Transom Windows: Why Use Them — and Where?
See How a Little Extra Glass Lets in Light, Air and Style
Hello boys and girls, it's time for a brief little architectural discussion. In the world of architecture, do y'all know what a transom is? There are actually two definitions: the very back of a nautical vessel where an engine gets mounted (so what? who cares? we wanna talk about houses, not battleships) and a small, detail window over a door or, sometimes, atop another window. There are many reasons for using transoms. Here's the rundown on this fun-to-say architectural term.
Transoms gained popularity after being used in spaces where an intricate shape or style door met another transverse architectural element. In this case, it's working as the conduit between the wide door and the eaves above.
Traditionally speaking, transoms are known for being fan-shaped. This Mediterranean style showcases it beautifully. It's great to look at and gives just a little more access to a million-dollar view.
Architects will tell you that a transom is most useful in separating the framing from a door from the framing of a window. I think this example pretty much nails that purpose from a modern perspective. The chunky wood beam above the glass doors is committed to the six separate Frenchies below, while the beams in the roof snugly hold the three asymmetrical transoms in place.
In many cases, transoms are strictly decorative. This Craftsman-esque home does't exactly need them, structurally. But they sure are pretty to look at, huh?
And then there are transoms used for adding light. As the day gets darker, this room benefits largely from the extra stream of sun that will beam across the space from above the door.
Pretty, pretty and purposeful, purposeful. Lead glass transoms are often used as ornamentation (see the two on the left. But add proper hardware and they become uber-functional, swiveling forward or backward for good air flow (as the one on the right demonstrates).
Here's a lead glass transom used pretty much only for ornamention; however, it's large enough and wide enough to add more light into the space.
In today's modern architecture, you're likely to come across ventilating transoms in spa-like bathrooms. Located all the way up near the ceiling, this top dog adds diffused light for function and beauty while also working hard to ventilate.
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