A dormer is a small structure that projects from a roof slope. Dormers are often used to extend the usable floor area of a second story that is under a moderate to steeply pitched roof. They can be quite effective in opening up cramped rooms under the roof. A typical dormer consists of a roof and three walls. The most common type of dormer is the gable dormer, characterized by the front gable in the roof.
You can also create a dormer without walls. In this case the dormer roof sits on top of the main roof. Its purpose is usually to add character to an otherwise plain roof or to make your roof design more complex. For example, you can insert a dormer roof on your main roof and stretch it to create a porch roof or gable extension.
Dormers are easy to insert - just point and click. You can control the dormer’s width, roof type, wall type, and wall height.
To create a dormer:
In the building locations drop box, select the location containing the roof you want to add the dormer to.
Select Insert > Roofs > Dormer Roof, or click the Roofs button on the Building toolbar and select Dormer Roof.
In the Dormers dialog, specify the desired width for the dormer in the Dormer Width edit box.
Click the Dormer Roof button, then select the desired roof type for the dormer. By default, the roof will have a gable front, regardless of the roof type. If you do not want it to have a gable front, uncheck the Gable Front check box.
If you want your dormer to have walls, check the Include Walls check box. Then, click the Dormer Wall button and select the desired wall type from the catalog. If you do not want your dormer to have walls, disable the Include Walls check box.
Note that dormer walls extend only to the surface of the main roof. As well, an opening is cut in the main roof surface to open the dormer up to the space below.
In the Support height above main roof edit box, type the height of the dormer’s front wall, not including the raked portion between the two roof slopes. You can use this option even if you are not inserting walls to control the position of the bottom of the dormer roof.
Click OK. The dormer’s wall footprint is attached to your cursor.
Position the dormer where you want it, then click to insert it. In most cases you would place the front dormer wall directly on top of the exterior wall. Example
Right-click and select Finish.
Note: If you can’t seem to insert the dormer, it means that the dormer is too large for the surface you are inserting it on. You may want to try decreasing the wall height before inserting it.
