How To Build A Transom-Equipped Interior Door Frame?

DIYers can enhance their projects by adding a beautiful transom window above their door. This simple DIY tutorial teaches how to plan, order, and install a transom, which can be used on an exterior wall or above an office, bedroom, or bathroom door. Arched transom windows, also known as fanlights, are popular for entryways and to dress up pass-through doorways in interior walls.

In this article, Gary Striegler discusses the process of building and installing a transom in a house with a 9-ft. ceiling. The process involves a King Stud on the outside, a trimmer on each side, and cripples above the header to support the roof. The frame is then attached to the transom panel, and the glass is placed inside.

Adding transom windows to cased openings in a home can instantly give it a custom craftsman home feel. The idea book offers 11 picture variations of interior transom windows over doors with helpful hints on how to order and install. By following the instructions provided, homeowners can add a beautiful and remarkably easy addition to their home.

Are transoms outdated?

Old houses often had windows above doors, known as transom windows, installed to allow more light and fresh air. This architectural style, which fell out of favor in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, has come back into style. Transom windows, small or larger windows, are used to let natural light into a space due to their opaque or transparent glass. They can be installed as a set piece with a door or window or work well separately. This article covers the history, pros and cons, style options, and costs of transom windows, sourced from contractor estimates used by Angi.

Do transoms over doors need to be tempered?

Hazardous locations, such as battlefields and coal mines, require glass in and around shower and tub enclosures to have safety glazing to prevent injuries. Glass within a 24″ arc of a door is also required, except for windows above 60″ above the floor. Windows less than 18″ above the walking surface and more than 9 square feet in size need safety glazing. Windows in stairways need safety glass when the bottom is less than 36″ above the stairway or landing.

Non-window applications and locations considered hazardous include glass guards and railings, skylights, overhead roofs, or sloped walls. Safety glass is often used in conjunction with low-e glass for efficiency and protection. For more information on glass, contact the company or visit their shop and showroom for a hands-on look. A free, no-pressure estimate can be provided for a consultation on windows in your home.

What is the disadvantage of transom window?

Transom windows, traditionally used for ventilation, are now fixed and only provide natural light. They are located above a door frame and provide additional natural light into an entryway or room. Transom windows are named after the beam that separates the top of a door or window from the wall. Glass panes, also known as lites or lights, are part of these windows. A fanlight, a type of transom window, has a semi-circular shape and is also known as transom lights.

Do transom windows help with heat?

Transom windows, often found in historic homes or schools, are used to circulate indoor air and maintain room temperatures, known as pressure balancing. They can be used to keep bedroom doors closed in winter to prevent hot rooms. Modern solutions to pressure balancing include transfer grilles, jump ducts, and multiple air returns. Transfer grilles are rectangular holes in interior walls covered with grilles, allowing bedroom air to cycle back to the air return. These products limit light and sound transmission between rooms, making them an affordable and enjoyable weekend project.

What is the purpose of a transom over a door?

Transoms are architectural elements that are situated above doorways and serve the purpose of providing a visual separation between the door and the window above it. This allows for the admission of additional natural light into a residence. They are typically rectangular in shape and positioned horizontally, and may be divided into sections using trim. Interior door transoms, which are primarily ornamental, facilitate improved ventilation and are especially effective in central air conditioning homes, where there is less infiltration of outdoor air.

Are transoms part of the door frame?

Transom windows are typically manufactured with a door unit, including the frame, making installation easier. Doors by Decora custom designs, builds, and ships the entire unit, including the door, transom, sidelites, frame, and trim, for increased energy efficiency and better leak protection. They offer custom entryways and can design a beautiful transom and new custom wood door for your home, enhancing its appearance and attracting neighbors. Contact them for an estimate and inspiration for your home’s transom window.

Are transom windows outdated?

Transom windows, also known as transom lights, have been around since the 14th century and are rectangular or semicircular windows above a door or window. They are named after the horizontal beam they sit on, called a transom, which separates the top of a door or window from the wall above. Despite being more decorative than functional, transom windows have been making a comeback due to their historic charm.

They can make doors and windows feel larger and more grand, calling back to the regalness of older homes. All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors, but when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

What are the advantages of transom?

Transom windows, also known as transom lights, are a unique architectural feature that can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a home. These horizontal windows can be installed above any door or window, allowing natural light to stream into living spaces while providing ventilation and airflow. They come in various styles, including semicircular, rectangular, and custom designs, and can be installed as part of new construction or retrofitted into existing structures.

Transom windows offer both functional and decorative benefits, adding architectural interest and character to a home. They have been a popular architectural element for centuries, originally intended to improve ventilation and light distribution in buildings.

Can you add a transom to a door?

This video teaches how to install a transom sash over a door by matching its size to the door’s size. It covers the planning process, including understanding Transoms 101, choosing a starting point, determining necessary measurements, and exploring variations. The system automatically creates a customized set of planning steps and installation instructions for each installation scenario, which should take about 20 minutes. The video also covers the basics of measuring and planning for the installation, including the use of a system to automatically create a customized set of instructions.

Why do old houses have transom windows?

Transom windows were used before electricity and air conditioning in homes to provide natural light and airflow, while maintaining privacy. They were originally designed to open from the bottom up using metal hinges, and are now primarily decorative and do not open. Transom windows come in various shapes, colors, sizes, and materials, and can match any design aesthetic. Rectangular and semicircular are the most common shapes, with single or multipaned rectangular windows typically installed over doors and extending the doorframe’s length. Sidelights on exterior doors extend the unit’s width, while semicircular windows, also known as fanlights, are installed above both doors and windows.

Why do transoms rot?

Wet transoms have higher moisture content than natural timber levels, which are generally accepted in aged boat construction. These higher levels can be precursors to rot or residual rot that has already occurred in the transom. However, a wet transom does not always mean it is rotten. External signs of rot may include gelcoat cracking or “crazing” in engine wells, or visual movement when weight is applied to the engine. Wet transoms may also have rot in the reinforcing timber, which can lead to the loss of structural integrity and ability to handle the thrust and force of a mounted engine.

A damaged transom can also allow water to ingress and potentially cause the boat to sink. A transom is a critical part of hull integrity and construction, and without it, the boat may deteriorate to a dangerous point, potentially leading to the engine falling off.