A zinc dormer is one of the neatest ways to add headroom and light to a loft. Zinc can be folded tightly around the roof, cheeks and front of a dormer, giving sharp, slim edges that tile-hung or felted dormers can’t match. It is light, it needs very little maintenance because it forms its own protective patina, and it sits well against slate, clay tiles, brick and render.
The Specialist Roofing Company has been cladding dormers in zinc since 2007. We are a family metal roofing firm based in Old Windsor, and we work on dormers across Surrey, Berkshire, Windsor, London, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, for homeowners and for the builders and loft conversion companies who bring us in for the metalwork.
Call 01753 867288 or send us your dormer drawings for a quote.
Which parts of a dormer can be zinc?
- Dormer roof: standing seam zinc on the flat or low-pitch top, laid to a fall so water drains to the gutter or back onto the main roof.
- Cheeks (sides): vertical standing seam or panel cladding, the part most visible from neighbouring gardens.
- Front (face): zinc panels around the window, with the reveals and sill formed in zinc for a clean frame.
- Fascias, gutters and downpipes: zinc rainwater goods to match. We also make and fit zinc guttering and centre valleys.
You can clad the whole dormer or just the parts that suit the design, for example a zinc roof and cheeks with a rendered or tile-hung front.
Choosing a finish
Most dormers are clad in pre-weathered zinc, which arrives already coloured and weathers evenly from day one. VMZINC and RHEINZINK both produce pre-weathered blue-grey and dark grey finishes, and natural zinc is also available and dulls naturally over time. Dark grey zinc tends to recede against slate roofs; lighter blue-grey often suits clay tiles and brick. We can show you samples and the manufacturers’ colour ranges before you decide.
Things we check on every dormer
Dormers are small, but they are full of junctions: roof to cheek, cheek to main roof, window to face, dormer roof to gutter. Each needs to be designed, not improvised.
- Ventilation and build-up. Zinc must not trap moisture beneath it. We make sure the dormer roof and cheeks use a suitable ventilated or warm-roof build-up. See why ventilation matters beneath VMZINC standing seam.
- Movement. Even short zinc bays expand and contract with the seasons, so clips and folds must allow movement. More in why VMZINC standing seam roofs need movement allowance.
- Falls and drainage. A dormer roof that holds water will cause problems. We check falls before we start.
- Materials that touch the zinc. Some timbers, copper run-off and certain membranes can attack zinc, so we check what sits next to and above it.
- Rooflights in the dormer roof need proper kerbs and back gutters. See detailing rooflights in VMZINC standing seam.
Working with your builder or loft company
On most loft conversions the builder forms the dormer structure and we arrive to fit the zinc. We are happy to work that way. It helps if we see the drawings early, so the timber structure, deck, insulation and window positions are set up for the zinc. We can also talk directly to your architect about seam layout and finish, and provide details for a planning application. Because we do all our own work and never subcontract, the people you speak to are the people who fit it.
Planning and conservation areas
Many dormers fall under permitted development, but not in conservation areas or on listed buildings, and rules on materials apply. Planners often accept zinc on rear dormers where they want a quality, low-key finish. Always check with your local council or architect before you commit; we can supply finish samples and product information to support an application.
Guarantee
Every zinc dormer we fit comes with our 20-year guarantee. We are approved VMZINC and RHEINZINK installers, and we are fully insured.
Zinc dormer FAQs
How much does a zinc dormer cost?
It depends on the size of the dormer, how much of it is clad, the finish, access and scaffolding. We price from drawings or after a visit.
Can you clad an existing dormer in zinc?
Often, yes. We look at the existing structure and build-up first, as ventilation and fixing need to be right for the zinc.
How long does zinc on a dormer last?
Properly detailed zinc lasts for decades with very little maintenance, far longer than felt.
Do you do just one dormer?
Yes. No job is too large or too small.
See also: zinc cladding · standing seam roofing · zinc roofing in London
Get a dormer quote
Call 01753 867288 or 07941 011336, email info@thespecialistroofingcompany.co.uk, or send us your drawings.