Transom Window Types

Stained Glass

• Stained-glass transom windows add elegance and style to an entryway. Many Victorian homes used stained glass in the transom window as a design element. Modern transom windows also are available in stained-glass patterns. Many interior transom windows are decorated with stained glass to complement the style of the home. These transom windows are often above interior rooms such as home offices, dens and family rooms. Stained glass provides privacy and adds character to a room or entryway.

Fixed-Style Windows

• Fixed-style transom windows do not open. They are fixed in place and sealed to help insulate the room while letting in natural light. Fixed transom windows are often used in combination with side windows or as accent windows. They were a common architectural design element in Craftsman-style homes in the early 1900s, according to the Architectural Style Guide of Scott John Kozak Architects. They may be made in long, rectangular windows divided into small squares and used above front windows, bedroom windows and over garage doors.

Opening Style

• Hinged transom windows tilt open, allowing fresh air into a room. The hinges are placed so the window opens at the top. Hinged transom windows improve ventilation and help reduce cooling costs by allowing breezes to circulate through the home.

Shapes

• Transom windows come in all shapes and sizes. They can be custom-made to fit any type of entryway or window. Transom windows are typically rectangular, but many modern homes use fan-shaped transom windows, called fanlights, above entryway doors and bedroom windows as a design element.