Dormer windows in Tyne and Wear
We are a dormer specialist, not a general builder who occasionally does roofs — and across Tyne and Wear that focus shows up in the detailing.
Dormers on Tyne and Wear roofs
Most of the dormer work we take on around Tyne and Wear is on Tyneside flats, brick terraces and interwar semi-detached streets, where the ridge height and the position of the existing purlins set the limits.
We survey the roof before quoting anything. Ridge height, rafter span, purlin position and the condition of the existing structure decide which dormer forms are possible — and there is no substitute for a tape measure in the loft. The survey is free and carries no obligation.
Planning permission in Tyne and Wear
Whether you need planning permission or a lawful development certificate depends on the elevation, the volume already used and the local authority's Article 4 position — all of which we confirm before design work starts.
What we do across Tyne and Wear
We only do dormers. That sounds like a limitation until you have watched a general builder improvise a back gutter on a wet Thursday.
- New dormers — flat roof, pitched, gable-fronted, hipped, shed, box, L-shaped, eyebrow and cat slide forms
- Full conversions — structure, staircase, insulation, plaster and building control sign-off
- Glazing — uPVC, timber, aluminium, sash and heritage-profile conservation windows
- Cladding and roofing — tile-hung, slate-hung, lead, standing-seam zinc, cedar and GRP
- Repairs — leak tracing, flashing renewal, rot repair and blown unit replacement
Book the survey, get the fixed written price, and decide in your own time. Nothing about that process commits you to anything.
Towns and cities
Where we work in Tyne and Wear
10 towns and cities across Tyne and Wear, plus the surrounding villages.
Services in Tyne and Wear
Every dormer type, locally
Flat Roof Dormers in Tyne and Wear
The most space-efficient dormer — a flat-topped box that squares off the roof slope.
Learn morePitched Roof Dormers in Tyne and Wear
A miniature pitched roof over the dormer — the traditional, period-correct option.
Learn moreGable-Fronted Dormers in Tyne and Wear
A pitched dormer with a vertical gable face — the classic 'dog-house' front elevation.
Learn moreHipped Roof Dormers in Tyne and Wear
Three sloping faces instead of a gable — softer, and often easier to get past planning.
Learn moreShed Dormers in Tyne and Wear
A single shallow slope running with the main roof — wide, low and understated.
Learn moreFull-Width Rear Dormers in Tyne and Wear
Wall-to-wall across the back of the roof — the biggest gain in usable floor area.
Learn moreL-Shaped Dormers in Tyne and Wear
A rear dormer joined to a second over the outrigger — the Victorian terrace answer.
Learn moreBox Dormers in Tyne and Wear
A simple squared projection — the workhorse dormer for bedrooms and bathrooms.
Learn moreEyebrow Dormers in Tyne and Wear
A curved, brow-like swell in the roof — no cheeks, no vertical faces.
Learn moreCat Slide Dormers in Tyne and Wear
The main roof continues down past the dormer — a soft, cottage-style profile.
Learn moreDormer Loft Conversions in Tyne and Wear
The full job — structure, dormer, stairs, insulation, plaster and building control sign-off.
Learn moreBungalow Dormer Conversions in Tyne and Wear
Turn a bungalow's roof void into a first floor — often doubling the footprint.
Learn moreVelux to Dormer Conversions in Tyne and Wear
Already have rooflights? Convert the slope to a dormer and gain standing height.
Learn moreDormer Window Installation in Tyne and Wear
Supply and fit of the window itself into new or existing dormer openings.
Learn moreDormer Window Replacement in Tyne and Wear
Swap tired, draughty or rotten dormer windows without touching the structure.
Learn moreuPVC Dormer Windows in Tyne and Wear
Low maintenance, well insulated and the most cost-effective frame for a dormer.
Learn moreTimber Dormer Windows in Tyne and Wear
Engineered hardwood or softwood — the right answer on period and listed roofs.
Learn moreAluminium Dormer Windows in Tyne and Wear
Thermally broken aluminium — the slimmest frames and the largest possible glass area.
Learn moreSash Dormer Windows in Tyne and Wear
Vertical sliding sashes sized and detailed for a dormer opening.
Learn moreConservation Dormer Windows in Tyne and Wear
Heritage-profile dormers and glazing for conservation areas and listed buildings.
Learn moreDormer Cladding in Tyne and Wear
Re-clad tired dormer cheeks and faces in tile, lead, zinc, timber or GRP.
Learn moreGRP Fibreglass Dormer Roofing in Tyne and Wear
Seamless glass-reinforced polyester on flat dormer tops — no joints, no seams.
Learn moreLead & Zinc Dormer Roofing in Tyne and Wear
Traditional code lead and standing-seam zinc for dormer roofs, cheeks and flashings.
Learn moreDormer Window Repairs in Tyne and Wear
Leaks, rot, failed flashings, blown units and draughts — diagnosed and put right.
Learn moreWhat homeowners say
Judged on the junctions, not the sales pitch
“The survey was the useful bit — he told us the ridge height wouldn't take what we'd been sold elsewhere, and offered a shed dormer instead. Glad we listened.”
— Homeowner, Tyne and Wear“Scaffold went up on the Monday, roof was open and weathertight by the Thursday. No drama, no surprises on the invoice.”
— Homeowner, Tyne and Wear“We'd had two leaks patched by other firms. They traced it to the back gutter in an hour and it hasn't come back since.”
— Homeowner, Tyne and WearComments shown are representative of feedback received. Verified reviews are being collected from launch.
FAQs
Dormers in Tyne and Wear — FAQs
Can you build a dormer in winter?
Yes, with adjustments. Temporary weather protection over the scaffold lets structural work continue in most conditions. GRP roofing needs dry conditions above about 5°C to cure properly, so in a cold spell we either sequence it differently or specify EPDM, which is unaffected.
Do I need planning permission for a dormer window?
Rear dormers on a house often fall under permitted development, provided the dormer is set at least 200mm back from the eaves, sits below the ridge line, uses materials similar in appearance to the existing house, and stays within the volume allowance — 40m³ for a terrace, 50m³ for a semi or detached. Front-facing dormers, flats and maisonettes, listed buildings, conservation areas and any property with an Article 4 direction all need a full planning application. We check the constraints on your specific address before we quote.
How long does a dormer take to build?
A single box or flat roof dormer is typically three to five weeks on site. A full-width rear dormer runs five to eight weeks, and an L-shaped dormer on a terrace with an outrigger is closer to seven to ten. A complete dormer loft conversion including the staircase, services and finishes is usually eight to twelve weeks from scaffold up to sign-off.
Does a dormer need building regulations approval?
Yes, always — permitted development covers planning, not building control. A dormer needs approval for structure, thermal performance under Part L, fire escape and protected route under Part B, and stairs under Part K if a staircase is involved. We handle the application, the inspections and the completion certificate.
What is the best roof covering for a flat dormer?
GRP fibreglass and EPDM rubber are the two we specify most. GRP cures into a single seamless laminate with bonded trims and suits small tops with several upstands. EPDM is a one-piece membrane that copes better with movement on larger spans. Both carry twenty-year guarantees; mineral felt is cheaper but has a materially shorter life.
Can I put a dormer on the front of my house?
Front-facing dormers are not covered by permitted development and always need a full planning application. Approval depends heavily on the street scene — planners look at whether other dormers already exist on the road, and at proportion, position and materials. Hipped and pitched forms are approved far more often than flat boxes on a front elevation.
Find out what your roof will take
A free measured survey in Tyne and Wear tells you what is achievable, what it needs, and what it costs — before you commit to anything.