Susan Bower, Bower Leet Design
“Historically a transom was used above a door to allow air to flow through a space when the door below is closed. Transom windows fit with any style. No matter if it’s modern, transitional or traditional, the extra light these higher windows allow is tremendous.”
Teddy Karl, The Great Cover-Up Design
“Transom windows are especially effective in rooms or homes with taller ceilings. Once you get to a nine or ten foot ceiling, the amount of blank space over a standard size window gets overwhelming, sometimes as much as three feet. A transom window over the standard double hung window will add 18-24 inches to the height of the window, creating a much taller window, filling some of the blank space and creating a nice vertical element to make the room feel larger. Add drapery side panels on a decorative rod, and you'll really accentuate the effect of the vertical line, all while letting in additional light.”
Dick Busch, Dick Busch Architects
“You definitely need a higher ceiling in order to use transom windows, and higher ceilings usually are associated with more expensive homes, so that is a consideration. Though transom windows can fit any style of home, contemporary style homes tend to just use bigger windows to get more light. Traditional style architecture uses smaller size windows, and this is where the transom is used to provide an improved look and more light.”
William D Cover, Architect LLC
“Arched transoms might be used on the main entrance of a Colonial mansion, a colonnade in an Italian villa or even in the primary room of a modern mountain lodge. I think we all intuitively understand the role a transom window plays both inside and outside the home, whether to declare importance, spark emotions or focus on a view.”
What do you think?
We’ve gathered the perspectives and knowledge of industry professionals to inform you on this topic, and now we want to know your opinion. Scan the code above to submit your “classic or craze” vote and check back here in the next issue for the results! Results revealed next issue.
April Results:
The majority of our readership has determined that Color Drenching is a classic! 70% said classic and 30% said craze.
