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Space is limited in urban areas, which is a big reason skyscraper apartment buildings are prominent features. But the lack of personal residences isn’t the only issue in metropolitan areas —inner city schools also face spatial challenges. Architects Atelier FCJZ found innovative ways to create more indoor and outdoor space for children in Jing Long Elementary and Middle School.

Building Up Instead of Building Out

The Jing Long Elementary School in Shenzhen, China, boasts nearly 320,000 square feet spread across six stories. 

The school has 36 classes, and the architects were challenged to make space for all the necessary rooms. Since expanding the building horizontally wasn’t an option, they worked with vertical space, similar to the surrounding buildings.

Making the Outdoors Accessible From All Six Stories

The children needed outdoor access, but making it to the bottom floor and back to class in their ten-minute breaks wasn’t practical. So, the architects incorporated outdoor, open-air spaces at every level.

At the center of each story is an open space roofed by its upper floor. The area lacks enclosed walls and is large enough for many activities. Teachers can hold classes in each of these spaces, which can also be playgrounds, exercise areas, or discussion areas.

Each enclosure has wire mesh fence, with vines climbing up it for a touch of greenery.

The bottom of the building features two landscaped sections and a track for the kids to exercise and play.

Photographs: Yu Bai

The post The Design of this Chinese Elementary School is a Total Game Changer for Students appeared first on Homedit.

This California home, designed by Fougeron Architects, takes theindoor/outdoor connection to a new level. Suspended on two hills, the 2,500-square-foot home is directly over a creek with a waterfall on its rear side. The homeowners can enjoy the view from their terrace each morning.

A Two Story Home Right on the California Hills

Rather than anchoring the home on the creek, the architects followed distinct plans following California law, using the hillside to situate the house. The home doesn’t interfere with the creek but sits right over it.

The three-story exterior utilizes floor-to-ceiling glass so that views of the water are available from all areas of the house.

The house featured two floors and utilized metal posts suspended in the creek before its remodel. The architects brought the house to code and added a third story at a ninety-degree angle to the top.

A Super Modern Interior

While the house is designed around nature, the interior is minimal and modern. Sleek gray floors and black accents run through the home.

The interior features little decoration. Instead, the designers chose modern furniture with clean lines and stuck to a neutral color palette.

The kitchen has a mixture of white and black cabinets with a double oven and built-in stovetop.

The primary bedroom is also simple, with a modern bed frame and white bedding. It has a connecting bathroom and opens up to a private terrace.

Architects: Fougeron Architecture

Photographs: Joe Fletcher

The post Rare California Home Suspended Over a Creek  appeared first on Homedit.

If you grew up a fan of the hit cartoon The Jetsons, this home will make you nostalgic. Located in Long Island and designed by architect firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, this 11,450 square foot home oozes futuristic appeal.

A Look at the Unique Exterior

The architects modeled this home off of East Hampton’s rolling landscape. The aerospace design features a geometric shape and two stories of living space. 

The architects utilized a lightweight blend of fiberglass and foam rather than traditional concrete or steel framing for the roof. The expansive roofline dips down in sections to highlight interior features like skylights and fireplaces.

A glazed window system wraps around the home, providing beautiful views of the beach and surrounding landscape.

The exterior also features a large patio that mimics the material on the house’s exterior. A set of stairs leads to a large, geometric inground pool.

An Open and Contemporary Interior

The first floor of this home is largely open concept with built-in furniture and artificial dunes emphasizing separation of space. There are also first-floor bedrooms tucked away in the dunes.

The second floor hosts the primary suite, which opens to a rooftop deck and has beautiful beach views. All bedrooms provide private, cozy spaces and feature milled grain end mesquite on the walls, floors, and ceilings.

While this house undoubtedly cost a small fortune, its unique and futuristic appeal is perfect for mid-century modern lovers.

The photography is by Iwan Baan.

Architecture: Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

The post This East Hampton Home Looks Like it Belongs in an Episode of “The Jetsons” appeared first on Homedit.

If you crave the freedom to move around and enjoy nature, this mobile home built by IAAC Architects is worth a look. Designed with sustainability in mind, it was part of a Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities (MAEBB) project and features zero-kilometer wood and basic household comforts for two.

A Look at the Design

The central area of the mobile home has a large open space enclosed by glass doors. When the glass doors are left open, this area is exposed to the elements and can be used as an entertainment area, living room, bedroom, mobile concert venue, or library. 

Two enclosed rooms flank the central space. These rooms contain a small kitchen with a sink, single burner stove, countertop, and refrigerator. The bathroom houses a shower and a waterless composting toilet.

The toolbox on the opposite side stores space-saving foldable furniture. The furniture can turn the central area into a multitude of different uses. 

Ultimate Sustainability and Energy Efficiency 

Not only is this mobile home built with sustainable materials, but the designers also equipped it with energy-efficient upgrades. The shower water, for example, drains to a greywater tank and is then treated by a three-stage filtering system and a UV filter, then recycled. Occupants can choose to run freshwater or recycled water depending on their needs. We love this feature, as recycling water is a noble cause but not suitable for all applications.

Three solar panels on the roof provide this unit with all its energy needs. The panels connect to a MultiPlus inverter and a backup battery. 

When going on remote camping trips, the energy-efficient upgrades mean you don’t have to find a campground to hook up—you’ll always have electricity and basic appliances.

Photographs:Adrià Goula

The post Adventure Seekers: Check out this Tiny Home You Can Pull with Your Truck appeared first on Homedit.

Located in South Hero, Vermont, this 12-acre property is anything but your typical homestead. Architect Office Birdseye designed this house with the surrounding landscape in mind. The 5,430 square-foot home features three expanding rectangular sections joined by a long hall and peaked gable roofs.

Exterior Materials — A Contemporary Twist on Country

Rather than standard white siding, the home’s architects chose black stained vertical cedar siding for a modern look that offers rustic charm. This sprawling home is great for those who want to live on a rural property without stepping back into an 1800s farmhouse.

The metal standing seam roofs complement the simple, modern look and add a nice visual detail to the exterior design.

A Look at the Interior

The interior follows suit with sleek finishes and minimal decor. Light-toned hardwood floors run throughout the building, and wooden plank ceilings and beams draw the eye upward.

Other finishes, like the kitchen cabinets, fireplace, and furniture, are purely modern, with no trace of the typical rustic homestead finishes. We appreciate that this home is designed to the owner’s taste rather than the expected American farmhouse scheme.

Interior Design Firm Brooke Michelsen Design incorporated some modern farmhouse finishes, though, like painted vertical shiplap and built-in bunk beds in one of the guest rooms.

Outside is a Homestead Retreat

If you’re wondering if the outside matches up to the design of the house, it does. The 12.6-acre property is located near a lake with a clear path to the water. It also sports a patio, auto court, and garage.

The property sits on a meadow, so there’s plenty of space for gardens, fruit trees, and farm animals if desired. There’s also a space picked out for a future guest cabin.

Photographs:Ivar Bastress Photography, Erica Allen Studio.

Architects: Birdseye.

The post This Modern Homestead is Perfect for Escaping the City without Giving Up Comfort appeared first on Homedit.

Enhancing your home’s exterior is more than just adding curb appeal; these are investments that can increase your home’s aesthetic and monetary value. Making your home’s exterior look more expensive requires strategic planning and budgeting to create an overall impression of luxury and sophistication.

Whether you want to impress guests, potential homebuyers, or satisfy your own aesthetic desires, making your home’s exterior look more expensive provides an opportunity for both creative expression and financial growth.

Making Your Home’s Exterior Look More Expensive

There are numerous ways to make the exterior of your home look more luxurious. Some are less expensive than others, but they will all improve the appearance of your home.

Complete a Thorough Cleaning

One of the best and least expensive ways to improve the appearance of your home’s exterior is to complete a deep and thorough cleaning. Deep cleaning the exterior of your home primarily involves pressure washing. A pressure washer will remove dirt, grime, mold, and other stains on the surface of brick, stone, and siding.

Cleaning the windows, gutters, roof, decks, patios, and porches is the next step. Attention to exterior details like windows makes a huge difference in the look and atmosphere of the house. Some of these items, like the roof and gutters, may require professional expertise, which will increase the cost of the process. Yard and landscape cleaning and maintenance are also part of exterior cleaning.

Paint Your Front Door

A fresh coat of paint can instantly update a tired and outdated front door. This is a simple DIY project that you can complete over the weekend. Begin by selecting a color for the front door. Classic colors such as black, red, blue, and green can give your home a timeless and sophisticated appearance. Or consider trendy choices like sage or yellow to give instant curb appeal.

Before you begin painting, clean and sand the surface to remove any imperfections. Tape or remove hardware, then apply primer. Use a satin or semi-gloss sheen to enhance the richness of the door. Allow it to completely dry before reattaching the hardware and other accessories.

Add Lighting

Thoughtfully placed light fixtures help to increase a home’s aesthetics by making it more inviting and highlighting exterior architectural features. Choose light fixtures that flank or surround your front door with special care, as these are the most visible. Strategic spot lighting can highlight architectural features such as columns, arches, windows, and facades and landscape details like trees and flower beds, giving your home more depth and dimension. Illuminate pathways, walkways, and driveways with stake lights or recessed lighting to improve safety and navigation.

Choose lights made of high-quality materials like brass, copper, steel, or wrought iron that complement your home’s exterior colors. Multiple options for smart lights exist that utilize energy-efficient technology and smart control mechanisms.

Pay Attention to Your Entry

Your entry is the most vital focal point of your home. To improve the appearance of your home, make your front door and entry space look well-kept and cohesive. In addition to cleaning and painting your front door, you can add color and texture to your entryway by placing plants in attractive containers or planting them near your entrance. You can make your entrance look more inviting with seating and signage. Upgrading visible hardware such as door knobs, kick plates, and locks, as well as adding distinctive house numbers, are small changes that can improve the look of your home.

Decorate With Window Boxes

For certain types of homes, window boxes are an excellent way to bring color, depth, and texture to a home’s exterior. Carefully crafted window boxes add architectural interest and break up a flat exterior. This is a particularly good strategy if your home lacks distinctive features. They provide a canvas for showcasing various types of flowers and plants that you can rotate with the changing seasons.

Window boxes are relatively easy to install and maintain, and they are available in a variety of sizes and designs to work with a variety of home styles. Choose durable materials for your window boxes, such as cedar, fiberglass, metal, or PVC, that can withstand the elements while requiring little maintenance.

Incorporate Outdoor Seating

Adding outdoor seating is an excellent way to elevate the look and feel of your home’s exterior while creating inviting spaces for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment of nature. Whether you have a spacious backyard, a cozy patio, or a small balcony, outdoor seating can bring a new dimension to the enjoyment of your home.

Your outdoor seating arrangement does not have to be large to be enjoyable. Even one or two elements can add benefits to your home. Outdoor seating increases the living and dining area for outdoor relaxation, al fresco meals, and your first morning coffee. While outdoor seating is the most usable during certain months, you can extend the season you use it by incorporating features like heaters, fire pits, and awnings.

Update the Garage Door

Garage doors are some of the most visible elements on the outside of a home, and certain garage door styles will date a house more quickly than other exterior details. If you have the budget to add more modern garage doors, this can instantly refresh the style of your home. Choose doors with simple, clean lines that complement your exterior design. Carriage-style doors, sectional doors with windows, and custom-designed doors with specific window and door configurations for your home are all popular garage door types.

For a more cost-effective update, merely cleaning, painting, and adding new hardware to your garage door will benefit your home’s exterior.

Upgrade Your Mailbox

Investing in a high-quality mailbox design can improve the overall appearance because it is frequently the first thing guests see when they arrive at your property. Select a mailbox style, such as post-mounted, wall-mounted, pedestal, or decorative mailboxes, that complements the architectural style of your house. Mailboxes include a variety of features, such as spacious compartments for small packages, secure locking doors, and outgoing mail indicators, which improve functionality and convenience.

Common mailbox materials include stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, cast aluminum, and powder-coated steel. They differ in weight and strength; the more expensive, heavier, and more resilient materials can withstand weathering and corrosion better than lightweight materials.

Install House Numbers

Accessorizing your exterior with high-quality and stylish house numbers is a small but impactful choice that demonstrates your attention to the details of your home. They also provide the opportunity to add personality, style, and sophistication to your exterior. To enhance the appearance of your home, select high-quality numbers or plate material such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or cast iron. These are durable, weather-resistant, and have a timeless appeal. Look for a number or plate style that reflects a specific architectural aesthetic or personal preference, such as traditional, rustic, eclectic, or modern.

Place the numbers in a prominent location so that they are visible from the street. Mount them against a solid background, such as a column, eave, front door, or siding face. Experiment with the placement to ensure that you have selected the best location for your home. To improve safety and visibility, illuminate the numbers or plate with a spotlight.

The post 9 Budget Ideas for Making the Exterior of Your Home Look More Expensive appeared first on Homedit.

A roofing square is a term used by contractors, roofing manufacturers, and shingle suppliers to describe a specific amount of roofing materials or the size of a roof. A roofing square is a 10×10 section of the roof, which equals 100 square feet.

When you need to order roofing material (or when your contractor does this for you), the supplier must know the number of roofing squares to provide adequate material. For example, a roof with 1,500 square feet of surface will require 15 squares of material.

How to Determine Roofing Squares (Or Roof Square Footage)

While you probably know the square footage of your home, it doesn’t translate to the square footage of your roof. Depending on your roof’s design, slope, and dormers, the roof will have more square footage than the home’s first floor. Here’s how to figure it out.

Step 1: Break Your Roof Down Into Sections

Unless your roof is a perfect square with four equal sizes, you must break it down into easy-to-measure sections. Before getting on the roof, make sure you have safety harnesses and take all necessary safety precautions. You’ll also need a partner to help you measure.

Break your roof down into square or rectangular sections, and measure the length and width of each section in feet. Make sure to measure any dormers, as well. 

Step 2: Multiply the length by Width to Determine the Square Footage of Each Section

Now that you have the measurements for each section multiply the length by the width and write it down. Once you have all individual square footage written down, add them together. The result is your total roof’s square footage.

Step 3: Divide the Square Footage by 100 To Determine Number of Roof Squares

Divide the total square footage by 100 to determine the number of roof squares you need. Always round your measurements up to ensure you have enough material for the job.

How to Estimate Roof Square Footage from the Ground

A roofing contractor can give you the best and most accurate roof measurement. However, if you want a basic idea of your roof’s square footage or the number of roofing squares you need, you can use this equation for an estimate.

(Length X Width ft.) Roof’s Pitch Factor

Step 1: Measure the length x Width of Your Home

Measure the length and width of your home in feet and multiply those numbers by one another.

Step 2: Measure Square Footage by the Roof’s Pitch

The higher the roof pitch, the more materials needed. Multiply the figure from the first step by your roof’s estimated pitch for total square footage.

Roof pitch factor based on slope:

• Low-sloped roofs (like a hip roof): 1.4
• Medium sloped roofs: 1.6
• High-pitched or complex roofs: 1.8

For example, if your home measured 60 feet long and 30 feet wide, you’d multiply 60 x 30 for a 1,800 square-foot footprint. If you have a high-pitched gable roof with dormers, you’d use the 1.8 roof pitch factor.

1,800 x 1.8 = 3,240 square feet

Step 3: Divide by 100 for Roofing Squares

To determine the roofing squares, divide the total square footage by 100. In our example, a roof with 3,240 square feet of surface equals 32.4 roofing squares.

What are the Average Material Costs per Roofing Square?

The average cost for a roofing square depends on the material and your location. Expect to pay the following:

• 3-tab asphalt shingles: $80-$130
• Dimensional asphalt shingles: $100 – $250
• Metal roofing: $100-$800
• Cedar shake: $300-$700

These averages are for material only and don’t include installation. Installation costs will vary depending on the slope of your roof, condition, and locality.

How Many Bundles of Shingles Are in One Square?

There are three bundles of asphalt shingles in one square. Each bundle contains enough shingles to cover a 32.8-square-foot section of the roof.

The post What is a Roofing Square? appeared first on Homedit.

The craftsman home style emerged as an architectural style in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The craftsman home style, also known as American craftsman style, began as a reaction to the ornate and mass-produced industrially driven architecture of the Victorian age.

The craftsman style left its imprint all around the United States, but it is particularly prominent in cities that were developing around this same time; West Coast cities like Los Angeles and Seattle, and Midwest cities like Chicago, are well-known for their varied craftsman-style homes.

With their distinctive design and integration with nature, craftsman homes have remained popular in the American landscape since their early inception.

The craftsman home style emerged as part of a larger architectural and artistic renaissance called the Arts and Crafts movement that began in England. This movement, led by thinkers and artists like John Ruskin and William Morris, sought to emphasize craftsmanship over the mass-produced style that was prominent during the Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century.

The term “craftsman” is most commonly associated with the American furniture designer Gustav Stickley. He popularized the concepts of handcrafted, functional design in his magazine, “The Craftsman.” Craftsman-style homes gained popularity in newly developing cities in the Midwest and West Coast, inspiring new movements such as the Bungalow, Prairie School, and Mission Revival styles.

The craftsman’s style’s simplicity and practicality had a broad appeal, so it spread widely across cities all over the United States and is still popular today. Contemporary home designs often incorporate architectural elements that are reminiscent of craftsman style, even though many of them are not strictly craftsman-style. This demonstrates its long-lasting influence on contemporary architecture and housing styles.

Types of Craftsman Homes

Like all beloved architectural styles, the craftsman home style has been modified and blended with other styles. There are many different types of historic and modern craftsman styles, each with their own style and variations.

California Craftsman

The California craftsman style is a regional variation of the broader craftsman style that developed all over the United States. These homes feature large open floor plans, low-pitched roofs, and an emphasis on a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. This emphasis on indoor-outdoor spaces may lead to style features like large windows, glass doors, large, spacious porches, and integration within the landscape.

Chicago Bungalow

The Chicago bungalow is another regional craftsman variation that is prominent in midwestern cities like Chicago. This style often features brick in their construction, which sets them apart from craftsman homes that are predominantly wood or stucco.

Most Chicago bungalows are one full story with a second half story that is expanded through the use of dormer windows. They also feature an enclosed front porch, which expands the living space.

Mission Revival Craftsman

Mission revival craftsman buildings combine the traditional craftsman features with Spanish mission architecture that had been built before the urbanization of the West and Southwest of the United States.

This architecture featured wood beams, built-in furniture, and an earth-toned color palette that was typical of standard craftsman, but it also included smooth stucco walls, tile roofs, arched openings, and decorative tilework that we associate with Spanish architecture.

Prairie School Craftsman

Some architects of the early to mid-20th century drew inspiration from the midwestern landscape and combined these ideas with craftsman design. This group, most notably Frank Lloyd Wright, developed the Prairie School.

Their buildings and homes have a strong horizontal emphasis and feature low profiles that blend with the surrounding landscape. This necessitates low-pitched roofs with flat or hipped roofs that slope outward with broad, overhanging eaves. These buildings feature a prominent use of natural materials, which also allow them to blend seamlessly with the exterior environment.

Foursquare Craftsman

Foursquare craftsman homes are a combination of American foursquare and craftsman-style architecture. This style, also known as the Prairie Box, emerged in the early part of the 20th century. It is characterized by its box-like shape and simple, symmetrical layout.

Exterior craftsman details include exposed rafters, decorative brackets, and other detailed woodwork around the eaves and porch. Many four-square craftsman homes feature a front-facing hipped gable with a dormer window to add interest to the roofline.

Gamble House Style

The Gamble House is a home located in Pasadena, California, designed by brothers Charles and Henry Greene. This home is noted for its careful craftsmanship, attention to detail, and Japanese and craftsman-style influences.

The design of this home has led to its own sub-genre of craftsman design. Homes with this style influence feature wood as the predominant material, intricate wood carving and joinery, Japanese-style features like asymmetry and exposed joinery, stained glass windows, and a strong integration with nature.

Transitional Craftsman

Transitional craftsman structures combine many of the hallmarks of craftsman design with other architectural styles to create a unique and eclectic look. Transitional craftsman homes might feature the most notable craftsman elements, including exposed rafters, overhanging eaves, and flared columns in their designs, but with a modern twist. Transitional craftsman homes will often feature a wider color palette, including bright and vibrant hues, and might incorporate more open floor plans that are suited to modern living.

Craftsman Bungalow

The modest size and single-story construction characterize the craftsman bungalow style. These homes also feature low-pitched roofs and wide eaves. Craftsman bungalows, unlike some other types of craftsman homes, have an open floor plan that integrates the living spaces. Because of their modest size and thoughtful design, these homes are prominent in both urban and suburban settings.

Airplane Bungalow

An airplane bungalow is a type of craftsman home that became popular in the 1920s in the United States. These homes feature a characteristic roof shape that resembles the wings of an airplane. This roof style is wide and has low-pitched, sloping gables. Airplane bungalows frequently have a small second-story or dormer window that resembles the cockpit of an airplane, with prominent windows.

Mountain Craftsman

Mountain craftsman buildings combine rustic style with craftsman architectural elements. These structures make extensive use of rustic natural materials such as stones and logs on the outside and inside.

They frequently have steeply pitched roofs to help shed snow and moisture, which is common in mountainous areas. To take advantage of the natural views, modern mountain craftsman home designs feature large glass windows and wrap-around porches. When designing these homes, architects pay close attention to the setting to ensure that the home blends seamlessly with the natural environment.

Craftsman Home Exterior Characteristics

The exterior design of craftsman homes reflects simplicity, straight lines, and a focus on natural materials.

Low-Pitched Gabled Roof

Craftsman-style homes typically have low-pitched gabled roofs with wide overhanging eaves. Often, the underside of the roofs and eaves feature exposed rafters or decorative brackets, which add to the visual appeal and textural interest of the design.

Dormer Windows

Many craftsman homes feature dormer windows that break the continuous roof line. These dormers often feature a shed or gabled roof. The dormers allow more usable space and light in the interior roof space.

Use of Natural Materials

The exterior of craftsman homes uses a wide range of natural materials, such as wood, stone, and brick, to emphasize their connection with nature. Exterior walls are clad in elements like wood shingles, clapboard siding, and stucco and might feature supports of stone or brick.

Large Front Porch

Often, craftsman homes feature welcoming front porches that feature wide expanses supported by substantial square or tapered columns. These porches serve as an outdoor living space that also enhances the home’s connection with nature.

Tapered Columns and Pedestals

Square or tapered columns support the porch roofs on craftsman homes. Substantial pedestals of stone or brick support these columns. Columns typically feature some simple detailing, such as fluting or decorative insets.

Artisan Details

Even though craftsman homes are simple and straight-forward, many feature artisan details that signify their unique and careful craftsmanship. This can include handcrafted woodwork, decorative brackets, and unique millwork on walls or around doors and windows.

Multi-Pane Windows

Most windows in historic craftsman homes feature multiple panes, typically arranged in distinctive patterns. The use of leaded and stained glass was popular for craftsman homes, which gives these homes a unique character.

Built-In Features

Both the interior and exterior of craftsman homes may feature built-in elements such as benches, cabinetry, or shelves. These are incorporated with decorative woodwork and enhance the functionality and style of the home.

Earth-Toned Color Palette

The color palette of historic craftsman homes tended toward earthy and natural hues like browns, greens, and warm neutrals. These colors complement the natural materials of the home’s construction and blend with the natural environment.

The post Craftsman Home Style: History and Design appeared first on Homedit.

There are several types of dormers, each with its own set of characteristics that contribute to the overall structure’s aesthetics. Dormers are structural elements that break up the surface of the main roofline, allowing light and space to enter the interior space beneath the roof and making it more functional.

The diversity of dormers demonstrates the versatility and creativity of architectural design, ranging from shed dormers with a modern and clean appearance to high gabled dormers with an elevated style. Exploring the various types of dormers can help anyone considering a building design or simply understand the evolution of architectural styles.

Types of Dormers

Each type of dormer has a distinct appearance and functional capabilities. Here are all of the most common dormers and their design advantages.

Shed Dormer

A shed dormer is characterized by a single sloping roof that slopes in one direction away from the main roof. This type of dormer has several stylistic and functional advantages, so it is among the most popular dormer types.

Shed dormers have a simple style that works well with a variety of building styles. They present a clean and unaffected look. Because they have a straight roof, they expand the area inside more effectively and allow in ample extra light. Shed dormers are among the most cost effective to build compared to other dormers with complex roof lines.

Gable Dormer

A gable dormer features a distinctive triangular shaped roof. This is another popular dormer style because it frequently mimics the shape of the roofline, resulting in cohesion and a traditional appearance.

Gable dormers have a classic and elegant appearance and are suitable for a variety of roof shapes. Though they do not provide as much head room as shed dormers, gable dormers increase sunlight and usable square footage in the roof space. Gable dormers are especially effective at directing water away from windows, reducing the risk of water damage and making them ideal for high moisture and snow-prone environments.

Hip Dormer

A hip dormer is one in which the roof slopes on all sides, resulting in a pyramid-shaped roof top. This type of dormer is well-known for its ability to blend in with the existing room structure. Unlike other dormer styles, which protrude prominently from the roof, hip dormers have a roof shape that blends in with the rest of the roof.

Hip dormers have a classic and traditional appearance, but they are also suitable for modern and contemporary designs. Hip dormers, like other dormers, provide more headroom and light in the roof area. Because of their sloped roof, they are effective at shedding water and snow from a roof.

Arch Dormer

The arch dormer is distinguished by its arched or curved roofline. These dormers stand out from the typical roof shape, so they are frequently used to create a focal point in a building’s architecture. Architects can adapt arch dormers to a variety of designs, making them suitable for both traditional and modern architecture. Arched dormers are especially useful for increasing headroom and sunlight in a roof area.

Eyebrow Dormer

An eyebrow dormer is a type of dormer with a long, continuous, curved roofline that resembles the curvature of an eyelid. Eyebrow dormers are similar to arched dormers but have a longer and often lower curved shape with a pointed edge on either side. This dormer shape adds visual interest to structures while also displaying an elegant and whimsical style.

While an eyebrow dormer adds less space and light than other dormer types, it does improve these benefits in a roof area. These dormers are ideal for low-pitched roofs, where the brow shape blends more gracefully into the design.

Flared Gable Dormer

A flared gable dormer is similar to a triangular gable dormer, but the roofline flares out at the bottom of the gable. This results in a broader roof surface than a standard gable dormer and adds unique architectural flair. This expanded roof area contributes to increased headspace in the interior space under the roof. Architects can customize the flare of these dormers to match the design of the home or structure.

Flat Dormer

A flat dormer is similar to a shed dormer, but it is typically found in contemporary rather than traditional architecture. Flat dormers have a flat roof that extends from a similar flat roof, unlike a shed dormer, which often has a slightly steeper pitch. They frequently include a window that runs the length of the dormer and have few other decorative elements. Flat dormers, like shed dormers, increase headspace in interior roof spaces while also providing ample sunlight.

Inset Dormer

An inset dormer, also known as a recessed dormer, is one that is partially set into the roof rather than fully projecting from it. This dormer style has a lower profile than the others because at least some of the dormer wall is recessed into the roofline. These allow for more roof continuity in the roof shape while still providing more headroom and light in the interior roof space.

Polygonal Dormer

A polygonal dormer is one characterized by its roof, which features multiple surfaces forming a polygonal shape. The most common polygonal dormer shapes are hexagons and otagons, but they also feature other multi-sided configurations. These are unique dormers, so they increase the architectural interest of the buildings they adorn.

Polygonal dormers are versatile, so architects can customize them for specific building styles or to suit a variety of purposes. They allow in ample light because the roof shape accommodates wall space for multiple windows.

Wall Dormer

A wall dormer is one where the face of the dormer shares the same horizontal plane as the surface of the wall below it. This type of dormer will break the main roofline with its roof or the face of the dormer. Wall dormers are typically more understated and have a lower profile than standard dormers. This helps to preserve the architectural flow of the exterior of the home while still expanding the under roof area.

Wall dormers work with roofs of different pitches, so they can be adapted to many roof types. Wall dormers have a classic look, but they are also versatile enough to work with modern and contemporary architecture.

Nantucket Dormer

The Nantucket dormer is a mixed dormer style that reflects New England and Cape Cod architectural influences. This dormer features two or three gable dormers connected with a shed dormer between each. This mixed dormer style has the advantage of adding ample extra space to an upstairs area. Builders can customize this dormer to fit multiple roof sizes and shapes.

Nantucket dormers are popular for their unique architectural appeal and style, which typifies this region. They are often embellished with decorative siding, trim, and molding to enhance the look of the building.

False Dormer

A false dormer, also known as a blind dormer, is one that resembles a standard dormer but lacks a window or does not create a true opening in the roof. False dormers are designed to look like other dormer types in terms of style and roofline, but they are purely decorative. They exist to improve the building’s exterior aesthetics.

False dormers were common in traditional architectural styles such as Victorian and Colonial. False dormers are still used by modern architects to add symmetry and balance to roofs. They are also a low-cost dormer option because they do not require window installation or roof modifications.

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