
If you want operable exterior transom windows, you’ll have to consider issues like weather and insects.

Most indoor transoms are inoperable and purely decorative. Operable vs inoperable transom windowsīoth interior and exterior transom windows are either fixed (inoperable), or able to be opened (operable). These are more expensive than stock windows. If you have a particular style of door, you can also order custom-sized transoms. You can purchase stock transom windows that fit standard door widths. They’re manufactured as a sealed unit, so they offer increased weather protection. This can give your space the illusion of size – perfect for interiors with small rooms that lead into each other.Įxterior transom windows are often sold as part of an entire door system. Interior transoms give your home a nostalgic look, while also increasing the feeling of openness between rooms. They are either installed over interior doors or front and back doors that lead to the exterior. Modern transom windows are also sometimes called transom lights. They range in height from only a few inches to a couple of feet, while the width typically spans the door plus any additional sidelights next to the door frame. The most common transom windows are rectangular in shape, but arched styles (also called fanlights) are also available. Types of Transom Windows Rectangular vs arched transom windows However, homeowners with a flair for old-world charm are rediscovering this distinctive type of window. Modern homes generally have more open-plan designs that let more light and air into the interior, so transoms went out of fashion in the mid to late 20 th century. It was mostly used back then in public buildings or homes of the well-to-do – the average householder had very low ceilings, so a transom wouldn’t fit.

It’s a relatively ancient form of window, dating from medieval Europe. This style of window rests on the horizontal beam above a doorframe. A side-hinged transom opens like a casement window or a door, and a top-hinged transom opens at the top. Some are bottom-hinged and operate with a latch that can be opened with a pole. They were especially common in row houses, which are typically long and narrow with windows only at the front and back.Ī working or “operable” transom window is one that can be opened. Transom windows historically were used to allow air and light between rooms, even when the doors were closed. So what are they, and what do they cost to install? Transom windows have made a comeback in building renovations and upgrades.
