The Benefits Of Dormers

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The Benefits Of Dormers

Dormers are architectural elements that are typically used to add extra space or light to the attic, second story or loft of a home. They accomplish this by protruding outward from the sloped roof of the main structure. There are a number of different styles of dormers available, ranging from small eyebrow dormers that are used primarily to add light, all the way up to shed dormers, which are often used to add large additions to an attic space. Dormers offer a number of advantages including the following:

Expand Your Space

If you have a one-and-a-half story home or a home with an unfinished attic, dormers are the perfect way to expand your space. One of the main problems with attics or half-story floors is that the edges of the roof drop so low that a large portion of the space lacks adequate headroom.

Dormer windows help solve this problem by increasing headroom at the edges of the space. This is a relatively inexpensive way to dramatically increase the functionality of the space. Instead of having to duck down any time you approach the edges of the room, you can stand up tall and comfortably use the space.

Add Light

Another problem with attics or lofts is that they often lack windows. This can make them feel dark and confining. Dormer windows help open up the space — not only by raising the height of the ceiling, but also by bring in light through the addition of windows.

Many homes place multiple rooftop windows along the entire length of the roof as a way of bringing a great deal of light into the space. If you are on a tight budget, you can even use small eyebrow dormers to add a bit of light to the space without having to undergo major renovations.

Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Another major advantage of dormers is that they typically add architectural interest to your home, which in turn can improve its curb appeal. This can not only make it easier to sell in the future, but can even help increase its resale value.

People love homes that have interesting architectural details. By adding dormer windows to your upper floor, not only do you create more usable space inside your home, but you also help it look more beautiful from the outside. Just make sure that you choose dormers that are a good match for the existing architecture of your home.

Dormers can be a fun way to make your home more functional and attractive. Whether you want to increase the amount of space and headroom on your upper floors or want to bring more light into the space, these simple additions can help you accomplish your goals.

Finally, if you are looking for an affordable way to improve your home’s curb appeal, adding on dormers could be the perfect solution. Just be sure to talk to a qualified architect before undertaking any renovations to make sure that the dormer style you choose is a good match for the existing architecture of your home.

If you are planning on adding dormers to your home please don’t hesitate to call (631) 620-3435 for a Free Estimate

Visit http://www.cslongisland.com/contractors/dormers.html for more information on Dormers!

C&S Long Island Contractors Dormers Specialist
91 Rome St Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 620-3435

Dormers Cost That You Should Be Aware Of

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A Thing Or Two About Dormers and The Cost That You Need To Be Aware Of

dormers-cost

When discussing interior decor, a lot can be said about the subject. The furniture, the spaces, the color and other decorative elements all go into making a home beautiful. However, there are fewer choices of elements that can be incorporated into the roof of the house with a specific aim of adding a touch of beauty to it. Dormers have historically been used over the years to detail roofs of houses and add some spectacle to the roofs.

With this in mind, more and more homeowners are finding the desire to add a dormer to their roof. Although many homeowners add dormer for purposes of beautifying their houses, there is a functional benefit to adding one. In most cases when a dormer is erected, it adds space to the attic, the bathroom or the room in which the dormer is created.

However, do not be so quick to label this as a win-win situation. Although it may seem to be only beneficial, there is one paramount and in many cases restrictive factor to consider the cost. To put it bare, installation of dormers cost a lot. This is an investment that you need to plan well ahead before you actually engage in installing dormers.

Cost Factors While Installing Dormers

Planning to install dormers warrants a total understanding of the cost factors involved. Herein are some of the factors that determine the dormers cost during the installation process.

The Stability Of The Roof

Since the installation of a dormer adds some additional weight to the roof, the roof should be inherently stable. If this is not the case, further strengthening will have to be conducted. As such, the cost an additional cost will be incurred in the process in terms of materials.

The Cost Of Material

Installing dormer requires materials that cost money. Materials that are needed include windows, window panes and roofing materials just to mention a few of them. All these add to the final cost.

The Design And Size Of Dormer Window

The size and design of the window also determine the overall cost of installing a dormer. The larger the size, the more costly it will be to install a dormer. With regards to the design, there are several designs that one can choose from. This includes an eyelid dormer, a flat roof dormer, a hip roof dormer, a gable roof dormer, a link dormer a gable wall dormer or shed dormer. For designs that require extensive re-modelling, the cost will be higher. Over at BDC Long Island roofing they gave a few tips on the importance of a quality roof installation on your dormer and home.

The Cost Of Interior Finishing

This includes the cost of drywall, flooring, carpeting, painting the wall and any other necessary finish.

Labor

Also, if you do not intend to do it yourself, you have to factor in the cost of labor. Labor costs can take the job up to several thousands of dollars, depending on the size dormer window, the steepness of the roof and stability of the roof structure.

In some cases, the insurance premium tends to go up due to the added floor space, though slightly. Since this is a huge investment, make a point of ensuring that you get as much additional floor space as possible, so as to recuperate some of the money when you sell the house.

If you are planning on adding dormers to your home please don’t hesitate to call (631) 620-3435 for a Free Estimate 

Visit http://www.cslongisland.com/contractors/dormers.html for more information on Dormers!

C&S Long Island Contractors Dormers Specialist
91 Rome St Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 620-3435

Types Of Dormers

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Five Common Types Of Dormers

types-of-dormers

Dormers are windows or other small roofed structures that protrude from a sloped roof. They are typically used to add extra head room or light to sloped attic spaces or loft conversions. There are five main types of dormers including the following:

Gabled Dormers

Gabled dormers are the most common type of dormer. They have peaked roofs and typically are just large enough to hold a window. There may be several gabled dormers positioned along the length of the roof, depending on the architecture of the home. The sloped roof of these dormers not only allows them to add a lot of head room to the interior of the space, but also helps direct water away from the window.

Shed Dormers

Shed dormers are the simplest style of dormer. They have a relatively flat roof with a single plane that slopes gently away from the larger structure. Although this style of dormer can be used to add a single window, they are also sometimes used to add large additions to the attic of a home. In fact, sometimes shed dormers extend the entire length of the home, acting more like a second story than a dormer. They are commonly seen in Colonial Revival and Arts & Crafts architecture.

Hipped Dormers

Hipped dormers are similar to gabled dormers in that they have a peaked roof. The main difference, however, is that they have a third plane on the roof that starts at the front of the dormer and slopes back toward the house. This type of dormer is common in Prairie, Craftsman and French Eclectic style architecture. They are also often seen on American Four-Square houses.

Eyebrow Dormers

These unique dormers feature an arched top that gracefully rises up out of the slope of the roof. They are typically relatively flat and don’t do much to add head room. Instead, they are often used to add architectural detail or to add windows to bring additional light into the space. Their curved top makes them an interesting addition to the architecture of the home since most homes typically feature sharp angles rather than gentle curves. This makes them an excellent choice for adding unique charm and character to a home.

Segmental Dormers

Like eyebrow dormers, segmental dormers have arched roofs. However, the arch is generally much more subtle. Additionally, segmental dormers protrude further from the roof and typically have flat walls on two of the sides that lead up to the roof. The front of the dormer typically contains a window that has an arched top that matches the curve of the top of the dormer.

These are the five main types of dormers. When deciding which type to use on your home, you need to consider both the architectural style of your home as well as how you want to use the space. If you just need to add a little bit of light, an eyebrow dormer might be a good choice. Alternatively, if you want to dramatically expand your space, a full-length shed dormer would be a better option.

Check out our Dormers Long Island Video

C&S Long Island Contractors Dormers Specialist
91 Rome St Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 620-3435