To enlarge a closet on a story and a half house, we want to go out the roof with a dormer, and gain space that way. The present closet is a shallow room, nine feet wide, but only a few feet deep, and its back is a 5’6″ high kneewall.
The thing is, since it is a closet, we cannot do a window in this new dormer. The object is space, not light, and a window would rob the wall of valuable storage space. We might glamourize it with a little skylight, but a window is not in the cards.
This new dormer will face the next-door house, and all the houses along this road are on narrow lots, tightly spaced, with their view side at the back facing the lake. In other words, not many will ever see this “blind” dormer. Many of the houses, this one included, have minimal windows along the sides.
Not wanting it to look like a plain pillbox, I’m thinking, what the heck, why not do some semi-elaborate trim structure on the face of the dormer, where there would be a window if this one faced the street. Not a faux window, but something else. I’m not sure yet.
Have you done this? Seen it? Photographed it? Tell me, if you have.
Replies
What about window sill and casing with closed blinds (shutters) ?
Rich
I've seen fake windows put on big box type stores (Wal-Mart, Meijer etc) that have mirrors in them. I guess they look like windows on the outside (reflecting the surroundings tho) but are just walls(?) on the inside. Is this what you are talking about?FINALLY a beer I can actually drink - Lindeman's Lambic Kriek (Cassis isn't bad either...hmmm wonder if they have raspberry or strawberry)
To give an idea of the size and placement of this dormer, here is a pic of the house without the modification. This is the "streetside" elevation.
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And here is the lakeside elevation. The dormer will poke out about where you see the call for the 10:12 roof pitch.
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From my SU model, just completed enough to flesh out the structure of the house, here is the streetside view. You can see the hipped dormer roof, with its rafter outlines
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And here it is from above, if you are a crow or a pigeon.
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Finally, from the lake.
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That dormer is well back from the front along a roof length of almost 90 feet, and it faces the neighboring house across a tight space of minimum setbacks. There will be maybe 22 feet between houses, and the only way you can see it face on, is from an attic window of the adjoining house.
I am thinking that just a "faux" window of trim and different-color shingles within, ought to be enough. Just enough to make us all feel good.
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"A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."
Gene Davis 1920-1985