Illustrated Architecture Dictionary

Dormer

A roofed atic window

Origin: French: dormir: to sleep

Dormer windows have been used in domestic architecture in Britain since the 16th century. 
Dormer windows were popularized by French architect 
François Mansart, who used dormers extensively in the mansard roofs he designed for 17th-century Paris

Hipped: Hipped dormers are found, for example, in Prairie, Shingle styles

Gabled: Gabled dormers are found in Arts & Crafts, Colonial Revival, Federal, Georgian Revival, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Stick, Tudor Revival styles. Sometimes called dog-house dormer.

Clipped gable/jerkinhead dormer

Shed: Shed dormers are found, for example, in Arts & Crafts, Colonial Revival styles

Arched: Arched top dormers are found, for example, in Second Empire, Beaux Arts Classical styles

Round: Round or oval dormers are found, for example, in Beaux Arts Classical style

Oval: Round or oval dormers are found, for example, in Beaux Arts Classical style

Pedimented: Pedimented dormers are found, for example, in Colonial Revival, Federal, Georgian Revival styles

Eyebrow: Eyebrow dormers are found, for example, in Richardsonian Romanesque, Shingle styles

Through-the-cornice: Through-the-cornice dormer are found, for example, in Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival, Neoclassical, Second Empire styles

Lucarne A small  dormer window in a roof or spire


Examples from Buffalo architecture:

Other examples:


Photos and their arrangement © 2002 Chuck LaChiusa
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