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9' ceilings - to squished with transoms or 8' doors?

13 years ago

hi everyone, I posted this question on the building forum, but I know some of you here have an excellent eye for things, so I hope you can help me!

I really am so torn about window and doors.. it is making my head spin!

My concern is that with the transoms (or 8' doors) it will look squished at the top. I'm sure using 10' ceilings would have a nicer look, but we are sticking with 9' ceilings.

Here are some 3D images from my program, please give me some feedback! I do desire the home to have a cottage feel..

9' ceilings with standard door/transom

9' ceilings with 7' doors

9' ceilings with 8' doors

Featured Answer

palimpsest

13 years ago

hmmm.

If you look at classical architecture, they often left quite a bit of space above (most of) the doors, and this was how you registered the lofty height of the ceiling.

The buildings I live in (c.1840) have the following proportions as you ascend the storys of the building.

14' ceiling, 8' doors (However the large parlor-connecting pocket doors and windows are 11' high)

12' ceilings and 8' major entry doors and 6'8" secondary and closet doors.

10' ceiling and 7' major entry doors and 6'8" secondary and closet doors

8'ceiling and 6'8" for all doors.

I think if you stretch the doors to close the gap between the door header and the ceiling, you lose the visual cues of the higher ceiling, particularly when the difference is just a foot. (8--->9). Transoms would look nice over the french doors, but I would probably go conventional height with other doors. It also creates a rhythm of not having everything aligned, which I find a bit static.

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Comments (8)

graywings123
13 years ago
I don't think it looks squished.
laxsupermom
13 years ago
I like the look of the 7' door with transoms. The proportions of the 8'doors looks stretched out and weirdly squished at the top to my eye. The 7' door without transoms looks too short and makes the cabinet look out of place.
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User
13 years ago
To me it does look a bit squishy and takes away from the look of a higher ceiling. I really wanted transoms over our doors too, so we did opt for 10 foot ceilings. Unlike pal, I like the look of doors and windows being aligned.
Lyban zone 4
13 years ago
I like your first set of photos the best. To my eye it does not look too squished but even if it was a bit I think having the transoms would be worth it. They are such a nice addition and I think that is what you would notice.
tinker_2006
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the feedback everyone! 2 of you say yes to the transoms, and no to the plain 7 foot doors..?

8' foot doors are the exact height as the standard 6'8 door with transoms, but it does have a 'pulled up' feeling to me as well.

palimpsest, the information you posted is helpful - and interesting! I should have mentioned, I planned all the other interior doors to be standard 6'8" or 7.. not much difference.

rose, I do actually like a little move space between the ceiling and top of the windows, but without going to 10' ceilings (which I'm 100% positive I don't want) I'm not sure I'll be able to get that space.. without it looking odd with 7' doors without transoms.

More thought welcome! :)
krycek1984
13 years ago
It's a bit "squishy". 8' doorways or doors would generally be best in a 10 or 11' ceiling, especially an 11' ceilling. We have traditional door heights with our 10' ceilings and it looks OK. 8' doors really are not meant for 9' ceilings. There should be a decent amount of space between the ceiling and the top of the moulding for the door.

Why are you positive you don't want 10' ceilings?
annzgw
13 years ago
Well, I'm partial to the transoms since I have them over all my windows and exterior doors, but I also have 10' ceiling. Since a few of my transoms have a curved top they come fairly close to the ceiling, which leads me to think you don't need a large amt of space between the ceiling and the top of the transom for them to look 'right'.

I find the transoms in your pics make the walls seem taller since it draws my eye upward, whereas the 7' doors seem to pull my view downward to the shorter windows/doors. So, to answer your question: no, I don't think they look squished. :~)

BTW, I think the ceiling beam in the first pic is affecting the true visual of the windows/doors.

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