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A house I'm interested in is priced right, the size I want and the location is perfect. It's a bungalow about 1000 sq. ft. Problem is the hip roof makes it look kind of squat and ugly. I don't particularly like hip roofs.
It's in a windy location, so I'd keep the footprint of the hip roof. How about a large eyelid dormer or raising half of the front with a gable?
What changes would you suggest to improve the look of the roof, and how much do they cost? I'll have a bit of money to spend, but don't want to go crazy.
For a bungalow, a dormer in the front would look appropriate at least. A gable addition will, imho, look awkward. Remember that a hip roof does have the advantage of providing additional shade around the perimeter of the house during the day, as well as protection from the rain so you can leave your windows open during showers. It's also the appropriate style roof for a bungalow house,
Start shopping for designs and contractors- you probably already know its not simply an appearance issue; its a design and structural issue: be careful!
For a bungalow, a dormer in the front would look appropriate at least. A gable addition will, imho, look awkward. Remember that a hip roof does have the advantage of providing additional shade around the perimeter of the house during the day, as well as protection from the rain so you can leave your windows open during showers. It's also the appropriate style roof for a bungalow house,
Thanks, I think an eyelid dormer would look best as it's softer and works with the roof style. The house has a tiny patio at the left, so offsetting the dormer to the right seems appropriate. What do you think?
The house is located in a working class area that's gentrifying, so I don't want a house that's too fancy and sticks out. I absolutely love bungalow homes, btw.
You could design and build (more likely have a professional do so) what is known as a California Fill roof, which is a roof framed on top of an existing roof.
After confirming that the structure of the existing roof is strong enough to carry the additional loads (including wind loads), or strengthen any deficiencies, build up a California Fill gable roof from about midway down the front hip would likely give you the look you are desiring. There is not that much structure/load to them and the load is displaced fairly evenly so most roof structures are able to handle it without modifying them.
"Eyelid", more commonly known as "eyebrow" dormers could be a possibility- scaling the size properly is the make or break.
Posting a pic would help a lot- one's idea of "bungalow" can be construed differently from another's.
There are several areas here in the ATL that have craftsman style bungalows, most of which have shed dormers on the front because the attic areas where walk-up and the shed dormer added useable sq/ft for finishing. Always get the most use out of something you look at as "cosmetic".
That's a "ranch" all day long. And the design is pretty poor! The pitch of the roof is too shallow- it isn't proportionate to the structure- a better way to put it: cheap as builder!
That's a "ranch" all day long. And the design is pretty poor! The pitch of the roof is too shallow- it isn't proportionate to the structure- a better way to put it: cheap as builder!
Adding a gable isn't helping that house at all!
Some people call these "bungalows" interchangeably. Any suggestions on helping the house? Location is great, and if I get it, it will be cheap.
They may call them bungalows, but they're not. I've had a hipped-roof ranch and now have a hipped-roof 1927 bungalow and there's a distinctive difference in appearance and style. For one thing, a bungalow is typically oriented from front to back, while a ranch is oriented from side to side - like yours is. Adding anything to the roof will not improve it. Landscaping appropriate for the lot and the house would though. And no shutters, please.
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