Zinc dormer

A zinc dormer is an attractive addition to your home. This material distinguishes itself by having the longest lifespan and best weather resistance. In this article you will read all about the possibilities and prices of a zinc dormer.

What does a zinc dormer cost?

The prices of a zinc dormer are on average higher than the cost of a wooden dormer or a plastic one. Dormer prices for this material average £9,000 and depend on the type of dormer and the finish, among other things. See the average dormer costs in the table below.

What distinguishes the zinc dormer?

By comparing, you will discover whether a zinc is the material for you. In fact, there are a number of differences between a zinc dormer and other types of dormers. These differences are not only in the price, but also in the lifespan, degree of maintenance and the type.

Life span and maintenance dormer

There are several advantages to the material zinc, such as its high quality, weather resistance, lifespan or environmental friendliness. This table shows the differences in lifespan and maintenance between the zinc dormer and the other types of dormers.

Type of dormer

Making a zinc dormer is possible in two ways. A prefabricated dormer window the dormer specialist builds remotely and installs on the house in one go. It is also possible to have a zinc dormer built on site, which is called a traditional dormer. The costs for a traditional dormer are higher, as it takes the dormer specialist longer.

Maintenance dormer

The zinc dormer does not need any maintenance apart from the biannual cleaning, as zinc is very weatherproof. When you clean or have it cleaned once every few years, you ensure that your dormer stays clean. Since cleaning a zinc dormer is an easy and quick job, you save time with this compared to another kind of dormer.

Little renovation needed

If you choose a zinc dormer, the chances of a dormer renovation are significantly lower than with other materials. Insulating the dormer, for example, is a task that is not likely to recur as with other dormers. Replacing a zinc dormer, is something that happens on average only once a generation due to its long lifespan. Allowing you to enjoy the zinc dormer your whole life.

Pre- and disadvantages of a zinc dormer

A zinc dormer has the advantage that you quickly enjoy extra space. In addition, it is also an investment in the house, benefiting its value. Besides the advantages, there are also some points to consider. Are you hesitating to get a zinc dormer? Then read the advantages and disadvantages here.

The advantages of a zinc dormer

• Zinc is strong and weather-resistant, giving the zinc dormer an average lifespan of more than 80 years.
• Zinc is a sustainable material that is fully recyclable. This makes it more environmentally friendly than other materials.
• A dormer leak is not likely to occur because zinc drains water reliably.
• A zinc dormer requires almost no maintenance. Cleaning it once every few years is enough.

The disadvantages of a zinc dormer

It is wise to take the following points into account when going for a zinc dormer.

• A zinc dormer is more expensive than the other materials.
• It is not possible to choose all colours; only shades of black and grey. Painting the dormer is not an option. It is possible, however, to apply details and thus make your dormer window your own.

Do you need a permit for a zinc dormer window?

Depending on the placement and characteristics of the dormer window, it can be placed permit-free. When you have a dormer placed at the front of your house, you usually need a permit for this. This is because the municipality regards anything adjacent to public land as affecting the immediate surroundings. If you decide to have your dormer placed at the back, this is a different story. If you adhere to the maximum dimensions below, you may build behind the dormer without a permit:

• Dormer window with a flat roof
• Not facing public area
• Height: maximum 1.75 m
• Bottom: between 0.5 m and 1 m above the eaves
• Top: at least 0.5 m below the roof ridge
• Sides: at least 0.5 m from sides of the roof surface
• Sides in the case of terraced houses: at least 0.5 m from house separating wall

Would you like to know for sure whether a dormer window permit is required in your situation? Then do the permit check on the Omgevingsloket.

Tips for buying a zinc dormer

Would you like to have a zinc dormer installed? Then it’s good to know what to look out for. Read some useful tips below, so that you can make the best choice for your zinc dormer window.

Look at the quality marks of the specialist

If you choose a specialist with a quality mark, you can be sure that his work meets strict quality requirements. This also applies to materials with a quality mark: they have been tested and meet strict conditions. An example is the VMRG quality mark. This quality mark tests facade elements for quality, safety, comfort and durability. If so, ask them for a reference and inquire about their experiences during the project. For example, how the dormer specialist worked, what kind of materials were used, what the finish was like and whether a lot of waste was left behind. You can also often find reviews on the internet that will give you an idea of the specialist.

Get a volume discount

Are there several houses in your neighbourhood without a dormer? Then it is interesting to see if your neighbouring houses are also interested in this. With neighbouring houses, for example, you can have one large dormer installed. The total costs per household will then be lower.