Dormer Positioning Question... different pitch + height on roof?

[woodbutcher80]

hey everyone. a couple quick questions...

im having my new garage being done. its 36x48 with an 8/12 pitch roof.

i am having 2 false dormers installed later today. i plan on putting them 17'OC from the 50' roof's edges, and 16'OC from eachother.

i thought it would be a good idea to make the dormers:

- 6' wide
- 12/12 pitch instead of 8/12 like the main roof to look unique
- where do i put them on the roof, height wise? i was thinking center them vertically on the roof, but the builder is here suggesting have the dormer peak be only a couple feet lower than the main roof peak.


let me know your thoughts. thanks!

 

[mike93lx]

Man, same day design changes? Builder must love that

 

[woodbutcher80]

no changes, just reassurance of ideas....

i forgot were doing 3x4 windows, so were making the dormers 4' wide not 6' wide.
we will probably just center them height-wise on the roof (peak to peak and dormer base to gutter the same length).

 

[mike93lx]

I think i would have the dormer peaks below the ridge. If they are lined up, they'll look taller when you aren't far away from the building.

Are there doors to line them up with (so it is symetrical/balanced)?

 

[shoot summ]

I think i would have the dormer peaks belove the ridge. If they are lined up, they'll look taller when you aren't far away from the building.

Are there doors to line them up with (so it is symetrical/balanced)?

That's interesting, most dormers I see don't go above the ridge line, but typically a bit below it.

 

[woodbutcher80]

no doors to line up. just windows on the gable ends... but im not worried about them lining up.
the peak of the dormer roof will definitely be 2'+ lower than the ridge peak.
im leaning towards the center of the dormer being centered with the roof vertically (north/south)

 

[TRWham]

Man, same day design changes? Builder must love that

We framed the dormers on a current project 3 times. Once to original plan, once to revised sketch from architect, and once more after the client decided they wanted them taller.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Granted there's no "real" rule of thumb; but, I would consider this-

If a functional dormer was a means of ventilation, daylight, and egress to a living area then I would consider the ceiling joists as a finished floor and the sill of the window in the dormer would be approximately 36-42" above that "finished floor". Putting them lower or higher just make them look that much more "fake".

And yes, I certainly wouldn't want the ridge of the dormer to meet the ridge of the main roof. Intersecting ridges are a pain in the *** to flash/cap/ and not leak.

 

[Homerr]

If you want to see if you did okay:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0751H8T9Z/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[woodbutcher80]

morning guys. i ended up positioning the dormers in the spot where they would be if they were REAL dormers, which ended up about in the center of the roof. thanks for the help.

 

[yeldogt]

Historically multiple single dormers were installed on steep slope roofs -- as the slope drops the dormer has to get bigger to look correct ... like on a craftsman .. and now fewer or only one. They typically were lower in height vs the main ceiling.

It's why some the early mc mansions look sort of weird --

 

[woodbutcher80]

they came out perfect. a bit fancy for a 'garage', but look great.

 

[Homerr]

Looks great, nice proportion.

 

[woodbutcher80]

Thanks. for those of you that want
to know Dimensions, the window is 3 x 4 and the Dormer is 52 inch wide 8/12 pitch.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Looks good. We have dormers on our house, and when deciding on scale we looked at a lot of houses and pictures. It is very possible to really mess up proportion and location on them so you did well in taking time to figure it out.

 

[woodbutcher80]

Here is another view. They are 16ft oc apart,on a 50ft roof

 

[Chris705]

Can you possibly post a photo the entire garage so we get the entire proportioning view? I think you made the best decision for your situation.

Edit...looks like you just posted....Thanks!

 

[woodbutcher80]

sure. These Dormers face the woods so I will try to get a wide-angle shot of the eave.

 

[woodbutcher80]

some pics. not done with some trim work, gutters, insulation, stairs, etc.

 

[JohnKal]

Sweet!