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operable transom windows?

16 years ago

As part of a renovation project we are trying to select doors that will open from a living space to a rooftop deck. We want to maximize the view and could go with either french or sliding doors but we also want to have moderately secure ventilation. Our architect had the idea of putting operable transom windows above the doors, but we're having trouble finding them--we've found plenty of patio doors that have a FIXED transom option, but none that are operable. Do such things exist?

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Comments (2)

bevangel_i_h8_h0uzz
16 years ago
I posted here a few weeks back also looking for operable transom windows except that I want some to go over interior doors. After exhaustive searches of the internet, I've finally come to the conclusion that I'll have to have them custom made for me because the only operable transoms I could find were much larger taller than the 11" or 12" height I want. I think the minimum height was something like 22 inches. Plus, they came with double-pane, low-e glass, aluminum siding, etc... none of which I wanted for transoms that will be over interior doors.

I finally came across a web site [wewokawindowworks dot com] where I think I'll wind up getting them made. When I wrote, they responded quite quickly and their prices seem fairly reasonable. I've not actually purchased the windows b/c I'm still in the planning stages so I can't vouch for their work but you might try them.\\
JohnnieB
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, I did some searching and found operable transom windows on the Loewen website. I'm not entirely sure what the issue is for our architect--the particular doors she specified in the plans apparently don't have matching (operable) transoms (fixed are available) and according to her email, adding operable transoms above the patio doors would be "more complicated and costly" than she anticipated--maybe she thought they would need to be custom made. But if they're available with doors from another manufacturer I don't see the problem. The ceiling will be at about 8 1/2 feet so that should give us plenty of room, and I can't figure out why it would be especially costly. I'm going to talk to her to find out more precisely what the problem is and whether we can work around it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Loewen operable transom windows
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It is not quite clear from your post whether the French doors are interior doors or exterior doors. (i.e., interior doors from the foyer into the study? Or exterior doors that you can see from the entry by looking through the study.) If they are interior doors, the transom windows above would not have to be pre-made exterior grade windows. You could use standard height doors and have your builder frame and opening for a transom window above. Then the space for the transom can be trimmed out and a piece of glass or even a piece of stained glass artwork can inserted into the opening and held in place with shoe molding on both sides thus creating a non-operable transom window. We did that with our interior doors downstairs where the ceilings are 10' and it looks great. If the French doors are exterior doors, I don't think a pair of 8'x2' doors would tend to look too tall and skinny because, with French doors, you eye tends to see the two doors as a single unit. But, it might depend on what else is near the opening.
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My grade school had big tall windows where the top and bottom panes opened. The ceilings were high, so the top pane was operated by a pole with a little hook at the end that you used to grab the latch (which had a loop on it) and push the window open. Then you hooked it and pulled it back in to close and latch. That was the old style (main parts of building were from the 30's). Surely they make transom hardware like that? "Not possible for it to open if it's high" seems like a silly answer from an architect. I mean, you'd probably need a window pole if you don't want Victorian-style transom hardware with the long rod hanging down (I have those in my house - most of the interior doors have transoms). Also, you definitely want those upper transoms to open - the whole point of having them is because they open up and can seriously help with cooling down/ventilating the house. Bottoms ones won't give you that benefit (hot air rises and all that jazz).
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I would not spend the money to get customized Roman blinds for that window unless you really like the shape of the window and want to highlight it. Just get regular blinds and have them mounted on a board at the top of the window to compensate for the thickness of the trim. It will obscure the shape on the top, but will give you good light control. You could get a pretty print. You could do the same with Venetian blinds. I like Venetian blinds for the bedroom, because you can open the slats to get in light and people can't see into your room, whereas a Roman shade has to be opened wide to get in light. One last thought. I have never had a headboard for my bed. But I have had a quilt hung on the wall over my bed for years. (It is a piece of art.) I've never had a problem. So if you allow a couple of inches between the wall the the curtains, it might work for you.
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All windows in our house except for two are operable (or would be operable if not for all the paint and caulk gluing many of them shut - thanks previous owner). The two non-operable windows are replacements. The original windows in those spots would have been operable, even the giant one in the living room. Even the above-door transoms are technically operable (previous owner nailed/painted shut most of them). They have those cool iron mechanisms that let you pull the transom open without needing a ladder. All gummed up with paint currently. That'll be a project. I couldn't imagine living in a place where I couldn't open the windows whenever I felt like it. I grew up in Northern California, so I'm used to having windows open pretty much all the time and the interior being around the same temp as outside, and that might be why I prefer an open window and fan to AC on a hot day. I also have some olfactory migraine triggers, so being able to air the house out is doubly important.
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