Interior vs Exterior Transom Windows: Design & Function

Understanding Transom Windows

For homeowners who want to add architectural style to their home without the need of costly renovations, transom windows are a practical option. As practical upgrades for any room, transom windows provide both aesthetic beauty and functional benefits. This makes them an attractive choice for both new home builds and existing home remodels.

What is a Transom Window?

The name "transom" comes from the horizontal bar that holds the weight of the wall across the top of the opening. While most transoms are rectangular and horizontally elongated in appearance, you can also find circular, arched and many other decorative shapes.

While location will define transom windows more than the shape of the window itself, any small window located above a door or a larger window is considered a transom window. There are essentially two different styles of transom windows:

• Stationary (fixed) – Permanent closure, designed for light and decoration
• Operable – Able to be opened and closed for air flow and light control

When deciding which type of transom windows best suit your needs it will depend on what you need the transom windows for. Stationary transom windows will work well if you simply want a decorative addition or if you have a transom window in a hard to reach area. Operable transom windows enhance indoor air quality by allowing for better cross-ventilation.

Brief History and Evolution

Historically, transom windows have been in use since the 14th century. Before the advent of air conditioning, they served a practical purpose by allowing warm air to escape while doors and main windows remained locked, helping maintain building security.

The primary function of today’s transom windows is very different from their original purpose. In addition to letting in natural light, these windows give architects and designers a way to create visual interest in a room or space that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Why They're Making a Comeback

Transom windows are one way to address many modern homeowner design issues. Because they add architectural interest without changing major structural elements, transoms offer an easy and cost-effective way to upgrade a property.

The advantages of transom windows include:

• Enhancing natural light — useful in areas where full-size windows are impractical
   
• Providing privacy with illumination — their high placement allows light in while maintaining discretion
   
• Controlling airflow — interior operable transoms allow air to circulate even when exterior doors are closed

Compared to many costly architectural renovations, installing transom windows is an economical alternative. Fixed transoms require simpler installation than operable ones, yet both types add visual appeal and character to your home.

Installing transoms above exterior doors creates dramatic entryways. Adding transoms to interior walls gives the illusion of higher ceilings and draws the eye upward, making a space feel larger, especially helpful in homes with 8-foot ceilings.

Transom windows also work well in open-concept homes, where they help visually separate rooms while still keeping the space open and functional.

Transom Windows: Types and Installation Areas

The benefits of transom windows depend largely on whether you choose a fixed or operable design. While both styles flood a room with natural light and elevate its architectural character, operable models also offer an improved airflow. By selecting the right placement and opening mechanism, you can balance pure aesthetic appeal with practical climate control for your home.

Fixed vs Operable Transom Windows

Fixed models serve as architectural highlights, sealing the opening to maximize natural illumination and visual depth. Instead, movable transoms offer a more dynamic solution, featuring adjustable slats that allow residents to regulate sunlight and internal ventilation.

Operable transom windows use either a hinged swing or a tilt mechanism to provide controlled ventilation. Before modern air-conditioning systems, natural ventilation was essential because it allowed cooler air to move through the home and improve comfort.

Best for fixed: Decorative applications or hard-to-reach locations where maintenance access is limited.

Best for operable: Bathrooms, kitchens, or any space where additional ventilation would improve comfort.

Common Forms And Materials of Transom Windows

There are a number of forms that transom windows can be designed into, and they can all work well depending on the style of the building they are used in. The defining characteristic of transom windows is not so much how they are shaped as it is the location they occupy above doors or other windows.

Popular transom window shapes:

• Rectangular - A classic design that will fit in with most house designs
• Semi-circular - An elegant design that will give a classical look to your home
• Fanlight - A curved design with a fan-shaped pattern, often seen in Georgian and Federal-style houses

Glass options affect both appearance and functionality:

• Clear glass - Optimize light transmission
• Frosted glass - Privacy while still letting in light
• Stained glass - Add color and visual interest through stained glass patterns
• Leaded glass - Traditional ornate appearance suitable for older homes.

Interior Transom Window Placement

One of the main advantages of an interior transom window is to provide additional lighting to darker areas of the house without loss of privacy. Interior transom windows will do this best when placed in spaces where installing standard windows would compromise either privacy or security.

Some good locations for placing interior transom windows include:

• Above bathroom doors for light without sacrificing privacy
• Along hallways to brighten typically dark corridors
• Between rooms to allow light transfer while maintaining separation
• Above interior doorways for architectural interest

Interior transom windows that operate offer a unique benefit compared to other types of windows. This operating ability allows for airflow between two rooms while keeping doors closed. This benefit allows pets or children to stay in specific areas of the house while still allowing airflow. The operable interior transom windows create a visual effect that makes a room appear larger than it actually is.

Exterior Transom Window Placement

A great way to enhance curb appeal while creating a functional benefit is to install an exterior transom window. Typically installed above a front door, an exterior transom window creates an impressive entrance to your home.

Exterior doors with a transom window create a dual purpose - to illuminate what was previously a dark entryway and to create a distinctive look to your home's facade.

Where to place exterior transom windows:

• Above front entry doors for maximum curb appeal impact
• Over garage doors to add interest to plain surfaces
• Paired with sidelights for elegant, coordinated entrances
• Above large window assemblies to increase light without compromising wall space

Due to their location high above doorway openings, exterior transom windows require more weatherproofing and security measures than interior transom windows. Since there is usually very little concern about security issues due to the high placement of these windows, the primary consideration is the type of lock to use with an exterior transom window.

Benefits of Interior Transom Windows

An interior transom window can be used to create a visual connection between adjacent rooms while providing separate functional spaces. Besides its aesthetic appeal, an interior transom window has additional uses; it also helps resolve many common issues with residential space planning.

Improved Airflow Between Rooms

One of the primary uses for an interior transom window is to help solve airflow circulation problems that many homeowners experience. An operable transom window allows air to move from one room to another while keeping doors closed. This is particularly helpful for keeping pets or children in specific parts of the house while maintaining ventilation.

Transom windows draw warm air up in homes to create natural convection, improving comfort throughout the house. Before the advent of modern air conditioning, transom windows were an essential element in circulating warm air out of a home to maintain security.

Privacy with Natural Light

Interior transom windows balance privacy concerns and natural light requirements; by placing them above eye level, they minimize sightlines while allowing light to enter — suitable for many of the same applications as typical windows that may infringe on modesty.

Interior transom windows work particularly well in:

• Bathrooms where privacy is essential, but natural light is desirable
• Bedrooms adjacent to common areas
• Home office spaces that need light without visual distractions

Additionally, frosted glass creates an even softer, more diffused source of light, which enhances privacy in applications such as a shower enclosure or a bathroom door where you want some light while still maintaining privacy.

Architectural Interest in Darker Spaces

Interior transoms provide character for areas of a home that lack individuality. A hallway is usually one of the darker parts of the home; interior transoms are ideal for these spaces as they allow natural light to enter a room without requiring an exterior wall.

Interior transoms create a feeling of visual expansion, making ceilings appear taller and rooms feel larger than they actually are. They can be designed in a wide variety of ways, with styles ranging from clear glass for maximum light transmission to decorative stained glass that provides a colorful pattern of light.

Interior transoms can be used as an architectural focal point, drawing the eye upward and providing visual interest to an ordinary doorway. This takes a functional element and turns it into an artistic feature that enhances the overall character of your home.

Benefits of Exterior Transom Windows

Exterior transom windows are among the many perks that will transform your home's curb appeal & increase its overall value. The exterior transom window is a functional architectural element that enhances your home's curb appeal.

Curb Appeal and First Impressions

The exterior transom window instantly elevates your home's architectural style and distinguishes it from the surrounding houses. The semicircular and rectangular shapes over the entry door add to the finished look of your house's exterior and indicate that you pay attention to the details. 

Many real estate agents feel that exterior transom windows are a preferred feature that will positively affect potential buyer impressions when showing your home for the first time. They provide a visual focal point that draws attention to your home's entryway, creating a lasting impression with potential buyers.

Natural Light in Entryways

Interior transoms provide character for those areas of a home that lack individuality. A hallway is usually one of the darker parts of the home, and interior transoms are ideal for hallways as they allow for natural light to enter into a room without the need for an exterior wall.

They create a feeling of visual expansion and make ceilings appear taller than they actually are. They also make rooms feel larger than they are. Interior transoms can be designed in a wide variety of ways, with designs ranging from clear glass that allows for maximum light transmission to decorative stained glass that provides a colorful pattern of light in the space.

These windows can also be used as an architectural focal point, drawing the eye up and providing visual interest where there was none before with an ordinary doorway. It takes a functional element and turns it into an artistic feature that enhances the overall character of your home.

Pairing with Exterior Doors

Transom windows paired with exterior doorways produce a unified architectural expression. The combination works very well on the front of homes, creating an impressive, visually coherent entrance.

A professional is required to install the windows because they must be installed in a manner that provides proper weatherproofing and security. Transom windows can be either non-operable (for aesthetic appeal only) or operable (for airflow as well as visual appeal). The type of glass you use, whether clear, frosted, or decorative, will allow you to personalize your entrance while keeping the architecture intact.

Interior vs Exterior: Which Adds More Value?

Ultimately, it is your personal needs and goals, as well as your timeframe, that will decide whether an exterior transom window or an interior transom window is best for you. Depending on whether you are focusing on the short term (i.e., daily comfort) or the long term (i.e., resale), each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The right decision for you will be based on your budget, how much you like to do yourself vs. call someone else, and what you envision for your home over time.

Interior vs Exterior Transom Windows

Resale Value Impact

In terms of resale, real estate professionals agree that exterior transom windows provide a greater return on your initial investment than interior transom windows. When home buyers first arrive at your home, exterior transom windows are one of the first things they see, and their overall impression of your home will be greatly influenced by this. In highly competitive housing markets, exterior doors equipped with transom windows can really make your property stand out.

In terms of visual impact alone, home buyers often comment on exterior transom windows before ever entering your home. This factor alone may make exterior transom windows an excellent option if you anticipate selling your home in the near future.

Energy Efficiency and Maintenance

Interior transom windows have little impact on a home's overall energy costs, as they primarily serve as an alternative window or skylight to provide natural daylight into a room. Exterior transom windows can affect your home's thermal performance, depending on the quality of installation and the type of glass used.

Exterior transom windows generally require much more upkeep than interior versions. Exterior transom windows require periodic weatherproofing and cleaning, whereas interior transom windows are not exposed to the elements. In addition to being cleaned and weatherproofed, exterior transom windows that open and close will require proper locking devices to ensure secure operation.

Making Your Decision

Your decision on whether to use interior or exterior transom windows should be based on your timeline. If you want to increase your curb appeal and maximize your potential return on investment, then exterior transom windows may be the best choice. On the other hand, if you want to create functional daylighting in a room each day at a lower cost, then interior transom windows may be the way to go.

When making your final decision, consider what your initial investment will ultimately benefit you in terms of long-term savings.

Conclusion

The decision to install an interior or exterior transom window depends on what is most important to you and how long you anticipate living in your home. Typically, exterior transom windows are considered to offer the best return at resale because of the aesthetic appeal they add to the exterior of the house. Therefore, these homes will stand out in highly competitive markets.

On the other hand, interior transom windows have several advantages, including increased airflow between two adjacent spaces, more evenly distributed lighting throughout the space, and added architectural interest in hallways and bathroom areas. Additionally, they cost less to maintain because they are protected from the elements.

When making this determination, consider your time horizon. If you expect to sell your home within a few years, installing an exterior transom window could yield the greatest ROI. However, if you intend to live in your home for many years, the increased comfort you derive from having interior transom windows installed may ultimately be worth more to you in terms of quality of life.

Regardless of whether you decide to install an interior or exterior transom window, proper installation will maximize its value. A properly installed, sealed, and glazed transom window will deliver much better long-term value than one that is not. Both interior and exterior transom windows are relatively inexpensive upgrades that offer a great deal of architectural value for the price.

Ultimately, make sure you select a style and location that meet your needs and are consistent with your budget and the overall architecture of your home.