Personally, I think it looks great! I like porches that are covered by the main roof of the house. I'm no engineer (well, actually I am, but not THAT kind of an engineer), but I've gotta believe that having a porch integrated with the house roof offers some huge structural advantages.

-Diggity

We have a similar roofline w/ dormer only worst case was that the chimney was on the front wall somewhat obstructing the dormer.We eliminated the chimney as well and are using the alcove on that front wall for a zero clearance fireplace (gas).

Imo, it will look better w/o the chimney on your footprint as well and the dormer keeps it all tied in. Would look pretty funky w/o the dormer making that roofline a ski jump!

If the wall where the chimney is located is an open rake wall with that area being vaulted and open inside, you might want to consider a fixed glass rake window,(triangular), in that area where the chimney is now up high for extra light and to break up the mass of the wall somewhat.

I think its nice but I agree with sierrait could use some kind of window. I think a window between the current window and the chimney on the 2nd floor.Even if its not a functioning window it will leave in light. Unless of course its somewhere you cant have one.
cyn

That long diagonal line where the roof slopes down is jarring to my eye at first glance. But I could get used to it. I've gotten used to a lot of things. Lol!

Seriously, if it's on a corner or otherwise highly visible you could have someone come up with a modified roof solution there. Otherwise, there are a lot of roof configurations these days that are non-traditional.

Does it really, really bother you? Because it's really fine as is.

I have a very similar side - with the long sloping roof. I didn't care for it at all when we were planning, but since it's not readily visible, and because of all the other considerations, I decided it wasn't worth worrying about.

Here's a photo taken Feb, 2006 just after the roof went on

And this was taken today - the landscaping helps, I think.

I don't see a problem with the aesthetics, especially with the chimney breaking up the roof line.

Nice looking house,zone8! Beautiful landscaping and a nice upper deck in back.

I actually like the chimney and the roofline. I'm not crazy about the window layout. Does that one window have to be shorter? I would make it the same width as the window above it and line them up. I would also make the two windows flanking the chimney the size height and width. Can you add another window upstairs on the big blank wall, putting it above the window to the left of the chimney?

Just my 2 cents.

I think she said there will be no chimney.

If you are not going to have the chimney there, it will be a large mass of blank wall. I agree that there needs to be some sort of window there.

zone 8grandma Yours is a traditional saltbox home. Looks great!

Traditional Saltbox, built in 1735, Grafton, Mass.

zone 8grandma: pretty house. is the siding nichiha or real cedar... hardi?

Teach: I'm fine with the roof lines, but to me the rather large space between the only window and the chimney on the second level looks like a missed opportunity.

If you left the chimney wider [rather than tapering it below], or used a larger window, or a second window so this space wasn't so large and blank, it would look better to me.

Remember folks, there will be NO chimney. That changes things for me and makes me wonder what to do with that space without the chimney.

teach: Is there space to add another window on that upper floor? If so, I'd do it and than stack (align vertically) the windows on that elevation.

Correct, there will be no chimney. The area behind the blank space will be an 18 ft great room. Also, we will move the right window over about two feet to allow for a corner gas fireplace. Last night I thought about doing away with that right window altogether, but it would leave a HUGE expanse of blank wall. I'll probably plant a tree there to break up the blank area. The side will not be seen very much at all. It is not on a corner so I have stopped worrying about it and moved on to other things to obsess about!!!!! There are soooo many!! LOL

kateskouros
Thank you. The siding is Hardi (factory stained Mahogany)

teach - you still need to vent that gas FP. Why not keep the chimney for that purpose?

I agree with the OP that this looks weird -- and will look worse without the chimney as drawn. It's also going to look strange from inside -- and dark. I could see a row of windows up there, not centered perhaps, but much more glass please.

Houses without windows on their side walls always look to me as though money was the overriding issue. Plus, every room benefits from having light come in from at least two sides.

It will be a vent-free gas fireplace. Does anyone have one? How do you like it?

I'd never heard of a ventless FP, so did a google search.

I'm assuming that you don't live in CA or MA,

All kinds of combustion, whether gas or wood, requires the oxygen in air to create flames. Therefore, no fire could ever be truly "ventless," or it would extinguish itself. Ventless gas fireplaces are really using ductless or chimneyless technology, so they vent out into the room. That's why the volume of air in a room is very important

Several states within the United States, as well as other countries, have completely outlawed ventless gas fireplaces because of health concerns. Canada, Massachusetts, and California don't allow people to install these types of heaters because of their potential to build up carbon monoxide, deplete oxygen, and lead to unconsciousness or even suffocation. Check with your local building code before purchasing one of these appliances.

A milder health hazard offers another disadvantage to this choice. Ventless gas fireplaces lead to an increase in the room's humidity. Burning gas or propane creates water vapor that can build up in a room and possibly lead to mold and mildew growth. If most forms of mold aren't truly dangerous, they will certainly increase allergies and could spoil fabric, photographs, and books.

Here is a link that might be useful: What are Ventless Fireplaces?