Homes come in all shapes and sizes. Many families choose their homes based on the overall aesthetic rather than focusing on particular features. Though this is perfectly fine, it does reduce one’s ability to appreciate the finer details that go into a beautiful home. When it comes to roofing, it’s not uncommon to overlook design even further. When homeowners consider their roofs, it’s often in relation to their condition rather than their architectural design. This puts many people at a disadvantage when purchasing a new home or building a new construction. The architectural design of your roof can have a significant impact on the roof’s functionality and can be a benefit or a hindrance, depending on where you live. There are many distinct styles of roofs, but the dormer style is absolutely one of the most unique.

What is a dormer roof?

It’s probable that you’ve seen a dormer roof before but didn’t realize that it was a distinct style unto itself. These roofs are characterized by dormer windows, which are windows that stick out from vaulted roofs and have roofing that is separate from the rest of the home’s roof slope. This provides additional space into interior rooms that have vaulted ceilings and can create nooks that are great for beds and other uses. This style dates all the way back to the 1500s in Great Britain, but variations of this style were used as early as the 12th century. Throughout the centuries, this style has been used to bring additional space and light into attic areas that previously had very little. Now that electricity is the standard, they are generally added for additional natural light or to compliment the home’s overall shape and aesthetic.

Types of dormer roofs

The dormer genre has several subcategories that are each a little bit different but still classify as dormer roofs. Remember, these classifications refer to the dormer itself, not necessarily the overall roof. The dormer often has a different shape than the larger roof. Here are a few types of dormer roofs that you may find:

Gabled. This style involves a dormer that has two slopes and one peak on top.

Shed. The shed style is a simple, one-slope roof from the larger roof over the window. There is no roof slope on the sides. Despite the name, this style is often found on homes and not on garden sheds.

Arched. On these dormers, the roof over the window is curved. This style has a French history and has a distinctly European look.

Pedimented. The pedimented roofs have a similar shape to the gabled style but involve a crossbeam that creates a triangle at the top of the window. This detail may seem small, but its roots come from Greek architecture, and this small variation can have a big impact.

Wall. While most dormers exist entirely on the roof of a home, wall dormers exist at least partially on a wall of the home. These can be more aesthetically pleasing for homes that have relatively small roofs. A wall dormer’s roof can be altered, as this style is not defined by the roof shape.

There are several other styles of dormers that are possible for a home. However, these are the most commonly found styles and represent the basics of a dormer roof.

Dormer roof considerations

When looking at a home with a dormer roof, or if you are considering adding one to your home, there are several things you’ll want to think about. As with any home feature, the dormer roof has pros and cons that may sway you in one way or another.

dvantages:

Dormer roofs increase airflow. With the added window, you can get fresh air in attics or upstairs rooms that were previously blocked in by your roof.

Additional light. Dormer roofs create natural light in attics and upstairs spaces, which makes them more livable.

Added space. A dormer may seem like a small feature, but it can bring a significant amount of space into a room. Many people choose to put their bed or a reading area in the space a dormer roof provides.

Curb appeal. Dormer roofs are a desirable commodity for a home and add increased curb appeal to your property.

Disadvantages

Leak risks. Naturally, adding more roofing and window seams raises your chances of leaking. This risk can be mitigated by investing in a quality roofer to install and maintain your dormer roof.

Price. Dormer roofs can be expensive to install. Depending on the style, one window could cost anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000.

You can’t do it alone. Even the most experienced DIYers won’t be able to install a dormer window by themselves and will need to call a professional.

Interior uses for dormer roofs

Dormer roofs don’t just make your home’s exterior look nice, but they add a significant amount of space and variation to inside rooms as well. There are several types of rooms that dormer roofs typically benefit from, and an endless amount of possibility for how to arrange and decorate each one.

Bathrooms. Attic bathrooms are a great way to turn the space from a living space into a master suite or private living quarters. Dormer roofs add enough headspace to move around comfortably and stand at a bathroom sink.

Bedrooms. Adding a window to your attic space can make it an official bedroom on the housing market and makes it more pleasant for you as well.

Living areas. You may choose to continue to use your attic space for a general living area. The natural light helps to make it a desirable place to read, play games, or sip coffee.

Of course, there are an infinite amount of possibilities of what you could do with your dormer roof space. With the additional light, you can customize your attic to function however you’d like.

Contact Mr. Roof

Whether you have an existing dormer or want to install one, the experts at Mr. Roof are here to help. For over 50 years, our professionals have been helping families create and maintain their dream homes. Whether you have a question or want a job done fast, we are always here for you.Contact us today for a free estimate. 

The post All About Your Dormer Roof appeared first on Mr Roof.

Steven Bland

www.ameristainroofing.com

Spring brings with it lots of happy events. The flowers start to bloom, the sun feels warmer, and the summer months are almost in reach. Though spring is generally a happy time of year, it is worth remembering that it also brings an increased risk of severe weather. Tornado season extends from March to June in most parts of the Midwest and plains areas. During this time, it’s important to be as prepared as possible in case an emergency does occur. Many people stock up on bottled water and flashlights in case of outages, and many families and schools make a plan in case a tornado strikes. As you are making these plans, it’s beneficial to remember to keep your home safe too. There are several things you can do to protect your home from a tornado and minimize the damage to your roof.

Have your trees trimmed

Maintaining your trees is a common task in the springtime for most homeowners, whether they live in a tornado-prone area or not. Trees that are especially old or tall fracture easily under the pressure of wind and flying debris. Have a landscaper inspect your tree and remove any dead branches or excess twigs that could easily fly off in a storm. By eliminating weak spots, you lower the chances of parts of your tree flying into your home. It’s best to inspect your trees in the spring, even if you had them pruned in the fall, as the weight of snow may have caused new damage to occur.

Secure outdoor furniture

It’s very important to have a plan for patio furniture. In the case of inclement weather or a storm in the forecast, secure your patio furniture or bring it inside. Though patio furniture is sturdier than indoor couches and chairs, it can still be swept up in tornado winds. If your patio furniture is projected into the air, it can crash into your home and cause damage to your walls and roof. The best course of action to avoid extra damage later is to put such items in a secure location.

Clean your gutters

Gutters are a natural gathering spot for debris in the springtime. As the snow melts, it brings every object from your roof down into your gutters. This debris can prevent water from effectively draining off of your roof, which becomes a problem in a storm. Without a clear gutter to direct it, the water can leak into your home, flood your yard or pool on your roof. All of these possibilities have expensive consequences. Clean gutters will direct the water away from your home and into the sewers where it belongs. While the gutters are being cleaned, make sure to secure any loose screws that are holding the metal to your roof. This small detail can prevent your gutters from being torn off by wind gusts.

Have your roof inspected

Tornado season is a perfect excuse to have your roof inspected. This should be done regularly anyway, and having it done in the springtime helps to ensure that your home is prepared for a storm. An expert will be able to tell you if there are any areas of concern or issues that make you particularly vulnerable to storm damages. Some examples of problems are:

Roof deterioration or rot. Excess moisture will eat away at your roofing materials. If left unchecked, these spots are extremely vulnerable to breakage during storms.

Loose nails. As with your gutters, securing all parts of your roof can help to ensure that nothing flies off during periods of strong wind.

Leaks. If there is a leak in your roof, there is the possibility of flooding and excess damage. Sealing leaks ensures that the inside of your home stays dry and protected.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible problems. A professional roofer will be able to thoroughly assess your roof and give you a detailed list of possible weak spots.

Contact Mr. Roof

In situations of extreme weather and potential damage, you need a roofing company you can trust. At Mr. Roof, we have over 50 years of experience in the roofing industry and understand the volatile nature of the Midwest tornado season. We have helped countless families avoid massive damage to their homes and have helped repair roofs for families who got hit especially hard. We give you as much peace of mind as possible during the spring storm season and do quality work on which you can rely. To begin your storm preparations, or for a free estimate on any other roofing or exterior home project,contact us today.

The post How to Prepare Your Roof for Tornado Season appeared first on Mr Roof.

Steven Bland

www.ameristainroofing.com