I would be more concerned about room inside. If 6' makes usable space then I would go with that.

Why not just put a shed dormer on the back?

What's going up there? Bedrooms? If you want a twin bed in each dormer going crosswise, you'll need a few inches more than 6 feet for the interior to be wide enough.

Your contractor can mock up a dormer using 2 by 4s or equivalent. Or use some cardboard boxes. Even sitting on the ground instead of the roof, the mockups will give you useful ideas about how the structures would look.

Yes, we put on a shed dormer on the back. There are 2 bedrooms and a bath. I want dormers in the front because we have spectacular water views from the right side. I wanted to put window seats where the dormers are.

I think I remember you posting a while back about the kitchen. You're in CT right? I live in CT as well. The doghouse dormers are usually based on the size of the windows and also the house. I've got doghouse dormers over my 2 car garage. The windows are about 3 feet wide (including the interior trim). My dormers are 4 feet wide. I think 6 feet is way too big.

What does the front elevation look like? Did they make a 3D model?

What purpose will dormers serve for the interior space? Second floor plan?

I think dormers will add character as well as useable space. Have you considered a Nantucket dormer? It has two doghouse dormers connected by a shed dormer. Theoretically, you could make the two doghouse dormers slightly smaller to make them more proportionate, as the middle shed dormer would give you more space overall.

Honestly how much time will you spend looking out those windows from a bedroom. I agree another shed dormer if you must have dormers and IMO 6’ wide ones are a bit too wide and I also think the visual will not be applealing since no matter where you put them they will not line up with the bottom windows As for adding space IMO dog house dormers really do not add much.

Raise the front of the house the entire width, and while at it might as well put a 2nd floor on wouldn't cost much more.

Why didn’t you plan adding an actual second floor?

What a charming house!!! I think dormers on the front will be a wonderful addition. Please post the architectural drawing. Perhaps 6' is a bit too big. Hard to tell from the angle of your photo or without drawings. ':)

Your architect should have given you elevations of all 4 sides. If not, tell him to do so; you shouldn't have to imagine what the house would look like. It would be a simple task to create a 3D model as well.

If you actually want usable space consider a shed dormer.

meeganamurray - Any update?

Hi all, thank you for your input. We do have a 2nd floor. There are 2 bedrooms up there. We put a shed dormer on the back, but I personally do not like the look of a shed dormer on the front of the house. we decided to go with 5’ dormers. We were amazed how much light it let in, plus, the water views are spectacular! Now we have water view from all of the rooms in the house! I am worried that the dormers are a little big, but too late now!

Also, since we only have 4 rooms in the house, I anticipate spending lots of time reading on the window seat that I plan to build in the dormer!