Dormers Additions by Praiano Custom Home Builders

Expand your Living Space Without Expanding Your Footprint

Your home may already have more usable space than you realize. That attic above your head—the one you use for storing holiday decorations and forgotten belongings—could become a sunlit bedroom, a productive home office, or a peaceful retreat. At Praiano Custom Home Builders, we specialize in dormer additions that transform underutilized attic space into beautiful, functional living areas that feel like a natural extension of your home.

Adding a dormer is one of the most practical ways to gain living space on Long Island without changing your home’s footprint. Unlike ground-level additions that consume valuable yard space and require extensive foundation work, dormers build upward into your existing roof structure. The result is additional square footage, improved headroom, and dramatically better natural light—all while preserving your outdoor space and often proving more affordable than traditional additions.

What Is a Dormer?

A dormer is a structural element that projects outward from a sloped roof, typically featuring a window and its own roofline. Beyond their architectural appeal, dormers serve a vital practical purpose: they create standing-height space in areas where a sloped roof would otherwise limit headroom. This additional vertical space transforms cramped attics into rooms you can actually use and enjoy.

You’ve likely noticed dormers on Cape Cod-style homes, Colonials, and many other architectural styles common throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Whether your home already has dormers or you’re considering adding them for the first time, these additions can dramatically increase both the livability and value of your property.

Types of Dormers We Build

Every home has unique characteristics, and choosing the right dormer style ensures your addition complements your existing architecture while meeting your functional needs. We work with homeowners to determine which dormer type best suits their goals and their home’s design.

Shed Dormers

Shed dormers feature a single sloped roof and span a significant portion of your roofline, making them ideal for maximizing interior space. If you’re converting an attic into a full living area—whether a bedroom suite, home office, or recreation room—a shed dormer typically provides the most usable square footage. These additions are particularly popular on Long Island’s Cape Cod-style homes, where they can effectively add an entire second floor of living space.

Gable Dormers

Gable dormers, also called doghouse dormers, feature a peaked roof that resembles a miniature house projecting from your main roof. While they provide less interior space than shed dormers, gable dormers offer classic architectural charm and work beautifully on Colonial and Tudor-style homes. Many homeowners add multiple gable dormers across their roofline to create a balanced, traditional appearance while bringing light and headroom to specific areas.

Hip Dormers

Hip dormers feature three sloped roof planes that meet at a central peak, creating a softer, more subtle profile than gable dormers. This style integrates well with homes that already feature hipped rooflines and performs excellently in areas prone to strong winds—a consideration worth noting for Long Island’s coastal communities.

Why Add a Dormer to Your Home?

Families grow, needs change, and the home that once felt spacious can start feeling cramped. Before you consider the upheaval and expense of moving, consider what a dormer addition could accomplish. Many Long Island homeowners discover that expanding upward provides everything they need without sacrificing the neighborhood they love or the equity they’ve built.

Dormers transform unusable attic space into functional living areas. That dark, cramped space under your roof becomes a sunlit bedroom for a growing teenager, a peaceful home office separated from household activity, a guest suite for visiting family, or a dedicated hobby room. The natural light that floods through dormer windows changes the character of the entire space, making it feel welcoming and comfortable year-round.

From an investment perspective, quality dormer additions consistently add value to Long Island homes. Additional bedrooms and bathrooms are particularly valuable, and a well-designed dormer can create both. Unlike some home improvements that primarily benefit the homeowner during their time in the property, dormers appeal to future buyers and often return a strong percentage of their cost at resale.

Our Dormer Construction Process

Every successful dormer project begins with understanding your goals and assessing your home’s specific conditions. During our initial consultation, we discuss what you want to achieve with the new space, examine your existing roof structure, and evaluate any factors that might influence design or construction. This thorough assessment allows us to provide realistic recommendations and accurate expectations.

Once we’ve established your vision, we move into design and planning. We’ll work with you on layout options, material selections, and how the dormer will integrate with your existing home—both inside and out. Our goal is ensuring your new space looks like it was always part of your home, not an obvious addition.

We handle all permitting requirements, coordinating with local building departments throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Dormer additions require permits and inspections to ensure structural integrity and code compliance—requirements we navigate on your behalf so you can focus on the exciting aspects of your project rather than paperwork and bureaucracy.

Construction involves carefully opening your existing roof, installing proper framing, and ensuring everything is weathertight before proceeding with interior work. We coordinate insulation, electrical, HVAC extensions, and finish work to transform raw framing into comfortable living space. Throughout the process, we maintain clear communication about timelines, progress, and any decisions requiring your input.

Why Choose Praiano for Your Dormer Addition

Dormer construction requires expertise in both structural engineering and architectural integration. A poorly designed or constructed dormer can cause water infiltration, compromise your roof’s integrity, or simply look out of place. Our experience building custom homes and additions across Long Island means we understand how to create dormers that perform flawlessly and enhance your home’s appearance.

As a fully licensed and insured contractor, we ensure every dormer we build meets local building codes and passes all required inspections. This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring your addition won’t create problems when you eventually sell your home.

We believe in personalized service and clear communication. You’ll know what to expect at every stage, from initial consultation through final walkthrough. Your satisfaction with both the process and the finished space is what drives our reputation and our business.

Ready to Expand Your Living Space?

Whether you need an extra bedroom, want to create a private home office,
or simply want to make better use of your property, a dormer addition may be the perfect solution.
Let us show you what’s possible for your home.

Contact us today at (516) 548-5868 to schedule your consultation.
and discover how a dormer addition can transform your home and your lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dormer Additions

Do I need a permit to add a dormer on Long Island?

Yes, dormer additions require building permits in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Because dormers involve structural modifications to your roof and typically add living space, local building departments require permits, plan reviews, and inspections to ensure the work meets safety codes. We handle the entire permitting process on your behalf, from preparing plan submissions to coordinating inspections. Proper permitting protects you as a homeowner and ensures your addition won’t create complications when you sell your home.

How long does a dormer addition take to complete?

Most dormer projects take between four and eight weeks once construction begins, depending on the dormer’s size and complexity. A straightforward gable dormer adding headroom to an existing space completes more quickly than a large shed dormer creating an entirely new living area with bathroom plumbing. The permitting process typically adds two to four weeks before construction can begin. During our consultation, we provide a detailed timeline specific to your project so you know exactly what to expect.

Will a dormer addition increase my home’s value?

Quality dormer additions typically increase home value, particularly when they create additional bedrooms, bathrooms, or functional living space. In Long Island’s competitive housing market, homes with more usable square footage and better natural light command higher prices. The exact return depends on your local market and the quality of construction, but well-designed dormers that integrate seamlessly with your home’s architecture consistently prove to be sound investments.

What’s the difference between a shed dormer and a gable dormer?

Shed dormers feature a single sloped roof and typically span a large portion of your roofline, providing maximum interior space and headroom. They’re ideal for creating full rooms or converting attics into substantial living areas. Gable dormers have peaked roofs and a smaller footprint, making them better suited for adding light and headroom to specific areas rather than creating large new spaces. Many homeowners choose gable dormers for their classic architectural appeal, while those needing significant additional square footage often prefer shed dormers.

Can any roof support a dormer addition?

Most conventionally framed roofs with adequate pitch can accommodate dormers, but suitability depends on several factors. Your roof needs sufficient slope—typically a minimum 4:12 pitch—and proper rafter sizing to support the structural modifications. Homes with truss-framed roofs present more challenges than those with traditional stick-built rafters. During our initial consultation, we assess your roof’s structure and determine what’s feasible for your specific home.

Can I add a bathroom to my dormer addition?

Yes, adding plumbing for a bathroom is possible and often recommended, particularly when creating a bedroom or guest suite. Adding a bathroom increases both the functionality and value of your dormer space. The feasibility depends on your dormer’s location relative to existing plumbing lines and whether your floor joists can accommodate drainage. We evaluate these factors during planning and provide options that work within your home’s existing infrastructure.

Will the dormer space be comfortable year-round?

Absolutely. We install proper insulation meeting current energy codes, extend your home’s heating and cooling systems appropriately, and ensure adequate ventilation. A well-constructed dormer is just as comfortable as any other room in your home, regardless of season. Poor insulation and inadequate climate control are common problems with amateur dormer work—issues we prevent through proper planning and construction methods from the start.