FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
How-To

Framing an Elegant Dormer

Flanking a shed dormer with a pair of gable dormers adds light and space inside while jazzing up the roofline.

By John Spier Issue 130
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Synopsis: This article describes a Nantucket dormer, a low shed dormer flanked by a pair of larger gabled dormers. The author offers a detailed look at framing as well as an explanation of how to get eaves to line up seamlessly.

Some years ago, my wife, Kerri, and I built a small Cape-style house for ourselves on Block Island, Rhode Island, where we live and work. Most small Capes have essentially the same upstairs plan: a central stairwell and a bathroom at the head of the stairs with bedrooms on each side. Dormers provide the headroom to make these upstairs spaces usable.

The most common arrangement is probably a doghouse, or gable, dormer in each of the bedrooms, with a larger dormer on the other side for the bathroom. Another alternative is a shed dormer over all three spaces, but we weren’t too keen on that look. Then at some point, one of us found a picture of a dormer that was essentially two doghouse dormers connected by a shed dormer.

This design would give us as much interior space as a shed dormer, and it was a lot nicer looking. Of course, we argued over the choice at great length. Kerri, the artist, insisted on the beauty and complication of this hybrid dormer, while I, the practical carpenter, thought about how much easier and faster a basic shed dormer would be. I never had a chance of winning that argument.

As our dormer took shape, an old-timer on the island told us that what we were building was called a Nantucket dormer. The name stuck, and we use it to describe the several different variations that we’ve built since, including the project in this article. Ironically, the history experts on Nantucket island disavow any connection to the name, claiming that the design has no historical precedent.

Two different strategies for two different interiors

Even though its design seems to be two dormers connected by a third, the Nantucket dormer is actually built as a single structure. The front wall can be a single plane, or its center section can be recessed. The project in this article has the center section stepped back, a look that I’ve come to prefer. As with most dormers, I think Nantucket dormers look better if the walls are set back from the ends and edges of the main roof and from the plane of the walls below.

I frame Nantucket dormers two different ways to produce two distinctively different interiors. The difference, roughly speaking, is that one method uses structural rafters and the other uses structural valleys.

Framing the dormers with structural valleys allows the interior partitions to be eliminated, creating one big open room with interesting angular ceiling planes. For the project in this article, however, we used the structural rafter method to create the more common floor plan with two bedrooms and a bath.

The key element in supporting a Nantucket-dormer design is that it is point-loaded, either at the bases of the valleys or at the bottoms of the carrying rafters. Those loads need to be carried by appropriate floor or wall structures below. The same frame that supports the uniform load of a shed dormer might not carry the point loads of a Nantucket dormer. If you have any doubts at all, it’s a good idea to have a structural engineer evaluate the support structure.

Doghouse walls go up first

After the main gables of the house are raised and braced, we lay out the locations of the main roof rafters on the top of the main wall plates. We also locate and snap lines for the outside walls of the doghouses and the shed on the second-floor deck.

The first things that we build are the two doghouse gables. We use the same process that we used for building and raising the main gables, only in a smaller scale. Just as with the main gables, the walls are framed, sheathed, house-wrapped and trimmed before they are lifted and braced plumb.

For more photos and information on framing a dormer, and installing doghouse walls, click the View PDF button below. 

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Shingle Ripper

This tool makes tearing off shingles easier and faster, providing powerful leverage that allows you to work comfortably. Its beveled teeth and wide blade make it easy to remove nails and push shingles off the roof.
Buy at Amazon

11" Nail Puller

Pulling nails is a part of framing, so this tool is always on our belts — the cats paw makes the job easy, plus the company donates to veterans.
Buy at Amazon

Roof Jacks

All-steel construction makes these roof brackets durable and long lasting, and their adjustability allows you to create a flat, safe standing surface on most any pitched roof.
Buy at Amazon

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
View PDF

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Listeners write in about fostering trade work and proposed changes to Canadian code and ask questions about roof and wall insulation for an old house.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Roofing on Commercial vs. Residential Buildings
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details
  • Stop Ice Dams When Reroofing

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: A Double Roof Discussion
  • Framing and Flashing a Small Deck
  • Details for Integrating an Addition
  • Podcast 596: Broken Trusses, Frost-Protected Foundations, and Air Control Methods
View All

Roofs

View All Roofs Articles
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Roofing on Commercial vs. Residential Buildings
  • Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details
  • Stop Ice Dams When Reroofing
  • Simple, Site-Made Trusses
View All Roofs Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

You have 1 free article remaining.

Get complete site access, including thousands of videos, how-to tips, tool reviews, and design features.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data