In small vintage homes, making every inch of usable space functional is important. This especially holds true on a home's top floor when there are gable roof lines and potentially dormers to work with.
A dormer is a small structure, usually with at least one window, that projects out from a sloped roof.
If you buy a vintage home with a dormer you automatically gain extra usable square footage on the top floor! If you own a gabled-roof home without a dormer, it is possible to add one (or two) during a renovation project. Construction will require plans and a permit from the city. The structure has to be framed out, and brick or siding needs to be added, as well as a roof and any windows. On the inside, it will need insulation, drywall, trim, plus any added electrical or plumbing elements. Adding a small dormer will likely cost a minimum of $50k for the project. Keep in mind that depending on lot lines and the clearance of a neighboring building, the addition may not be possible on both sides of a home. Talk with your architect to verify possibilities for your home.
If your home already has a dormer, take advantage of the extra space! Having a dormer can make the difference between two bedrooms or three on the top floor. A dormer is also a great space for adding a bathroom. Adding windows in dormered areas is an easy way to gain natural light, and is less expensive than adding skylights. Smaller dormers are a fun spot to add a drop-down light fixture as a design element as well.
For homes without dormers, it is even more important to strategize the use of ceiling heights on the top floor. My rule of thumb is that any space 6’ or taller should be utilized as a space where standing is necessary. Any areas under the roof line that are under 6’ should be used for areas where standing isn’t necessary.
In my projects, I like to use shorter ceiling heights for storage closets.
I also frequently use areas under the angled roof for a sit-down make-up/vanity area in a bathroom.
Shower benches also work well in a lower ceiling height area.
Front-loading laundry machines tuck under a lower ceiling well too.
It is also common to put the back of a bed frame against the lower part of the angled roof, since you typically don’t need to stand on a bed, you only sit or lay down.
I never waste the lower ceiling area behind the bed and will build in storage with sliding doors tucked behind the bed as well.
One tool for adding a bit of height to an area with a sloped ceiling is to add a skylight. Since a skylight protrudes out of the roof line, it actually adds a few inches of ceiling height to the space. I have used this technique in a tight bathroom space where I need a bit more height for standing in front of a sink, or in front of a toilet.
Angled roof lines and dormers add charm and architectural interest to the top floor of a vintage home. They just require a little extra strategy and creativity to fully utilize them.
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