans or explore designs for home renovation, ask for quotes of prefabricated dormer windows from your contractor. Also incorporate rear dormer windows you find while browsing manufacturer websites. Prefab dormers consist of common building materials such as wood and composite lumber. Coverings include a variety of shingles, lumber products and sidings (i.e. vinyl sidings).

Gabled

• The slope of your roof may influence the type of rear dormer window you choose. For example, if you have a sloped roof on a home with multiple stories or a single-story home with a vaulted roof, you can add the gabled rear dormer. Your flexibility after choosing the gable design for the roof line includes the type of roofing material. For example, if you have standard asphalt shingles on the roof, look for matching shingles for the two sloping sides atop the gable.

Hipped or Shed

• Your choice of rear dormers should also include consideration of the overall architectural style of your home. Each period in American architecture features dormers of particular styles. According to Realtor.org's Architecture Guide, for example, hipped dormers are popular in Prairie Style and Craftsman homes. Shed dormers are popular in Arts and Crafts and Colonial Revival homes.

  Before you choose a hipped style (three sloping panes), a shed dormer (a box-shaped dormer with a flat roof) or another dormer style, research whether your proposed design conforms to local building codes. Some dormer concepts do not fit with roof line requirements in your community.