I’ve been snooping around online and have been surprised to see so little of any value on ‘shed-dormer construction’. Does anyone here have any suggestions for where to find any sort of guide or illustrated material related to this topic for a builder with too much confidence and barely enough experience? ANY help much appreciated!
thanks!
Terry in Seattle
Replies
Terry, there have been articles in the last couple of years in both FHB and JLC on various ways to build a shed dormer. Architectural Graphic Standards http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471241091/qid=1110939878/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-1195175-2566223, and I'm sure many general framing books, show ways to frame one. If you post specific questions maybe we can help?
Mike
Thanks Mike,
That book costs 225 bucks!!! I'll look around some more ... just surprised that there seems to be no real quality material anywhere on the web that addresses the question ... first thing I've found that is not treated quite brilliantly on one site or another. Anyway .. I'll keep poking around.
Thanks again,
Terry
Well, just slide over to the Taunton bookstore....the mag has done a bunch of shed dormer articles. Try back issue search or they are probably all together in one of their framing books.
you would be surpised what you can find at a local librairy.
Cool. Thanks (homer, manimal) .. I'll snoop around summore.
Terry
terry .. here's a photo essay i did last year...
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=39120.1
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
HD has a few books showing house framing/ construction techniques. They are paperbacks and go for about $20 - $30 each. Some are even published by the fine folks at Taunton.Titles are something like Framing Construction Illustrated and Wood Framing - Tips and Techniques.F
Terry,
Issue 158 has a really good article by Nick Pitz, a builder out of Philly.
Jim
Thanks for more good info guys. Nice work Mike!
Terry
one of our bretheren here Mr Huler from up Port Orchard way had a nice one in a thread a couple months back
For a framing pictoral:
Graphic Guide to Frame Construction by Rob Thallon.
Lots of line drawings and flashing details, etc.
For a framing pictoral:
Graphic Guide to Frame Construction by Rob Thallon.
Is that a retrofit, as I'm heading into? Or is it how to frame a dormer into a new roof as your constructing it? Big diff for me ... I need 'how to break open an old roof and install a shed-dormer'.
thanks,
Terry
If you're looking for a "Step 1: Set up ladder" type of how-to-do-it, then no, it's not that type of book.
It's a framing pictoral book with 200+ pages of framing details. From footings/foundation/rebar to roofline.
It may not be the best book for you if you're looking for a bit more hand-holding along the way. Not meant as an insult.
Still, it's an excellent book.
If you're looking for a "Step 1: Set up ladder" type of how-to-do-it, then no, it's not that type of book. It's a framing pictoral book with 200+ pages of framing details. From footings/foundation/rebar to roofline. It may not be the best book for you if you're looking for a bit more hand-holding along the way. Not meant as an insult. Still, it's an excellent book.
I'm definitely not looking for a "Step 1: Set up ladder type of how-to..." But I DID state clearly that I was looking for 'a guide or illustrated material related to framing-in a retro-fitted shed dormer'. You then recommended the Thallon book "for a framing pictorial... with lots of detail, etc.". My question in response was simply, 'does that cover a shed dormer retro-fit? ... or new roof construction?'. Your response did not address my question.
I do see, as you state, that it is a "framing pictorial book with 200+ pages and framing details from footings.foundation/rebar to roofline" ... but as a matter of fact it has nothing related to dormer framing in it. The word 'dormer' does not even appear in the book. (not in the '91 edition at any rate). It's not 'hand-holding' I'm looking for -- it is, as stated, clear details. Thallon's book contains none... related to shed-dormers. But yes, otherwise, an excellent book.
Not meant as an insult either -
Terry
"I do see, as you state, that it is a "framing pictorial book with 200+ pages and framing details from footings.foundation/rebar to roofline" ... but as a matter of fact it has nothing related to dormer framing in it. The word 'dormer' does not even appear in the book. (not in the '91 edition at any rate). It's not 'hand-holding' I'm looking for -- it is, as stated, clear details. Thallon's book contains none... related to shed-dormers. But yes, otherwise, an excellent book."
I pulled my copy of Thallon's book ('91 edition) off the shelf. While limited, it does reference dormers and framed roof openings (chimneys, skylights, etc).
A quick thumb-through of the pages:
The framing schematic on p. 121 refers you to detail drawings on pp. 126, 133, 135, and 141.
Add'l framing drawing on p. 127.
Dormer details if using I-rafters on pp. 143 and 144.
Flashing a dormer? See p. 157, tha shows an overview with references to drawings on pp. 161-163.
Very limited gutters/downspouts dormer details? P. 183.
Limited coverage? Yes. It's limited in that it requires a bit of intuition to translate the pictures into "how to" reality. You'l get no argument from me n that point.
Personally, I like the book. I consider it an asset for the detailed drawings, and it shows the differences in methods or techniques. On that same point, I realize it's not the proper book for everyone.
So, I fall on the sword. You are correct in that it does not enough clear details for you, and you are also correct, it was improper of me to offer it up as a reference as it doesn't fulfill your needs.
"Not meant as an insult either -"
None taken.
Thanks Mongo ... thanks homer...
I truly appreciate the responses.
Terry
"Step one-set up ladder" was funny as hell!
JLC back in July 2002 had an article on a "pop top shed dormer", where the cut into the existing roof, hinged the cut at the peak, and essentially pivoted a section of the existing rof up to create the dormer roof.
Sidewalls were filled in.
An idea that would limit exposure to the weather, but it may be a bit ambitious.
wasn't that blodgett's ?
he was always a big one for pop-topsMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Looked it up, this one was by Bob Dausman.
i remeber jimbo showing us a photoessay of raising the center portion of his roof
i think it's his shopMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I missed that.
JLC back in July 2002 had an article on a "pop top shed dormer", where the cut into the existing roof, hinged the cut at the peak, and essentially pivoted a section of the existing rof up to create the dormer roof.
I've heard of guys doing this. The idea is to use the wood that's there by simply raising it up and not to bring in new. But the guy that I knew that did this ... quite a few years ago, laughingly said that he'd NEVER do it that way again! :]
Aesthetically though, I do like the idea ... the conservation of materials. But it seems like you could still use those boards somewhere else ... on the sides perhaps. They are, of course, 'real' 2X4's ... which is kind of a kick.
Thanks,
Terry
Like 'twas said before, if you get in touch w/taunton, they will sell you all the shed dormer articles, (retrofit/new) you can shake a stick at. I remember at least three. You can even get them downloaded. Search the back issues for "retrofitting a shed dormer"