I just added a shed dormer on the back of my cape and I would like to put two doghouse dormers on the front. Is there any guide or suggestions as to how to size them? I would guess that I would keep the overhands consitant and line them up with the windows on the first floor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Lots of sketches in the proper scale...
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Thanks for the help.
A place to start is choosing the windows. You have to have the necessary framing around the window and room for abutting framing corners. This is the minimum. You also have to look at how you handle exterior trim and siding. Not much sense in having corner boards that only allow 1" pieces of siding between them and the window trim. If shutters are used, you need room for those.
It's not the best idea to have the roof come up too close to the window sill. Snow build up and rain splash shorten the life. On 12/12 capes, I normally come in 2', there is typically a knee wall at 4'. In most cases, we keep the ceiling level from the room. Figure in the size of the header and choose a window height that will keep the sill above the roof junction 6" or more. If these are your only windows for means of egress, you need to figure the height off the floor accordingly. This may mean moving the dormer out a little more.
Doing scale drawings is the best way to envision how the dormer will look in terms of proportions. The worst looking ones are often to narrow and tall. It's best to match the window in the same width as the ones below. They don't have to match in parallel, Sometimes they are balanced with the roof. Smaller windows can work but larger ones look top heavy. There are exceptions, like on a larger central dormer. Proportion does make a difference to my eye but that depends on the architectural style.
Here are some pictures. You can decide on which ones are successful. Some look like they belong on a different building, some are top heavy, others don't follow anything I've said but still look OK.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks for the help. The advice is great and the pics were very helpful too.
I think you have to be consistant with measurements. Forget first floor windows, make sure they are same distance from gables.
My2Cents.
Thanks for the advice.
Did you search fhb? I remember a little blurb a few months back about how to size dormers. It was good advice from an architect.