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Building a Home Windows Design Dilemma

6'8" or 8' header for windows

4 years ago

We will have a 9' ceiling that gradually slopes up to a 12' ceiling. I'm finding that if I have the header at 8' the windows the windows seem high unless I have them all at 5' tall. Does anyone love their windows with an 8' header height as appose to a 6'8"? I realize the window will cost a bit more if I don't want the windows sill to seem high from inside the house....most likely they'd end up being 5' high.

Featured Answer

Nidnay

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

If what you mean by “header” is the space from the top of the window to your ceiling, 8” feet would not be too tall as long as your sills don’t come up too high. What is the OVERALL height of the windows you want to install and how close do you want your sill to be to the floor? If you install them at 8 feet, but don’t adjust the overall height of the window, they will look awkward if the sill is too high up off the floor if that makes sense.

I love large, tall windows, so to me, the taller they are, the better. ...opens up the space, let’s more light in etc. But I also like to have my windows pretty much full length from floor to ceiling. My ceilings are 10 feet and my windows are 9 feet from floor to the top of the window which leaves one foot left above the window which is essentially the same look you would get with 9 foot ceilings and windows at 8 ft.

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Comments (7)

hemina
4 years ago
These are at 7’ with an 8’ ceiling.
hemina
4 years ago
Sorry...not sure why the pic didn’t post
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PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
4 years ago
Yes. With ceilings at 9' or 10', window and door heads at 8' make sense.

Another advantage is that the higher the window head, the more natural light falls deeper into the house.
Wren
Original Author
4 years ago
Good call. I think I am going to with a taller window and have them at 8' high. I believe the size I'm looking at is 5' high windows so the sill seems low enough.
Nidnay
4 years ago
That would put your sill at 3 feet off the floor, so you will have to decide if that’s the look you’re going for. I prefer my sill closer to the floor for larger windows and a more open feeling bit that’s my personal taste.
PRO
N Dobos Architecture
4 years ago
With 9’ ceilings, I would do door and window headers at 8‘

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