Framing Shed Roof Dormer

Usually a dormer is made for extra light into a house.

Framing shed roof dormer.

Building a 20 ft wide shed dormer doesn t take much more effort than building a 4 ft wide version. A shed dormer should not overwhelm the primary roof. A dormer can soften the impact of a steeply pitched roof. Again while not especially interesting it does reduce construction cost while increasing though not maximizing as does a true flat roof dormer the space beneath.

Framing a dormer with shed roof is a difficult process but if you take your steps correctly you will be able to handle the job effectively. If you re a little unsure of your rough framing or roofing skills hire a carpenter to help with this phase of the roof dormer project. The end wall of a shed dormer carries the load rather than the sidewalls. The tall face of a doghouse dormer on the other hand would have accentuated the house s height.

The roofing material will need to be stripped back for this step. Cut the shed dormers opening with a reciprocating saw. Framing a shed dormer is a simpler process than building a gable dormer. Wide about 9 ft.

Framing the dormer with the dormer roof raised and supported we cut away the part of the original roof that was still in place leaving the exposed ends of the floor joists. After the walls ridge and common rafters are set i overlay the valley framing on top of the main roof sheathing to save from cutting a true valley. It has no peak no hip and it isn t rounded. In this case stepping the dormer back from the front of the house helps to soften the roof pitch.

Because they can be much wider than gable dormers shed dormers can provide more headroom and therefore more usable space. From the floor to the peak and set back from the front wall of the house about 2 ft. Framing a dormer refers to the first and most important step in constructing an upper level addition to your home. To correct a slight dip in the floor we established a benchmark height with a laser level and nailed 2x6 squash blocks to the sides of the existing floor joists.

On the roof using the pilot holes drilled in step 1 snap the lines that will denote the opening in the roof for the dormer. Mansard roofs are similar to hip roofs except that each side has two parts. Fit into a steeply pitched mansard roof this shed dormer sits almost flush with the surrounding slates. A shed roof differs from a flat roof dormer only in that the roof is sloped.

They also give you more bang for the buck. If you feel that your house has little natural light you could think about creating a dormer with shed roof which will certainly help. Shed dormers are an efficient way to gain more space. Whether you re expanding a cramped attic into a bedroom office or playroom if you have any carpentry experience you can accomplish this home renovation goal yourself.

The gable dormers we built are 6 ft.