BM Building Services Dormers

A Dormer window is one that is built out form the roof in contrast to an ordinary loft window which is built into ie. more commonly known as the Velux window. Dormers are bult up structures, they will obviously radically alter the look of your homes exterior, so a lot of thought should be given to the actual design of the windows.

There are basically two different styles of dormer extension- the flat roof and the pitched roof. When planning either type of dormer extension care must be taken to ensure that the property remains structurally sound as the addition of the window will put a lot of added stress on to rafters and joists.

FLAT ROOF DORMER
Not popular with students of design flat roof Dormer windows are neither the less the most common style of dormer extension because they can be installed quickly and at low cost. The flat roof style, is the one most suited to a modern property. Especially bungalows and provide a lot of extra space. If the property only has a low ridge height than a flat roofed half dormer loft conversion may be the only solution because of planning permission.

Large flat roof structures can sometimes look less aesthetically pleasing and if built in a development where they look out of place. could have an adverse effect to the saleability of your property and more importantly the local council planning department

PITCHED ROOF DORMER
This type of dormer window is often called the cottage style and is particulary suited to older houses and traditionally styled properties.

Pitched roof windows can look charming but they do come at a cost. Literally, they are much more expensive to install than flat roof dormer windows and they some times do not add as much space.