Anybody ever REMOVE a dormer from a roof?

[aunsafe2015]

Random question here.

I might buy a pretty standard looking colonial, built in early 2000s, that has an eyebrow dormer in the center of the roof. Extremely similar to this: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/32/2c/29/...17c95--house-siding-options-window-styles.jpg.

The house has a third-floor finished attic, but the eyebrow dormer provides zero extra space up there. You can crawl through a little 3-foot tall door and back into the unfinished area under the eyebrow dormer, but given that the rest of the attic is already finished, at this point it would be an impractical waste to re-do the attic just to get a few extra square feet under the eyebrow dormer.

Anyways, I prefer a simple roof, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. Also, I want to put solar panels on my roof at some point down the road, and the house faces south, so the eyebrow dormer reduces area available for solar panels by a pretty decent amount.

Question is this: Would it be insane to just get rid of the eyebrow dormer at some point in the future (presumably at the same time that I replace the existing roof)? If not, any thoughts as to how simple a job it would be? I would wait and do it whenever the roof needs to be replaced, so I think it would basically be removing the old shingles, get rid of the dormer framing and modify the rafters/roof decking as necessary, and then put the new roof on.

Modification would not reduce usable square footage of the house in any way. Would effectively be a purely aesthetic modification (and would increase the amount of square footage available for solar panels).

Just curious if anybody here has done anything similar, or think it would be a crazy thing to do either from a cost or a home-value perspective.

 

[T_R]

Should be an easy enough job. Tear off the roof and sheathing, remove the dormer framing. Frame where the dormer was like the rest of the roof is. Sheath and roof.

That's assuming conventional framing. Something from the 2000's could have trusses and that could get interesting.

 

[yeldogt]

IMO -- those fake "whatever's" are ugly ... would have have been two or three true dormers if a flat front federal. True high roof colonials used the upper level for "women's work" .. so the dormers had a or they had side windows.

Not that solar is going to add anything .. no place on the ground for the solar?

 

[rsanter]

Depending on the structure of the roof it could be very easy or a little tough.
Odds are not too bad.
Personally I like it better with, but it is your house.
I would only do it with the redo of the roof, otherwise it doesn’t make sense.
Also, if you are going to a simpler style roof I would also look at going to a metal roof.
It would fit the style of your house and it would last a lifetime. Also the solar can be installed using clamps onto a standing seam roof, very easy

Bob

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I think the dormer looks nice and adds character to the home. We cannot have attics in Florida because it would be impossible to cool. I wouldn't risk reducing the value by taking away curb appeal. Besides you got some extra space for storage.

 

[aunsafe2015]

Thanks for the input. If I did it, I would definitely do a metal roof so that solar panels could be attached with no roof penetration.

And yeah, the big question is whether it would hurt home value. If I'll be in the home a long time I guess I shouldn't care that much and just do what I like.

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[The Tool Tyrant]

Easy-pezzy. Doesn't matter real (open to attic) or fake ( built on top of continuous lower roof) no problem...kind'a like filling in an existing window opening...except on a slope.

 

[firebirdparts]

I agree. very easy. Build something to replace it that makes sense.

 

[ard]

FWIW- put your solar panels on a ground mount if you have the space. Almost always better exposure; easier to install/service/replace; less chance of roof penetration damage/leaks.

 

[Lunker]

Very easy

 

[Hawk]

Built in the 2000's it is probably just scabbed on to the frame. Have it torn off and replaced with underlayment when you re-roof. Get the complete estimate from your roofer. If the roofer says he cannot do it then find a better roofer. My roofer repaired a crappy reframe from a previous homeowner. Four new rafters and new ply, only cost an extra 150. and he is a licensed contractor. Fully insured and usually works on far far more expensive houses than ours.

 

[aunsafe2015]

Thanks again for all the feedback!

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[rburke65]

Easy to remove and home value....in who's opinion? A potential buyer might say ..I wish it had a dormer!" And the next potential buyer will say..." Thank God it don't have a cheap *** dormer on the roof!". Do what the hell ya want to do....don't worry about the next guy.