Part 3 looks at distinctive and international dormers. Every country has developed its own traditions to bring daylight and headroom to the attic. These examples show how cultural context, climate and building materials lead to very different executions.
French lucarne and mansard
In French mansard roofs, the dormer is an important façade element:
- Lucarne à fronton — vertical dormer with classical pediment, often in stone
- Lucarne en bâtière — simple dormer with gable roof
- Œil-de-bœuf — oval round dormer, often above the mansard break
- Decorative zinc crowns with festoons, putti or floral motifs
English and Scottish variants
In British architecture, dormers are often integrated with the façade:
- Eyebrow dormer — curved dormer without side cheeks; the roof flows over it
- Wall dormer — dormer continuing from the wall masonry
- Gable dormer — dormer with a pointed gable, typical for cottages
- Bay dormer — three-sided dormer projecting beyond the façade
German and Scandinavian examples
In Germany dormers are called “Gauben” and come in many variants:
- Schleppgaube — shed dormer with a low slope
- Spitzgaube — triangular dormer
- Trapezgaube — trapezoidal dormer
- Walmgaube — dormer with hipped roof
- Fledermausgaube — bat dormer with a curved form and no side cheeks
In Sweden and Norway, dormers often have wood shingle covering and small proportions.
Distinctive contemporary versions
Architects sometimes design unique dormers:
- Dormer as loggia — set back with a balcony
- Fully glazed dormer — all sides in glass
- Sculptural dormer — shaped as an art piece
- Pop-up dormer — extendable for extra space
Application
In internationally oriented architecture or heritage projects abroad, these typologies are used as references. Bat dormers and eyebrow dormers also appear regularly on thatched houses and country homes worldwide.
Related terms
- Dormer
- Mansard roof
- Hip roof
- Pediment
- Lucarne
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.