Lofty Ideas: The Advantages of Dormer Windows
Dormer windows not only bring in light and air, they make more room. Here's what you need to know about them
The word dormer is derived from the Latin word dormire, which means to sleep. Traditionally, they were a way of providing light and ventilation for bedrooms incorporated into the attic of a building with a pitched roof. Today, they provide the same benefits – light, ventilation and creating usable space or improving existing space. Here’s what you need to know about dormer windows, along with some examples of houses that have used them to full advantage.
From the outside
Dormers can be incorporated at the outset of planning and construction to create usable space, or they can be part of a renovation to improve the usability of an existing space.
Problem-solving windows
Dormers can be incorporated at the outset of planning and construction to create usable space, or they can be part of a renovation to improve the usability of an existing space.
Problem-solving windows
In Australia, dormer windows are more commonly seen in 19th and early-20th century buildings – terraces, worker’s cottages and villas – and may be original or retrofitted. And as these houses demonstrate, they can be more traditional, or take on a modern or contemporary form.
From the inside
Dormer windows provide a source of natural light and ventilation, and in this way are similar to skylights. However, their vertical profile means they can also be used to create head room in an attic, loft or top floor, and ultimately allow for more usable space.
Dormer windows provide a source of natural light and ventilation, and in this way are similar to skylights. However, their vertical profile means they can also be used to create head room in an attic, loft or top floor, and ultimately allow for more usable space.
How to Take Advantage of a Dormer Window
Create a bay window
A wide dormer can be similar to a bay window as it projects outside the wall. The renovation of this Federation home included the addition of two bedrooms and a children’s rumpus room to the roof space, and several dormer windows were incorporated for light and space. A cushioned seat now provides a comfortable spot for children to read, relax and play.
Create a bay window
A wide dormer can be similar to a bay window as it projects outside the wall. The renovation of this Federation home included the addition of two bedrooms and a children’s rumpus room to the roof space, and several dormer windows were incorporated for light and space. A cushioned seat now provides a comfortable spot for children to read, relax and play.
Create a reading nook
This narrow reading nook provides an alcove for kids to play, read or hide away.
Tip: Southern windows get very little direct sunlight throughout the year, and can cause substantial heat loss during winter. Small windows, such as dormers, can therefore be a good choice as they allow for cross ventilation yet limit heat loss.
Time to give that nook another look
This narrow reading nook provides an alcove for kids to play, read or hide away.
Tip: Southern windows get very little direct sunlight throughout the year, and can cause substantial heat loss during winter. Small windows, such as dormers, can therefore be a good choice as they allow for cross ventilation yet limit heat loss.
Time to give that nook another look
Increase light and ventilation
As with the bay window, this dormer window has been transformed into a comfortable bench or daybed, providing a space to sit or lie in the sun as well as the option of additional seating in the living area. Ventilation can be regulated via the louvres, and the height of the dormer as it extends to the pitch of the roof makes the space far brighter and more open than it would have been otherwise.
As with the bay window, this dormer window has been transformed into a comfortable bench or daybed, providing a space to sit or lie in the sun as well as the option of additional seating in the living area. Ventilation can be regulated via the louvres, and the height of the dormer as it extends to the pitch of the roof makes the space far brighter and more open than it would have been otherwise.
Create more usable space
Similarly, this dormer window allows for more of this roof space to serve as a kitchen. What could have looked and felt enclosed is now spacious, and it allows for a large kitchen with much greater room to manoeuvre in and around.
Similarly, this dormer window allows for more of this roof space to serve as a kitchen. What could have looked and felt enclosed is now spacious, and it allows for a large kitchen with much greater room to manoeuvre in and around.
Increase head room
This bathroom also has more usable space due to the dormer window. A small bathtub fits neatly into the space beneath where the wall meets the pitched roof, and the dormer creates head room above the bathtub.
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This bathroom also has more usable space due to the dormer window. A small bathtub fits neatly into the space beneath where the wall meets the pitched roof, and the dormer creates head room above the bathtub.
Browse more bathroom photos
Create light above the stairs
A dormer window above a staircase not only allows for natural light and air into the roof space, but filters both into the level below.
A dormer window above a staircase not only allows for natural light and air into the roof space, but filters both into the level below.
Create light over a work space
A dormer window in a bedroom or home office can shed light over a desk or work space. This means a study or similar can be incorporated into an attic or loft space, or a desk can be butted up against the dormer in a bedroom.
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Do you have a dormer window in your home? Upload a photo to the Comments section below.
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A dormer window in a bedroom or home office can shed light over a desk or work space. This means a study or similar can be incorporated into an attic or loft space, or a desk can be butted up against the dormer in a bedroom.
Tell us
Do you have a dormer window in your home? Upload a photo to the Comments section below.
More
Read more architecture stories
A dormer is a structural element that protrudes from a sloping roof, and a dormer window is, of course, a vertical window built into a dormer.