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I need ideas on installing a transom window on Ext Door

3 years ago

Hello, I have a friend that I’ve done a bunch of work for interior that is wanting an exterior door installed with the transom. I’ve installed a lot of doors, and exterior doors as well. I’ve done some window replacements, so I get the idea of waterproofing the opening. And this situation, my friend took it upon themselves to go to a home improvement store and purchase a window for their front door based on my measurements I gave them of the opening without consulting me what type of window to get. Now they are stuck with a window, that I am unsure that I can properly flash and prevent water penetration.

I will have to support the ceiling on the interior once I remove the door so that I can raise the header and frame the opening for a door with the transom on top.

they purchased a buck frame window, that has no nail flange, so I’m in a little pickle on how to properly flash, tape, seal water from penetrating through the opening. Once the door and window are installed, I plan on trimming out the front door in a craftsman style trim. Much of that aluminum siding on the exterior will be cut straight up in around that window, and I will use J channel. I’ve contacted the manufacture of the window, JELDWEN V-2500 series picture window, To see if they have additional parts that they sell to create a flange for that window to install, similar how they would do a buck window for masonry opening. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated

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Comments (4)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I can't imagine how that's ever going to look good. The proportions are right the way they are. No way I'd have my name anywhere near this idea. Sometimes you've gotta tell them "No." and save them from themselves.

Maybe someone with that fancy Photoshoppin' business can make my point for me. Please.
Andrew thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
millworkman
3 years ago
A transom window is typically made and sourced from the same company as the door. A picture is not typically used for a transom as the stiles will not line up and it will definitely look out of place. Also not every house should have a transom over the door. That Jeldwen unit may be similar to a transom unit but that is a stand alone unit.
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Do you want a sash holding individual panes, or just a sheet of glass held in place by moulding? For the latter, one initially trims as for a cased opening, then applies a set of stops to one side, measures and procures the glass, then installs by applying another set of stop mouldings to retain the glass. Nail carefully! Casey
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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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Why not just paint that upper white part the same blue as the door? That will provide same or similar visual effect as your original door. Keep it simple. If you put a header on it, its going to clutter it up and draw attention to it and make the space look more awkward, not less.... besides being a total stylistic mismatch to the house and the door. I dont know if Id put anything in there at all - just blue to make it all look like a single, unified space. If you are replacing the sconce, get one thats simple, discrete, and doesnt draw attention to itself The door itself (is all the style statement you need to make. Its a simple, boxy brick house with a stylish blue door. Thats all you need - boom, done. Sometimes less is more.
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Unless the builder screwed up, this would be very cost prohibitive at this point as others have alluded to. I like the idea of using window treatments to correct the lines visually at this point from the interior, not sure how this all lays out on the exterior and if anything is needed there. Be careful about the tempered glass thing as well, that will vary by location, your situation doesn't require it everywhere. Ultimately your builder is on the hook for making sure that this is code compliant.
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Andrew
Original Author
3 years ago
Their goal is that they wanted to get Rid of that older style molding above the door. After looking at the siding, it was originally cut to meet up with the trim above the door. If they removed the trim, they would have to find a way to fill in that area. Hence, why they suggested a transom above their door. They saw others houses next door that did It. Its a cookie cutter neighborhood, So you would think homes were framed and built similar.

All i am asking for are ideas to possible make it work. At the end of the day, I way still walk away, but i'm stubborn sometimes.

the frame width of the window Ian the exact same wodth as the door, the jamb thickness is 2 3/4 and the door is 4 9/16. So there would need to be a return, maybe a drywall return on the interior or wood.

An idea that I came up with is to mull a PT 5/4 deck board on top of the door. A few beads of silicone in between. afterwards, I would prep window and screw it to the top of the deck board And door.

before I place brickmold on the door, I would stick on some butyl flashing tape to seal the joints, then install the brick molding which would then overlap the bottom of the window and caulk all joint Appropriately... just An idea.

I am an Interior framing carpenter, I normally frame walls, doorways, bulkheads, etc and install drywall. So I know the concepts, but a window in this situation is a little tricky. Just looking for problem solving skills, not smart ass comments. We all

get those every day

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