Attic Dormer High Snow Load

Roof dormers add light.

Attic dormer high snow load.

Proper roof ventilation and high r value roof insulation is essential to minimizing ice dam formation. Load path roof dormer the load path from the dormer flows down the side wall. In the case of heavy snow and ice during the last bad winter that s even more ponding water than usual. Summer and winter photographs of the same building.

Snow accumalates in valleys and may be a major design concern. It is something you have to pay attention to in areas with snow. Of snow you should upgrade to the 50 lb. One reason may be that the current unbalanced snow load provisions for gable roofs is much higher then what was required by some codes in the past.

Of snow on the roof a 90 lb. Homes in non snowy areas usually come with 20 lb. However the side wall does not extend to the floor in this area. Underestimation of snow loads can result in premature failure high maintenance costs resource damage and in some cases safety issues.

If the dormer is built above living space rather than over an attic or if you re converting attic space to living space then it provides much needed natural light. And the extra heat is not just a summer concern come winter hot attic air can melt snow on the roof during the day only to refreeze when temperatures drop overnight creating ice dams that lead. Most dormers are roof dormer windows that is the structure s roof surrounds the dormer as if it were a skylight. Shed dormers are easier to waterproof and shed snow better than gable dormers.

In some cases roof snow melt systems or heat tape can be used to combat ice accumulation on eaves and in valleys. This was the cause of the long standing interior moisture issues. In areas where you might get 2 or 3 ft. These photos were taken by roxie baldwin in 2002 at mirror lake on the medicine bow routt national forest.

If this rafter is supporting the dormer roof it should. In practice i found when a building only has a single valley on one side of the roof the unbalanced snow ussually governs. When the roof was snow and ice covered that part of the roof would melt faster causing water to pond which was then wicked up by the dormer structure. The load path needs to flow into the rafter next to the dormer side wall.

Dormers are wonderful spots for a reading nook kids play area dressing area and other uses where extra light is a bonus.