A dormer is a framed opening on a roof that may allow for more daylight and space in the attic of a house.

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Dormers may vary in shape and size, sometimes covering a large part of a roof structure. Existing dormers on a house will have been planned and accommodated into the roof frame.

Characteristics of dormers:

• Dormers protrude from the main roof of a house, with small walls, windows and a connecting roof structure.
• May line up with the front face of a house or sit higher up on the roof plane.
• Because of the limited space and clusters of framing material, dormers are difficult to insulate and air seal, and may pose a challenge for upgrading a home's energy performance.
  
• Types of dormer include gables, shed-type, eyebrows and arched.
• A renovation to add a dormer to an existing roof must consider the roof structure (rafters or trusses) and the capacity for carrying an additional load. Engineering may be required!
• The roof finish must integrate with the dormer roof finish and will include flashing for proper drainage. Caution: older buildings may use lead or copper coated lead for flashing materials!