Eyebrow Dormers

Popularized in the United States by architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the mid-late 19th century, Eyebrow Dormers interject a bit of frivolity in an otherwise flat, somber roof line. The Eyebrow Dormer, also called Eyelid Dormers, take the form of a low, upward curve with no distinct vertical sides, a sine wave, half oval, or quarter round.

Dormers are structural elements that protrude from a sloping roof surface. Dormers come in many shapes and the majority incorporate windows. Dormers are generally used in top floors to introduce light, head room, and ventilation. The word dormer comes from the Latin dormitorium meaning sleeping room (think dormitory).

Largely abandoned during the Arts & Crafts period, the Eyebrow Dormer re-emerged in the early 1920's in Revival forms.

Some Eyebrow Dormers were false (or blind), glass-less or walled off, included only for their distinguishing presence. Others have become false, as homeowners lacked the resource to install curved pieces of glass; or, converted to vents (though vents also appeared in an eyebrow-like form). Some also were likely removed by witless roofers during re-decking or as they struggled to shorten their shingle courses.