I own a 1909 story & a half bungalow, gable roof. Roof is 8 in 12 pitch. It has a nice 12′ dormer on one side (dormer ridge even with main roof ridge line, wall even with lower level wall) and a little 5′ doghouse dormer on the opposite side (ridge lower than main roof ridge line).
I want to remove the small dormer and replace it with two gable dormers, side by side with some kind of transition between them, to make one room, a larger bathroom. This new construction would be centered in roof, go up to the main ridge line and line up opposite from the other dormer. I don’t want to do a shed dormer! New bath will be about 6′ wide and 18′ long.
Does anyone out there have a clue to locate some plans for this type of construction? I do finish carpentry and cabinet making by profession and have a buddy who is a great framer so I know we can do it. I’d just appreciate any tips from someone who has done something like this or knows where I can see some plans. P.S. I’m too cheap to hire an architect. Thanks!!
Replies
Greetings Jim, Welcome to Breaktime.
By adding this post to your thread, it will run your post thru the recent discussion listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones eye that can assist you with your question.
Cheers
Need an engineer to spec a structural ridge beam and a way to install it
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In my cheapness I'd like to avoid an engineer, but of course would do it if I HAD to. Still holding out hope someone here has a clue how to do. Thanks,
Jim
FHB had a framing article in issue #130 that seems like it is what you are looking for. If you have or can locate a copy of the issue than the article starts on page 63. There are also several picture examples of similar dormers in the same issue starting on page 114. Hope this helps.
Dan
"Life is what happens when you are making other plans." - John Lennon
Dan,
Thanks for the pointers, I'm going to climb up into the shop attic right now and find that issue.
It sounds like what you want is what's known as a Nantucket dormer. Two doghouse dormers connected with a shed roof. The face of the shed roof can be in plane with the front of the doghouse dormers, or it can set back a bit.
If you don't care about cathedral ceilings inside, the dormer can be built like a shed dormer with the doghouse gables overlaying the shed roof. If you want more ceiling height inside, the engineering can get a bit tricky. A good framer would be able to figure it out for you, or just spend the $ on an engineer. You don't want to take chances with the roof falling down.
Mike:
This is exactly what I'm thinking about! Good to know it has a name, even if it rhymes with the original filthy limerick we all learned in 7th grade.
I, too, was thinking that I could frame it like a shed dormer and stick the gables on top, so I'm encouraged that someone else reckons that will work. I'm just looking for a flat 8' ceiling inside. (At 6'5" the current doorjamb hits my head in the morning, but after a day of work I'm beat down enough so that I can clear it.)
Like I said in my original post I have a friend and work buddy who is a good, professional framer. I've built a thing or two myself, but this is just a bit beyond what I'd tackle alone without some good advice.
Thanks for the tips.
There once was a man from nantucket.....yada yada yada...yada yada yada, instead of coming he went?