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Dormer windows give houses a distinct look. They’re typically used on more traditional house styles.

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

What is a dormer window?

A dormer window is a window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.

They can be on all types of roofs including gable, mansard, gambrel, hipped, shed and more.

Here’s an illustration of a dormer window.

What is the purpose of dormer windows?

Dormer windows‘ main purpose is to create more usable space in the top floor of a house.

It makes it possible to use the top floor that is otherwise an attic inside the roof structure. By creating a dormer, the space gains light and space so it can be a room or even a series of rooms.

What is a false dormer window?

A false dormer window is one that is built into the roof but there is not usable space behind it. It’s built to create the dormer window effect for appearance only.

Here’s our collection of many different house styles and designs with different types of dormer windows.

1. Georgian with 3 Narrow Dormers

Stately new red brick Georgian home with 3 narrow dormers on the third story and two dormers above the garage.

2. Farmhouse with 3 Dormers

White farmhouse with wrap-around porch and dark gray roof with three white dormer windows prominently jutting out from the long sloping roof.

3. Detached Garage

Detached 3 car garage with arched garage doors and one dormer above each garage door. This is a beautiful garage structure.

4. Gambrel Roof with Dormer Windows

Large L-shaped brick colonial house with 7 dormer windows built into the gambrel roof.

5. White Colonial

Quaint colonial style two-story home with three white dormer window making up the windows on the second floor.

6. Mansard Roof with Dormer Windows

Example of a mansard roof with dormer windows. They aren't as prominent as on roofs with more slope. — Example of a mansard roof with dormer windows. They aren’t as prominent as on roofs with more slope.

7. Top View of a House with Multiple Dormer Windows

Aerial top-down view of a house with multiple dormer windows - one large on one side and 3 small on the front. — Aerial top-down view of a house with multiple dormer windows – one large on one side and 3 small on the front. This is a good example of how they appear from above.

8. Contemporary House with Dormers

Subtle dormer windows make up all the windows on the second floor of this contemporary home. The home's steep roof slop minimizes the dormers' effect. — Subtle dormer windows make up all the windows on the second floor of this contemporary home. The home’s steep roof slop minimizes the dormers’ effect.

9. Gabled Roof with Dormer Windows

Classic white colonial home with black shutters with three handsome dormer windows in the gabled roof on the third story.

10. Suburban House with 1 Large and 1 Small Dormer

Green wood siding house with front porch includes one large dormer and one small dormer above the porch.

11. Example of a Flat Roof Dormer Window

Example of a dormer window with a flat roof jutting out from the sloped red gabled roof.

12. Large Heritage Home with Massive Dormer and Turret

Sprawling two story heritage mansion with a turret on one side and small dormer on the other side.

13. Hipped Roof Dormer Windows on All Sides

Yellow Colonial house with dormer windows on all sides of the hipped roof.

14. Example of a House with False Dormer Windows

New suburban house with two small false dormers on the roof above the second story which is above the two car garage.

15. Red Brick Georgian House with 5 Dormer Windows

Stunning new red brick Georgian style home with three small dormer windows above the house and two dormers on the roof above the garage. While the entire home has a red brick exterior, the dormers’ exterior is white.