This is especially true for load-bearing walls, which may require opening up the entire wall section in order to change the framing and add additional structural support.Imperial Aluminium Windows and Doors is a leading supplier of Custom Aluminium windows & doors manufacturer and supplier based in Melbourne, Made in Australia. If you’re unfamiliar with standard house-framing practices, ask a reputable builder, inspector, or engineer for help choosing a transom window for an existing wall. When shopping for a transom window, read the installation specs carefully to determine the rough-in framing space required for that specific model. High ceilings are better suited to them than standard eight-foot ceilings, although some narrow window models may fit over doorways in standard interior partition (non-load bearing) walls. It’s crucial to ensure that a transom window will fit your home structurally. The final step is the installation of window trim. If it’s an exterior wall, the exterior cladding will then be replaced. Once the window is set, new drywall is installed on that section. While installation will vary-based on door and ceiling height, whether the wall is interior or exterior, and whether it bears weight-the standard process to add a transom window is to remove the drywall and/or exterior cladding above the door, and then remove a section of wall studs in order to reframe that section to accommodate the addition. Some high-end units come with moisture sensors that automatically close the window if it begins to rain. Insect and weather concerns make operable exterior models less popular nowadays, but if you’re set on one, consider a motorized window you’ll open and close via a wall-mounted control panel. Exterior transom windows often sell as part of an entire door system, which makes them simpler to install, and, because they’re manufactured as a single sealed unit, they offer increased weather protection.

If you live in a newer home and are looking to add this charming architectural detail, you can purchase stock transom windows to fit standard door widths or special-order them to fit custom sizes. While many are rectangular in shape, arched transom windows, known as fanlights, are popular for entryways and to dress up pass-through doorways in interior walls. They range in height from a few inches to a couple of feet, while width typically spans that of the door and any additional sidelights. Photo: Zillow Digs home in Brentwood, TN Today’s Transom Window Offeringsįor the most part, modern transom windows (also called transom lights) are decorative, meant to complement a home’s architectural style, but some still offer a ventilation option.

Windows on top of doors