May I respectfully suggest that since adding a dormer involves opening
up your roof and making serious structural changes (usually), maybe you
should look at hiring this out to a contractor? If you are looking for
step by step instructions, a project like this may be beyond your skill
level for now. On the other hand, even the most skilled craftsman had
to do things for the first time himself.
If you don't want to hire this out, there are many books and videos that
will help. First I would Google. This isn't a cop-out for an answer,
Google returns stuff like this:
http://www.repair-home.com/how_to/add_a_dormer.htm
And I like the books/videos from www.tauntonpress.com
You will definitely need plans to submit to your local building dept.
They won't accept hand drawn sketches (at least in my locale). And the
building dept can also be a great source of help (sometimes).
Keep us updated on how this goes for you...
Mark L.
Steph wrote:
> I am looking for some help and advice on building a dormer, possibly a
> step by step guide? Does anyone know where to find this information
> on the web?
"igor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I strongly endorse the caveats posted in reply to OP -- and I have long
> found great value here from all the caveats about this procedure or that,
> suggestions that have helped me a great deal do better work and stay
> safe(r) -- but I respectfully disagree with the apparent *absolute*
> conclusion (yours and others') that he should not attempt this simply
> because his having asked suggests too little knowledge. Certainly any
> structural changes to a house must be done with due care and with proper
> understanding of (1) what is at stake and (2) how the alterations should
be
> done. That being said, maybe OP knows this. Maybe he has done all sorts
> of work involving substantial structural issues but has never built a
> dormer? Dormers have all sorts of non-structural issues -- e.g., figuring
> out the proper angles, flashing, roof pitch, roofing. As Mark L did post
> in this thread, "On the other hand, even the most skilled craftsman had to
> do things for the first time himself."
The question, as posed by the OP would not lead one to believe he has done
all sorts of work involving substantial structural issues. It's nice and
maybe even fair to give the benefit of the doubt, but it could also be
foolish. I'm not trying to put the fellow down, but with what little bit he
put on the table, he does not indicate he has any of the necessary
background and building a dormer is a very complex and critical project.
Most skilled craftsman do not typically start out by asking for step by step
directions in a newsgroup and then go tackle a project. Most start with
some form of apprentisship. That would be a better approach for the OP
based on what little bit he's shared with us.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
>
> It is certainly not incumbent upon anyone here to do this, but I have seen
> it done: Ask the OP what other kinds of things he has done/what is exp.
is,
> and after those details decide whether to help.
>
> And, frankly, while I have no plans to ever build a dormer (and my 1/12
> roof does not lend itself to one), I like learning stuff that is posted
> here so tuned into this thread hoping someone might provide some
details --
> though I have seen Norm do one on TOH.
>
> Having tried over the past few years to get a sense of the rec "style
book"
> for posting questions, it does seem to be preferred practice to indicate
> one's relevant experience when posting for help. Some people post to NGs
> with chapter and verse; some post with just the question. OP was closer
to
> the latter.
>
> Anyway, just my 1.5 cents. -- Igor
Mark L. wrote:
> May I respectfully suggest that since adding a dormer involves opening
> up your roof and making serious structural changes (usually), maybe you
> should look at hiring this out to a contractor? If you are looking for
> step by step instructions, a project like this may be beyond your skill
> level for now. On the other hand, even the most skilled craftsman had
> to do things for the first time himself.
>
> If you don't want to hire this out, there are many books and videos that
> will help. First I would Google. This isn't a cop-out for an answer,
> Google returns stuff like this:
> http://www.repair-home.com/how_to/add_a_dormer.htm
> And I like the books/videos from www.tauntonpress.com
>
> You will definitely need plans to submit to your local building dept.
> They won't accept hand drawn sketches (at least in my locale). And the
> building dept can also be a great source of help (sometimes).
>
> Keep us updated on how this goes for you...
I would strongly recommend doing some less ambitious projects first.
>
> Mark L.
>
>
> Steph wrote:
>
>> I am looking for some help and advice on building a dormer, possibly a
>> step by step guide? Does anyone know where to find this information
>> on the web?
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
"Steph" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am looking for some help and advice on building a dormer, possibly a
> step by step guide? Does anyone know where to find this information
> on the web?
What seems wrong with a person asking for a step by step guide to building a
dormer? Man, this is one of those things that you need to know a bit about
what you're doing to go ahead and do it. If you have to ask this question,
you really should not be contemplating building a dormer.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 18:45:30 GMT, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Steph" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> I am looking for some help and advice on building a dormer, possibly a
>> step by step guide? Does anyone know where to find this information
>> on the web?
>
>What seems wrong with a person asking for a step by step guide to building a
>dormer? Man, this is one of those things that you need to know a bit about
>what you're doing to go ahead and do it. If you have to ask this question,
>you really should not be contemplating building a dormer.
I strongly endorse the caveats posted in reply to OP -- and I have long
found great value here from all the caveats about this procedure or that,
suggestions that have helped me a great deal do better work and stay
safe(r) -- but I respectfully disagree with the apparent *absolute*
conclusion (yours and others') that he should not attempt this simply
because his having asked suggests too little knowledge. Certainly any
structural changes to a house must be done with due care and with proper
understanding of (1) what is at stake and (2) how the alterations should be
done. That being said, maybe OP knows this. Maybe he has done all sorts
of work involving substantial structural issues but has never built a
dormer? Dormers have all sorts of non-structural issues -- e.g., figuring
out the proper angles, flashing, roof pitch, roofing. As Mark L did post
in this thread, "On the other hand, even the most skilled craftsman had to
do things for the first time himself."
It is certainly not incumbent upon anyone here to do this, but I have seen
it done: Ask the OP what other kinds of things he has done/what is exp. is,
and after those details decide whether to help.
And, frankly, while I have no plans to ever build a dormer (and my 1/12
roof does not lend itself to one), I like learning stuff that is posted
here so tuned into this thread hoping someone might provide some details --
though I have seen Norm do one on TOH.
Having tried over the past few years to get a sense of the rec "style book"
for posting questions, it does seem to be preferred practice to indicate
one's relevant experience when posting for help. Some people post to NGs
with chapter and verse; some post with just the question. OP was closer to
the latter.
Anyway, just my 1.5 cents. -- Igor