Dormers

 Dormers are windows that jut out from the roof of a home, and have a roof of their own. The word comes from the Latin dormitorium meaning "sleeping room," because dormers often bring space and light to bedrooms. For decorating purposes, a dormer creates a cozy spot for a reading chair or a desk.

Eyebrow
Eyebrow dormers have a low upward curve, with no distinct vertical sides, allowing for a curved window that looks much like an eye behind sleepy eyelids. Eyebrow dormers are often seen in shingled roofs particularly in the Shingle style of architecture popular in the late 19th century.
 


Gable
Gable dormers have a gabled roof, with two sloping planes that meet at a central ridge. During the English Tudor period in the 16th century, dormers with gable roofs were typical.
 


Hipped
Hipped dormers have a hipped roof with three sloping planes that meet at the top. Prairie Style and Craftsman houses will sometimes have hipped dormers, as will most homes with a hipped roof.


 

Inset
Inset dormers are also called recessed dormers. Unlike most other dormers, which extend out from a roof, this style is set back into the roof, creating a much different look.


 

 

Shed Shed dormers have a roof with a single sloping plane that extends over the window. This style of dormer is seen in a wide variety of architectural styles including Arts & Crafts and Colonial Revival.