Looking to flood your home with natural light or enrich your facade with a touch of architectural flair? Look no further than transom windows!
Positioned gracefully above a large window or a door, a transom window can significantly transform your space by letting natural light in and serving as an architectural focal point!
In this article, we’ll discuss everything about transom windows, exploring their rich history, diverse customization options, and their ideal location in your house. Join us as we discover how these elegant additions can brighten your living space!
Key Takeaways
- Transom windows can incorporate fixed or operable windows like awning windows. They are installed above doors or larger windows.
- Transom windows enhance natural light and ventilation, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal to homes.
- Various styles, including rectangular, semicircular, elliptical, and triangular designs, offer customization options to match diverse architectural designs.
What Are Transom Windows?
Transom windows, also called transom lights, are located above doors or windows for both functional and aesthetic roles. The term transom doesn’t refer specifically to a window style but rather to the window placement. It is usually used to indicate the horizontal beam that separates the top of a window or door from the wall.
As such, various window styles can be installed as transom windows, depending on the homeowner’s preferences. For example, an awning window or a hopper window can be a transom window. A fixed window can also be a transom window.
The main purpose of a transom window is to provide more natural light. It also serves as a ventilation source if it’s operable. Additionally, transom windows can be customized in countless ways, so they complement and boost the overall home design. They come in various shapes, including curved designs, and can be personalized with different colors, glass types, frame materials, and lites.
Given that transom windows are installed above doors or larger windows, they are rather small, which is why they are perfect for ventilation, at the same time maintaining privacy and safety. Plus, transom windows create an illusion of height in a room, drawing the eye upward and enhancing the overall space.
Fun fact – in Japan, a transom window is called ranma and is also installed above doors in many traditional Japanese buildings. However, a ranma is not a window per se because it has no glass – instead, it is a wooden panel with intricate design typically installed above a sliding door. It is used for ventilation and decorative purposes. In some buildings, a ranma serves as a subtle decorative piece indicating a family’s wealth.
Transom Windows – A Brief History
During the development of early Gothic architecture, transom windows were installed only in belfry unglazed windows – a belfry is a structure that encloses the bells at the top of a building, usually in a bell tower or a steeple. In these structures, transom windows served a completely different purpose than today – they were installed to strengthen the mullions.
Toward the later Gothic era, transoms became more common in other types of windows and were installed for other purposes as well, including ventilation. They were also widely installed to let natural light in, especially before electricity became a norm. At the time, they were small and rectangular and quite simple in design.
Over the years, transom windows have become an architectural centerpiece, especially during the Renaissance and Baroque eras, when homeowners started decorating these windows. Many churches and palaces incorporated stained glass in transom windows.
Types of Transom Windows
Some of the most popular types of transom windows are semicircular, elliptical, and rectangular, but they can also be designed in other shapes, like triangular, to enhance specific architectural styles.
Rectangular Transom Windows
Rectangular transom windows have a modern, sleek look. These windows beautifully complement various architectural styles, offering minimalist yet visually striking elements that elevate the overall design.
Whether used above doors or windows, rectangular transom windows can undoubtedly boost the home’s architectural appeal!
Semicircular Transom Windows
Semicircular transom windows, also known as half-moon windows, contribute to infusing a sense of elegance into both traditional and modern architectural designs. They bring a timeless charm to entryways and living areas, often serving as captivating focal points that naturally draw the eye.
Ideal for spaces with high ceilings, semicircular windows amplify the feeling of verticality and grandeur. Additionally, semicircular windows are often decorated with grills.
Elliptical Transom Windows
Elliptical transom windows are similar to semicircular and arched windows. However, they slightly differ from the latter because of their much wider, flatter curve.
An elliptical transom window installed above the door or a large window serves as a striking design element that can easily become the focal point of a facade. Their unique shape adds a layer of elegance to any home design.
Triangular Transom Windows
Triangular transom windows are not that common, but they can definitely be strategically incorporated into a window or door design! It goes without saying that they can be customized to fit specific architectural styles, often enhancing the overall aesthetic of a building – for instance, they can be coupled with another triangular window, both installed above a window wall.
These windows provide unique visual interest and can be used to creatively design the space above doors or windows. They work well in modern architecture, providing a contemporary look while maximizing natural light.
Design Options for Transom Windows
There are countless transom window options you can choose from! This is exactly what makes them so praised in the window industry! You can pick various window styles, glass types, frame materials, and other decorative elements. Let’s find out more!
Window Style
A transom window can be fixed or operable. If you want an operable window, it is easier and more budget-friendly to have it rectangular. This way, you can install an awning or hopper window as a transom window. A sliding window may also serve as a transom window, especially if the window opening is wide enough to accommodate it.
If ventilation is not a priority, you can certainly go for a fixed window, which is easier to customize in terms of shape and design.
Glass Types
Transom windows can feature various types of glass, including clear glass, frosted or stained glass, as well as decorative options. Frosted or stained glass enhances transom windows by providing privacy and adding artistic flair.
You can also choose to install single-, double-, or triple-pane glass, depending on your region’s climate and whether energy efficiency is a priority.
Additionally, you can add Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, which can significantly reduce energy loss by improving insulation. This type of glass is particularly beneficial for maintaining indoor temperatures and reducing energy costs.
Frame Materials
Wood, vinyl, composite, and aluminum frames are commonly used for transom windows. It’s important to assess the pros and cons of each and choose the one that suits your needs best. For example, if you prioritize natural light, you should consider Magic’s Hybrid Fusion Frame instead of, let’s say, a vinyl frame. The thing is that vinyl frames are quite bulky, and your window will have less glazing area. Magic’s Hybrid Fusion Frame, on the other hand, is much thinner than others on the market – it’s incredibly durable, which allows us to make it ultra-slim even for large glazing areas!
Don’t forget about the color of the frame, as it can significantly impact the overall aesthetic of transom windows. With Magic, you can have the frame in different colors on the exterior and interior!
Decorative Elements
Decorative glass options, such as grille patterns, can add an artistic element to transom windows, allowing for a personalized design.
Additionally, exterior cladding and window trim enhance the overall aesthetic, blending with the home’s exterior design.
Maintenance Tips for Transom Windows
Before choosing a transom window, make sure to consider whether you’ll be able to clean it, especially from the exterior. Given that these windows are often installed high on walls, cleaning them can become a challenge.
Plus, transom windows need to be maintained regularly – like any other window, for that matter – especially if they are operable. For instance, you’ll have to periodically check for drafts and seal failure, as well as ensure that the frame is not warped or cracked.
Transom Window Coverings
While modern transom windows are primarily installed for ventilation and natural light, you can also consider installing transom window coverings for those hot summer days when you want to keep your house cool. Or maybe it gets very cold during the winter, and you don’t want the cool air to seep in through your transom window.
Either way, you can install Magic’s incredibly functional solar shades and thermal blinds. They are fully retractable, which means they remain hidden within the frame when not in use. In other words, they do not obstruct views and do not affect the overall design of your transom window. When you need to cover the window, you simply have to pull the solar shades or the thermal blinds open, and they slide seamlessly along the window, covering it entirely.
The solar shades are slightly transparent, still allowing some light in, while the thermal blinds are opaque, providing complete privacy and improving the window’s energy efficiency by 40%. As such, if you want to know how to block light from transom windows, Magic’s window treatments are the answer!
Enhancing Different Spaces with Transom Windows
Without a doubt, exterior transom windows are the most common, being installed above front doors, drawing the eye upward and making entryways feel more open and inviting. They are also often paired with sidelights. Additionally, transom windows are installed above large windows for additional light and ventilation.
However, interior transom windows are quite common as well, being installed on interior walls to create open, airy spaces by allowing natural light to flow freely between rooms. For instance, you can install a transom window above a door that takes you from the living room to the kitchen. Nonetheless, before choosing a design, check if it’s structurally safe.
Last but not least, many homeowners choose to install a transom window above the bed – although, technically speaking, this window type is, in fact, called a clerestory window. A clerestory window is a window installed high on the wall. A window is called a transom window only if it is installed above a door or another window. Either way, regardless of its type, you can certainly install a window above the bed. Most homeowners prefer having it as wide as the bed for uniformity.
Got a Transom Window Idea? Book a Free Consultation with Magic!
It goes without saying that transom windows can be an excellent addition to any home! Therefore, if you have a transom window idea but don’t know where to start, you can take this burden off your shoulders by booking a free consultation with Magic!
Our experts are eager to work on unique windows and will do everything they can to transform your idea into reality!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the disadvantage of a transom window?
One disadvantage of a transom window is that it may not fit all homes, as it is installed high on the wall. Another disadvantage of a transom window is that you may find it quite difficult to clean and maintain it. You’ll also have to find suitable coverings if you need to block the light coming from it.
Why did old houses have transom windows?
Transom windows were installed in old houses to let in natural light and fresh air, especially before artificial lighting became the norm.
Are transom windows outdated?
While transom windows have been used for centuries, they are definitely not outdated. They can be customized in countless ways to enhance the overall design of a home. Plus, they also allow natural light in and serve as an extra entry point for fresh air.
What is the difference between a clerestory window and a transom window?
Clerestory windows are windows installed high on the wall, sometimes even at the roofline. On the other hand, while transom windows are also installed high on the wall, they are installed above a door or another large window.
Can I add transom windows to my existing home?
You can add transom windows to your existing home, but it’s crucial to consult a professional to ensure proper installation and assess the structural integrity of your walls.