Replies

1. 
   Mongo_ | Jan 04, 2002 10:36pm | #1

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   There are mill shops that make single-unit door/transom units, but its much thriftier and less antagonizing to build them yourself. It's very easy to run the trim together for a nice looking install.

   Fixed are obviously more simplistic than moveable, but still, I find it worthwhile to make both myself.

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Jan 04, 2002 10:52pm | #2

   *I made some transoms last year. They were non-opening, which saves a b lotof grief, particularly as these were over french doors. They worked out terrific. Basically a box made out of the same material as the door jamb; a 2x6 was bonded to the top of the door jamb to make it rigid and then the box just sits on the 2x6; figuring out the spacing between the box and the jamb is a critical part of the exercise and is determined by the trim to be used, in this case the trim was Victorian and corner blocks were used, a smaller block was used as a junction point for the vertical casing and the horrizontal molding - if you're using colonial trim, then work out how you want this junction to look before you build anything; "spear-pointing" the horrizontal works if you have room for two widths of casing joined thick-to-thick in the horizontal, everything else is a fudge. The transom box was secured to the rough opening using the same wedges/shims as were used on the door-jamb. The glass was custom cut and etched, it was offset in the transom box to match the shawdow lines on the doors. A fairly dainty trim was glued/pinned into the box, then the glass was seated to it in a bed of glazier's putty and held in place with points; then the retaining trim was added using just a few dabs of hot-melt glue and a couple of pins to keep it in place (it was glued up as a picture frame on the floor before it was installed - if you think think this may be a troublesome slide-in, glue-up the top and two sides on the floor and put the bottom of the frame, which will be hard to see later, in separately). I must have left out something.

1. 
   Cloud_Hidden | Jan 04, 2002 11:00pm | #3

   *I concur with the "make-your-own" crowd. I bought some through the local lumber yard, and was surprised how cheap they looked for how much they cost. Essentially a box tacked onto the door frame. I could have easily done that cheesy myself.

1. 
   P._Sheldon | Jan 05, 2002 03:18am | #4

   *Thanks for the advice. They don't seem like they would be hard to make, just a little time consuming to do all the first floor doors. If they're that cheap looking when you buy them, I'll definitly have them made in the shop.

1. 
   Michael_Rimoldi | Jan 05, 2002 07:14am | #5

   *And check your local codes...If its above a door it may have to be tempered glass?Mike

2. 
   Rich_Watkins | Jan 05, 2002 06:23pm | #6

   *I made some a few years back for a historic redo. The frames were easy to build as mentioned above and I used standard hardware for basement windows (mounted upside down) for the hinges and closure latch so they could be opened. A brass cabinet slide rod and hardware was used to adjust the opening. My local paint store cut tempered glass at a reasonable price.

3. 
   Jon_Byrd | Jan 07, 2002 08:19am | #7

   *I'm in the process of installing transoms in my own 70 year old home with 9' ceilings. I have a post over in knots and got some good responses, even diagrams on how to retrofit. I'm building them myself as they are hard to find or are priced outrageous. I have victorian type trim, beaded panels with rosettes in the corners. Two of these windows will be non load bearing walls, so I'll just cut out a hole above the door and install it as one unit with it's box and the trim will bridge the gap between it and the door jamb. The others might require some stud work. Mine are going to open. Lee Valley offers some brass finish catches. Do any of you have any photos of the work you have done with transoms? Thanks.Jon

2. 
   P._Sheldon | Jan 07, 2002 08:19am | #8

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   I'm designing a home for a couple who want transoms over all there first floor interior doors. Are there manufacturer's who make transoms for this or should I just plan on making the frames and get glass from local glass manufacturer. Has anyone had experience with this?