Picture Dictionary of Building Roof Dormers

ROOF DORMER TYPES - Photo guide to roof dormer types & architectural designs
- Photos & sketches of roof dormers: arched dormers,eyebrow dormers & windows, flat roofed dormers, gable dormers, hipped dormers, inset dormers, segmented dormers, shed dormers,
Identification photos & drawings of other building features
ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID - home
ROOFS & ARCHITECTURAL STYLES - separate article
ROOFING MATERIALS, Age, Types - separate article
Questions & Answers about naming the architecture or design of different styles of roof dormers
References

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How to recognize residential building roof dormer shapes & types as a guide to building architectural styles.

Roof Dormer Types - Photo Guide

Readers should see the additional photo and drawing guides to building architectural styles in the links listed at page top or at Related Topics see ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID for illustrations of building architectural types, roof shapes, dormers, windows, and other architectural features. Also see AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine as well as individual building component links listed at Related Topics . Our page top photo shows an unusual placement for a rooftop dormer, along the roof hip in a Port Jervis NY home.

Carson Dunlop Associates' sketch (below-left) identifies common window dormers by shape, clockwise from top right corner of the illustration we show in the table below: hipped dormer, shed dormer, flat dormer, segmental dormer, eyebrow dormer, NY, inset dormer, arched dormer, and gable dormer shapes and windows.

Common Window Dormers by Shape	Dormer Photos Keyed to Sketches at left, taken clockwise from top right corner.	Dormer Name	Roof Dormer Details

		Arched Dormers	Arched roof dormers, left, Boston MA
		Compound Dormers	Compound dormer joins two gable dormers with a flat roofed dormer between them, Hudson Valley, NY
		Eyebrow Dormers	Eyebrow window-dormers, left, Mt. Kisco, NY. Also see Quick Guide to Eyebrow Dormer Windows
		Flat-roofed Dormers	Flat roofed dormer, left, Hudson Valley, NY
		Gable Dormers	Gable dormer, left Poughkeepsie, NY, and Port Jervis, NY
		Hipped Dormers	Hip dormer, left, Port Jervis, NY,
		Inset Dormers	Inset Dormer photos: left, Portland ME, and Molde, Norway
		Segmental Dormers	Segmented roof dormers, left, Vermont, and segmented dormers in Boston MA (compare with Arched dormers)
		Shed Dormers	Shed dormer, left, Molde, Norway,
		Skylights	Skylights are not dormers. Left, triple skylights in a glazed-clay tile roof in Molde, Norway. Bubble-type roof skylights were notorious leakers. See SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR for details.

For information about window types, selection, installation, inspection, and repair, see:

WINDOWS & DOORS, Age, Types
  ALUMINUM WINDOWS
  Best Practices Guide for Windows & Doors:
  CLIMATE, WINDOW CHOICES FOR
  CONDENSATION on WINDOWS & SKYLIGHTS
  Doors, Exterior, Energy Efficiency Guide
  Doors, Exterior Flashing Details
  Doors, Exterior, Frames
  DOORS, EXTERIOR, Selecting & Installing
  DOORS, INTERIOR
  FIBERGLASS WINDOWS
  GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss
  HURRICANE, WIND, & STORM-Resistant WINDOWS
  LOW-E WINDOW GLAZING
  LOW-E VS QUAD-GLAZING
  LOW-E RETROFIT ADD-ON FILMS
  POLYCARBONATE GLAZING
  SITE BUILT DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS
  SKYLIGHTS, Guide to Choosing & Installing
  Skylight Condensation Problems
  Skylight Design Issues
  Skylight Energy Efficiency
  Skylight Installation Procedures
  SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
  SKYLIGHT VENTILATION DETAILS
  SLIDING GLIDING WINDOW DEFECTS
  SLOPED GLAZING DETAILS
  SOLAR SHADES & SUNSCREENS
  STORM WINDOW INTERIOR
  STORM WINDOW PLASTIC CHOICES
  STORM WINDOW WEEP HOLES
  SUNGAIN, FILMS, LOW-E GLASS
  SUNSPACE GLAZING for SUNTANNING
  VERTICAL GLAZING DETAILS
  VINYL WINDOWS
  VINYL / PVC WINDOW WARPING
  WINDOW / DOOR ENERGY EFFICIENT, DOE
  WINDOW LEAKS INTO BASEMENT

SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR how to find the cause of leaks in rooftop skylights and other sloped glazing

A Quick Guide to Eyebrow Dormer Windows

Eyebrow window types (C) Daniel Friedman

Real estate agents, home inspectors, as well as building owners have often referred to the small second floor windows on antique colonial homes (photo at left) as "eyebrow" windows that we include these details to help sort out the confusion.

Our sketch and photo (above) show what an eyebrow window looks like.

Our photo (left) of windows on the Seneca Howland house in Pleasant Valley NY (undergoing renovations by the author) are not eyebrow windows.

At Field Guides to North American House Architecture we list (and you can buy at Amazon) books we have found particularly helpful in identifying architectural styles, including: as this more extensive list of architectural styles: Folk Houses, Native American Houses (U.S.), Pre-Railroad houses, National Architectural Styles (U.S.), Colonial Houses (1600-1820), Postmedieval English, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Georgian, Adam, Early Classical Revival, Romantic Houses (1820-1880), Greek Revival style architecture, Gothic Revival style architecture, Italianate style architecture, Exotic Revivals style architecture, Octagon houses, Victorian style architecture Houses (1860-1900), Second Empire style architecture, Stick style architecture, Queen Anne style architecture, Shingle style architecture, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, Folk Victorian style architecture, Eclectic Houses (1880-1940), Anglo-American style architecture, English style architecture, and French Period Houses, Colonial Revival style architecture, Neoclassical style architecture, Tudor style architecture, Chateauesque style architecture, Beaux Arts style architecture, French Eclectic style architecture, Mediterranean Period Houses style architecture, Italian Renaissance style architecture, Mission style architecture, Spanish Eclectic style architecture, Monterey style architecture, Pueblo Revival style architecture, Modern Houses including Prairie style architecture, Craftsman style architecture, Modernistic style architecture, International style architecture, and American Houses Since 1940: Modern style architecture & Neoeclectic style architecture as well as unusual houses such as Mongolian Cloud (photo, Kuehn) houses and Underground Houses (photo, Roy).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about roof dormer styles

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Vassar College Architecture, Main Building, James Renwick, Jr., architect, William Harloe, builder, Second Empire style, http://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/buildings-grounds/buildings/main-building/
Vassar College, Maryann Bruno, Elizabeth A. Daniels, Arcadia 2001 ISBN 0-7385-0454-8
Vassar College, The Campus Guide, an Architectural Tour, Karen Van Lengen, Lisa Reilly, Princeton Architectural Press, 2004, ISBN 1-56898-349-2
Main to Mudd, and More, Elizabeth A. Daniels Poughkeepsie, NY, 1996.
Historical Sketch of Vassar College, Benson Lossing, New York, 1876.

Field Guides to North American House Architecture

A Field Guide to American Houses, Virginia & Lee McAlester (1984) ISBN-10: 0394739698 ISBN-13: 978-0394739694 includes a pictorial key and glossary to these architectural styles: Folk Houses, Native American Houses (U.S.), Pre-Railroad houses, National Architectural Styles (U.S.), Colonial Houses (1600-1820), Postmedieval English, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Georgian, Adam, Early Classical Revival, Romantic Houses (1820-1880), Greek Revival style architecture, Gothic Revival style architecture, Italianate style architecture, Exotic Revivals style architecture, Octagon houses, Victorian style architecture Houses (1860-1900), Second Empire style architecture, Stick style architecture, Queen Anne style architecture, Shingle style architecture, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, Folk Victorian style architecture, Eclectic Houses (1880-1940), Anglo-American style architecture, English style architecture, and French Period Houses, Colonial Revival style architecture, Neoclassical style architecture, Tudor style architecture, Chateauesque style architecture, Beaux Arts style architecture, French Eclectic style architecture, Mediterranean Period Houses style architecture, Italian Renaissance style architecture, Mission style architecture, Spanish Eclectic style architecture, Monterey style architecture, Pueblo Revival style architecture, Modern Houses including Prairie style architecture, Craftsman style architecture, Modernistic style architecture, International style architecture, and American Houses Since 1940: Modern style architecture & Neoeclectic style architecture
The American House, Mary Mix Foley, Harper Colophon Books, ISBN-0-060090831-9, ISBN-10: 0060112964 ISBN-13: 978-0060112967 1980, has been a guide we have found useful for recognizing house architectural styles
Dutch Houses in the Hudson Valley (NY) Before 1776 (New Paltz area for example), Dover Publications; Re Issue edition (1965) ASIN: B0006BNAD2
A Manual of Historic Ornament, Richard Glazier, 4th ed., ASIN: B001MSZHUC (available used)
Milton Architecture (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback), Anthony M. Sammarco (Author), Paul Buchanan (Author), Arcadia Publishing (December 2, 2000) ISBN-10: 0738504963 ISBN-13: 978-0738504964 discusses the history of the Suffolk Resolves house and other historic homes in the Milton Massachusetts area
Mongolian Cloud Houses, How to Make a Yurt and Live Comfortably, Dan Frank Kuehn, Shelter Publications 2006 ISBN-10: 0936070390 ISBN-13: 978-0936070391
"Written for those interested in alternative lifestyles, outdoor living, camping, and do-it-yourself projects, this lively, informative book recounts the author's experiences building his first yurt. Dan Frank Kuehn carefully guides readers through every step of the creation of a 13' round by 10' tall model. He covers everything — from the poles and lattice that form the basic structure, to the plusses and minuses of various materials, to the distinctive willow smokehole. This updated edition highlights new building techniques and contains detailed lists of commercial yurt manufacturers, tools, and materials."
Underground Houses, How to Build A Low-Cost Home, Robert L. Roy, Sterling; illustrated edition edition (December 31, 1994), ISBN-10: 0806907282 ISBN-13: 978-0806907284
"According to Roy, underground or `earth-sheltered' houses are unexpectedly livable. Judging by his book's attractive pictures, that's easy to believe. The house he bases his point-by-point guide on is indeed a showplace. Its homey touches are just that, though, and Roy's main concern is creating such a house, from drawing up the plans to surveying the site to the actual building. Roy's instruction is insightful and comprehensive....Throughout, he covers construction and installation details that are extremely important for nonprofessionals brave enough to undertake building their own homes."

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Analysis of Modern Paints, Thomas J.S. Learner, Research in Conservation, 2004 ISBN 0-89236-779-2 [Chemistry of modern paints, overview of analytical methods, pyrolysis-gas chromatography signatures of basic modern paints and their constituents, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for paint analysis, direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry, and analysis in practice - technical reference useful for forensic paint science, focused on art works -DF]
Art, Biology, and Conservation: Biodeterioration in Works of Art, Robert J. Koestler et als. Eds., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003, ISBN 1-58839-107-8
Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF - ** Particularly useful text **
Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
Dream Porches and Sunrooms, Designing the Perfect Retreat [purchase at Amazon.com], Michael Snow, Collings Design, 2006, 176pp. ISBN 0-06-084728-x $35.00 U.S. or $46.50 Canada.
Understanding Ventilation, John Bower, The Healthy House Institute, ISBN 0-9637156-5-8, 1995 [General building science-DF - ** Particularly useful text. Mr. Bower has retired from the field but his book continues to be important]
Dampness in buildings, Diagnosis, Treatment, Instruments, T.A. Oxley & E.G. Gobert, ISBN 0-408-01463-6, Butterworths, 1983-1987 [General building science-DF]

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
"Moisture Control in buildings: Putting Building Science in Green Building," Alex Wilson, Environmental Building News, Vol. 12. No. 5. [Good tutorial, "Moisture 101" outlining the physics of moisture movement in buildings and a good but incomplete list of general suggestions for moisture control - inadequate attention given to exterior conditions such as roof and surface drainage defects which are among the most-common sources of building moisture and water entry.--DJF]
Masonite Woodruf® Roofing or Masonite OmniWood® Siding Lawsuit Settlement Notice - PDF file
Paint Handbook: testing, selection, application, troubleshooting, surface preparation, etc., Guy E. Weismantel, Ed., McGraw Hill Book Company, 1981, ISBN-10: 0070690618, ISBN-13: 978-0070690615, [Excellent but a bit obsolete paint theory and practice, also a bit light on field investigation methods, out of print, available used-DF]
How to select and apply the right paint or coating for any surface. The first major reference to help you choose the correct paint or other finish to do the job best on a particular surface exposed to a particular environment. Experts in the field give full advice on testing surface preparation, application, corrosion prevention, and troubleshooting. The handbook covers wood, metal, composites, and masonry, as well as marine applications and roof coatings. A ``must'' working tool for contractors, architects, engineers, specification writers, and paint dealers.
Paint and Surface Coatings, Theory and Practice, R. Lambourne & T.A. Strivens, Ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd., William Andrew Publishing, 1999 ISBN 1-85573-348 X & 1-884207-73-1 [This is perhaps the leading reference on modern paints and coatings, but is a difficult text to obtain, and is a bit short on field investigation methods - DF]
Provides a comprehensive reference source for all those in the paint industry, paint manufacturers and raw materials suppliers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and industrial paint users. R. Lambourne was in the Research Department at ICI Paints Division and the Industrial Colloid Advisory Group, Birstol University, UK.
Seeing Through Paintings, Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies, Andrea Kirsh, Rustin S. Levenson, Materials in Fine Arts, 2000 ISBN 99-051835 [ forensic science, technical reference, focused on art works - DF]
Sealants, Durability of Building Sealants (RILEM Proceedings), J.C. Beech, A.T. Wolf, Spon Press; illustrated edition (1995), ISBN-10: 0419210709, ISBN-13: 978-0419210702
This book presents the papers given at the RILEM Seminar held at the Building Research Establishment, Garston, UK in October 1994. The book provides an opportunity for researchers to review up-to-date progress towards the achievement of the objectives of the standardisation of laboratory techniques of sealants in the variety of service conditions to which they are exposed.
Soiling and Cleaning of Building Facades (RILEM Report), L.G.W. Verhoef (Editor), Routledge; 1 edition (November 3, 1988), ISBN-10: 0412306700, USBN-13: 978-0412306709
The report of a comprehensive investigation by RILEM which examines all aspects of the cleaning of facades, subject to soiling by both biological and non-biological agencies. The contributors are international authorities working in this field giving essential advice to all those who need to know how to approach the problems connected with the soiling and cleaning of building facades.
Staining, Prevention of Premature Staining in New buildings, Phil Parnham, Taylor & Francis; 1996, ISBN-10: 0419171304, ISBN-13: 978-0419171300
The appearance of ugly staining early in a buildings life, ruins an otherwise pleasing appearance, tarnishes the image of the owners and gives rise to costly refurbishment works. In this book Phil Parnham raises a number of questions that should be considered whenever a new building is being designed or built. These are: * why has staining become so prominent; * what causes premature staining; which parts of new buildings are likely to be affected; * how can it be avoided? By using a number of highly illustrated case studies, the author answers these questions and ends by suggesting measures that should be taken by all design and construction professionals to prevent premature staining.
Vassar College Architecture, Main Building, James Renwick, Jr., architect, William Harloe, builder, Second Empire style, http://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/buildings-grounds/buildings/main-building/
Vassar College, Maryann Bruno, Elizabeth A. Daniels, Arcadia 2001 ISBN 0-7385-0454-8
Vassar College, The Campus Guide, an Architectural Tour, Karen Van Lengen, Lisa Reilly, Princeton Architectural Press, 2004, ISBN 1-56898-349-2
Main to Mudd, and More, Elizabeth A. Daniels Poughkeepsie, NY, 1996.
Historical Sketch of Vassar College, Benson Lossing, New York, 1876.
"Weather-Resistive Barriers [copy on file as /interiors/Weather_Resistant_Barriers_DOE.pdf ] - ", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE
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Roof Dormer Types - Photo Guide

Common Window Dormers by Shape

Dormer Photos

Dormer Name

Roof Dormer Details