Making shed dormers work

摘要

Shed dormers get a bad rap for being ugly. While they offer a practical solution for adding square footage to the second floor of a 1 1/2-story home, shed dormers are often oversize, creating an awkwardly large mass on the roof. When designed with care, intent, and an eye for scale and proportion, however, shed dormers can enhance a home's exterior while providing valuable space inside. Shed dormers (also called dustpan dormers) are defined by their single-slope, or monopitch, roofs. Although gable dormers seem to be more common, a well-designed shed dormer is sometimes a better choice. (You can find my tips for designing gable dormers in FHB #245.)