LPS Direct designs and builds custom dormers and extensions for homes across Long Island, from Nassau to Suffolk County. Our team works closely with you to plan new bedrooms and living space that add real value and blend with your home’s existing roofline and style.
Whether you own a Cape Cod, a ranch or a split-level, we pay close attention to every detail so your new dormer or addition feels like it was always meant to be part of your home.
LPS Direct helps Long Island homeowners plan dormers and extensions that add usable space while keeping the new design connected to the existing home.
75 BROADHOLLOW RD,
FARMINGDALE, NY 11735
631.270.4488 | 212.226.1656
Frequently Asked Questions About Dormers on Long Island
Should I add a dormer, an extension or a second story?
It depends on where you need the space. A dormer reshapes part of the roof to finish a cramped upper floor and keeps your yard. An extension adds a ground-floor room, like a bigger kitchen or family room, but uses some yard. A second-story addition adds a whole new floor for several bedrooms and baths. We can walk through all three during your consultation.
Which dormer style gives the most usable space?
A shed dormer usually adds the most usable floor space. Its single roof slopes the same way as the main roof at a shallower pitch, so you get full headroom across a wider area. A gable dormer has its own small peaked roof. It adds light and curb appeal, but the extra headroom is mostly around the window.
Why do so many Long Island Cape Cods get dormers?
Cape Cod houses have steep roofs, and the upper level was often left as unfinished attic space. Long Island has many of them, including the original Levittown homes, which were built with an unfinished expansion attic. A dormer raises part of that roof so the space becomes real bedrooms or a bathroom with full headroom and natural light.
Does a new dormer bedroom need a certain size window?
Yes. New York’s residential code says every sleeping room needs at least one window or door that opens wide enough to serve as an emergency exit. The minimum clear opening is 5.7 square feet, at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide, and it must open from inside without keys or tools. We plan the window size and the room layout together from the start.
Can you add a dormer to a ranch house?
Sometimes. Ranch houses usually have long, low-pitched roofs, so there may be too little attic height for a dormer alone to add much headroom. In that case, raising the roof or adding a second story may be the better fit. A site visit shows how much height your roof has to work with.
What are the steps in a dormer project?
It starts with a consultation at our Route 110 design center in Farmingdale or by phone. Next comes a site visit to check your roof, framing and stairs, then plans and engineering, then permits from your town or village. Construction opens the roof, frames and closes in the dormer, and finishes with insulation, drywall, trim and paint.
How much does a dormer cost on Long Island?
There’s no single price, because every dormer differs in size, roof structure and finishes. A small gable dormer and a full rear dormer with a new bathroom are very different projects. Our cost guide explains what moves the price and how to compare quotes fairly: How Much Does a Dormer Cost on Long Island? We’ll give you a clear number after we see your home.
