Written by Nick Jurkowski
A transom can be a fantastic addition to any house's entrance. Not only does it look attractive and stately over any entrance (especially over a mahogany door), it gives the impression of a larger portal into your home. Transoms look especially appropriate over french doors, but any entrance door will do. Some even install them over important interior doors.
Not only a fine aesthetic choice, transoms allow a great deal of natural light to come into the house, and, when built to open (and combined with a ceiling fan), acts as effective, low-energy airconditioners. If you are thinking about replacing or installing one, here is a quick overview of how it is done.
It is much, much easier to install a transom if you either
a. already have a the door-framed cut to accommodate a transom, or
b. are already remodeling the door frame, which allows you to create the space necessary.
Ultimately, the transom does not bear much weight – it is helpful to think of the transom and door as a unit, separated by a small beam. Assuming that you have this beam in place (you will have done this while installing or remodeling the doorway itself), the actual creating of a pivoting transom is not too difficult with the right tools and a little knowhow.
- Naturally, you have to measure carefully. Use a ladder to measure all dimensions of the transom. Make a mark halfway down on either side – this is where the pinion holes will be bored to allow the transom to pivot.
- Using these measurements, you can now measure the frame for the glass of the transom. You must decide on how wide you want the frame to be, while keeping in mind the size of the glass window. It should be substantial, but not large enough that it overshadows or unbalances things. This measurement will be different for every door frame.
- You can use a router table to give decorative profiles to the frames, as well as put a groove in for the window. The best method is to create two sides that are mirror images of one another. Create a cope joint between the pieces, glue into place, and use bar clamps to dry.
- To increase the strength of the frame, drill holes in the ends of the transom, fill with wood glue, and insert wooden dowels (the same size as the holes). Cut off any extra dowel material, and sand so it is flush with the transom frame.
- Time to insert the pins that allow the transom window to pivot. Drill holes in the sides of the frame (refer to your initial measurements for where to place them), and insert spring pins.
- Now the fun part! Lay your glass in the groove that you've milled, and secure it using glazier's points. Use a number of points along each side – you can push them in with a painter's tool.
- Apply glazing where the glass meets the wood, and let dry. Your transom is ready to install.
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