Thread: dormer in balloon frame structrure?

Hello All,
We live in an 1850's Greek revival and would like to build an approximately 8-foot-wide shed dormer. The top plate of the balloon-frame structure is about 40" off the second-floor deck, it would be great if the windows were lower than this. I don't see a reference in the IRC for this, but looking around at other houses, it's clearly done fairly frequently. What's the structurally sound way to cut 8' of the top plate and build a dormer?
Thanks, Margot

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An architect or engineer can draw up stamped plans for your addition. There may be a number of different approaches. An engineer can calculate existing loads, stresses, etc. evaluate the sufficiency of the existing, and spell out what needs to be done to stablize the structure during construction and detail how you might accomplish it. Expect you will find this has later been moved to the "Questions from Home Owners, Home Buyers and DIYers" area by the forum Host.

Good advice - get an architect or engineer. This isn't something that can be easily answered on an on-line forum with any degree of accuracy. Even if someone did give you step by step instructions, you would be foolish to follow them without consulting with an architect or engineer first.

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

Good advice - get an architect or engineer. This isn't something that can be easily answered on an on-line forum with any degree of accuracy. Even if someone did give you step by step instructions, you would be foolish to follow them without consulting with an architect or engineer first.

Thanks! -Margot