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Building a Home Windows living room

Should I add new transom windows above existing windows?

2 years ago

I have 3 windows in my living room that are dwarfed from the large amount of wall above the windows and because the living room ceiling is 2 feet higher than the kitchen ceiling (to the right). The living room windows are barely taller than the fireplace. Should I add 3 horizontal transom windows above existing living windows? Does anyone know (roughly) the labor cost to do this? (Carving out new spot for windows, install, materials, etc.) Pictures attached. Thanks!

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PRO

Windows on Washington Ltd

2 years ago

Nope.

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Comments (11)

Rachel Lee
2 years ago
What does the exterior look like!
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Who did not think this out before it was built? My wild guess on cost is $10,000.
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Doable, but it takes a little more than adding a 2x4. The least expensive way is to remove the old door and frame, add the necessary framing for a new door and window, install the new glass, and a prehung door assembly. The glass will need to be thicker than normal window glass since the door opening and closing will stress it. Probably 3/16" tempered glass. A good glass company should know. It could be done by removing the old door and frame and rework the old frame. But the labor involved would be far more than installing a new prehung.
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it is rather nice having a plain wall somewhere, to hang some great LARGE art. no gallery wall of dinky family photos, please. in the first photo, is the centered window over a fireplace? i'd almost skip that one if it has a roof above it outside.
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HU-187528210
2 years ago
I think it would look amazing from the interior perspective. Make sure it’ll look ok outside but I say go for it!!
PRO
PPF.
2 years ago
Ask the builder for pricing and how long the new windows will take to arrive.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Clarification: per window.
Susan Murin
2 years ago
I’d put up Roman shade (blackout lined) hung even with header, and unfurled to just below top window edge, to give illusion of taller windows. They should have just installed existing windows a foot higher. I’d check plans and make sure they were installed per plan...and that they used tempered glass given how low to floor they currently are.
MaryAliceB
2 years ago
You means, should you remove all of the interior and exterior cladding and trim, reframe the wall with a taller header, then field mull an expensive matching transom above. Then redo all of the interior and exterior cladding and trim?

Nope.
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
2 years ago
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.
tira_misu
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
You seem to have a covered porch behind the windows. Transom would offer a view on the porch ceiling. Not sure it would allow much more light in.
Christian Arispe
2 years ago
Distance between windows and ceiling?

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