Dormer Window Guide & Cost Guide.
A window that is normally installed vertically on a sloped roof is known as a dormer. The roof of the dormer might be flat, arched, hipped, pointed, or embellished. Dormer roof windows come in a variety of sizes and designs and can be installed into the wall or the roof. In order to increase a home’s lighting, dormers were initially employed in French and British architecture in the 1600s.
Dormer’s go well with the bigger roof or other building architectural features. You should carefully examine when and where to add dormers so they do not look out of place on your property. Dormers can enhance the attractiveness and curb appeal of your home
The meaning of the word Dormer.
The Latin term dormitorium, which meaning “a place for sleeping,” is the source of both the English words “dormer” and “dormitory.” Therefore, it should not be surprising that attics are frequently turned into additional bedrooms with a dormer and a window for cross-ventilation.
A dormer can be used to identify a certain house style, such as Georgian, Standard Semi, Bungalows, etc. A dormer can also heighten a horizontally oriented house, especially if it is located extremely close to a street. A dormer with similar detailing can enhance the Georgian Roofs, pediments, and even the similarity and symmetry of windows in the body of the house when it is properly designed.
Why add a Dormer Window?
Dormers can be attractive and beautiful both inside and out. A dormer window can turn a potentially dark attic room inside into a livable environment. A dormer tucked into a big bedroom can expand a second bathroom. Along with adding square footage, natural light and ventilation can improve the comfort and health of a home’s interiors. Call a window expert and master carpenter rather than a roofer if you intend to add a dormer to your house.
Dormer Roof Windows Choices.
There are numerous types and forms of dormer windows. A dormer window may have the same appearance as the other windows in the house or it may have a unique appearance due to a different glass style or shape. Fixed or movable dormer windows are both options for better ventilation.
Challenges of Dormer Roof Windows.
Dormer windows can be a challenging design element to execute correctly. Careful consideration must be given to the pitch, roof line and interactions between the new dormer windows and the surrounding structures as well as the current house.
When dormer window design is done incorrectly, it can destroy a property’s entire appearance and have a detrimental effect on the overall design. It is crucial to consult an architect or designer when adding extra head height for this reason.
What Is the cost of a Dormer Window?
In the UK, a dormer loft conversion can cost up to £20,000, or between £495 and £625/m2. A master bedroom loft conversion with an en suite will, of course, be more expensive, running between £35,000 and £49,995 depending on your location.
However, regardless of the property, a dormer loft conversion like this one is likely to be a wise investment because, according to one building society, a master suite conversion can increase the value of a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house by about 20% (although beware of local price ceilings).
Do Dormer Windows Require Planning Permission?
Dormer windows can be added without typically requiring planning approval, provided that they, among other restrictions, do not rise higher than the roof’s highest point. Prior to starting any work, it is excellent practise to confirm with your local planning authority that the project does indeed fall inside your approved development rights.
You will need building approval for any sizeable work if the house is in a Conversation Area if the exterior materials chosen to match the dormer’s style differ from the existing house.
Various Dormer Roof Windows Types.
The gable faced dormer is the most typical style of dormer window. This typically has a flat roof with a basic pitch that slopes to either side. Below the roofline, the planes are supported by a vertical frame to form a triangle.
The roof of a shed dormer window slopes in the same direction as the roofline, but at a shallower angle.
A hip roof dormer slopes in three directions before coming to an angle.
The eye brow or eyelid dormer style gradually appears with a curved roof and no sides as the roof climbs up and over the dormer in a flattened bell curve.
How to Design Dormer Roof Windows Correctly
Since there were no window openings on the first level of many historic cottage dormers, many self-builders overlook that they are not authentic. Many cottage dormers are essentially retrofits, yet they frequently give the impression that they are original. Why? because they are not excessively enormous and are in keeping with the roof’s size and high pitch.
Due to planning restrictions, many modern self-builders are forced to construct one-and-a-half storey homes with dormers. Keeping the dormer windows in proportion is the lesson to be learned from this situation.
The roof windows on prefabricated “dormer bungalows” are typically their most unappealing visual element. As a result, the front elevation is out of proportion.
The ‘easiest’ place to put a dormer is probably in a traditional cottage since it reduces the chances of getting it incorrectly. No matter the style of the house, keeping the ridges of a dormer well below the main ridge will always appear nicer.
It is recommended to position them about below the halfway point of the roof. The standard procedure is to flatten their roofs if they appear to be getting dangerously near to the ridge.
The roof pitch and dormer roof windows.
It is okay for the dormer’s roof pitch to be steeper than the main roof’s. It is typically possible to have tiled valleys rather than lead ones if they are left alone.
It’s also a good idea to let the dormer’s roof mimic the main roof’s design, such as by matching hips with hips and gables with gables. A dormer put in a gable with a hip needs to have a hip as well; otherwise, it will seem rather strange. A flat-roofed dormer will look much better than one with a pitched roof if the roof has a shallow roof pitch and is frequently covered in slates.
Can you recommend companies that supply Dormer windows?
Yes, based on local reviews our team have put together a list of regional companies supplying Dormer window.
Our team have separated the companies into regions:
Southwest: | | | | |
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| Newlook Windows | 75a Wellsway, Bath, BA2 4RU | 01225 331871 | info@newlookwindowsbath.co.uk | http://newlookwindowsbath.co.uk/ |
| Crystal Clear Bristol | 24 Emery Rd, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5PF | 0117 9713 060 | info@crystalclearbristol.co.uk | https://www.crystalclearbristol.co.uk/ |
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Southeast: | | | | |
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| Shaws Of Brighton Ltd | 8-9 Centenary Industrial Estate, Hughes Road, Brighton, BN2 4AW | 0800 975 5790 | info@shawsofbrighton.co.uk | https://www.shawsofbrighton.co.uk/ |
| Canterbury Windows | Unit 4, Barton Business Park, Canterbury, England, CT1 3AA | 01227 767092 | enquiries@canterburywindowsystems.com | https://www.canterburywindowsystems.com/ |
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East Anglia: | | | | |
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| ERG Glazing | Bull Lane, Cambridge, CB21 5NJ | 01223 902169 | | http://www.ergglazing.co.uk/ |
| Ipswich Windows Ltd | 15 Acer Grove, Ipswich, suffolk, IP8 3RR | 1473689392 | halljason@sky.com | https://www.ipswichwindows.co.uk/ |
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West Midlands: | | | | |
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| Badger Windows Ltd | Unit 3, 1084 Pershore Rd, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2YG | 0121 471 2799 | badger@badgerwindows.co.uk | www.badgerwindows.co.uk |
| Dudley Double Glazing | 31 Taylor Way, Unit F, Dudley, West Midlands, DY8 1LT | 01384 686282 | info@dudleydoubleglazing.com | http://dudleydoubleglazing.com/ |
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East Midlands: | | | | |
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| Derby Double Glazing | 246 Osmaston Road Derby, DE23 8LB | 01332 292778 | info@derbydoubleglazing.co.uk | https://www.derbydoubleglazing.co.uk/ |
| Armour Windows | 17 Marshbrook Cl, Aldermans Green Industrial Estate, Coventry CV2 2NW | 024 7661 4818 | sales@armourwindows.co.uk | https://www.armourwindows.co.uk/ |
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Northwest: | | | | |
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| Lancashire Double Glazing | 213 Havelock St, Preston PR1 7NL | 01772 203111 | sales@lancashiredoubleglazing.co.uk | https://www.lancashiredoubleglazing.co.uk/ |
| Double Glazing Stockport | School St, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 4RA | 0161 483 1997 | info@force8.co.uk | https://www.stockportwindowsdoors.co.uk/ |
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Northeast: | | | | |
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| Billingham Windows | 18a Leeholme Road, | 01642 564245 | Enquiries@billinghamwindows.co.uk | https://www.billinghamwindows.co.uk/ |
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| Leeholme Industrial Estate, |
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| TS23 1AP |
| North East Windows & Doors | 8 Silksworth lane | 0191 563 0094 | enquiries@northeastwindowsanddoors.co.uk | https://www.northeastwindowsanddoors.co.uk/ |
| Sunderland |
| SR3 1LL |
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Yorkshire & Humberside: | | | | |
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| Walkers Windows Company | Trafalgar Mills, Leeds Road, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD2 1YY | 01484 481 020 | sales@walkerswindows.com | https://www.walkerswindows.com |
| Harrogate Windows. | Harrogate Business Centre, Hookstone Avenue, Harrogate, HG2 8ER | 01423 876353 | info@harrogatewindows.co.uk | https://harrogatewindows.co.uk |
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Wales: | | | | |
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| Marches Windows | 33 Ddole Road Industrial Estate, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 6DF | 01597 823822 | info@marcheswindows.co.uk | https://www.marcheshomebuild.co.uk/ |
| Cardiff Windows & Doors Ltd. | 8 Field Way, Cardiff CF14 4HY | 029 2069 2690 | info@cardiffwindows.com | http://cardiffwindows.com/ |
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Scotland: | | | | |
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| McGregor Glazing | Unit 8 Links St, Aberdeen, AB11 5EX | 01224 455390 | info@mcgregorglazing.com | https://www.mcgregorglazing.com/ |
| New Look | 4D Garroch Business Park Garroch Loaning Dumfries DG2 8PN | 01387 248 568 | newlook2@sky.com | https://www.newlookwindowsdumfries.co.uk/ |
It is a very good idea to shop around with local and national Dormer Window Companies. By using Glazing Network we can connect you with over 4000 double glazing companies throughout the UK. Please use our quote form to receive up to 3 quotes from local Dormer Window companies or scroll through the companies and contact them directly.
