We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Transom?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 13,364
Share

A transom is a horizontal crosspiece mounted above a door. Transoms are used to separate the framing of the door from the framing for windows, hinged flaps, lights, and other decorative accents which may be used over a door. People sometimes refer to such ornamentation as “transoms.” Many styles of architecture utilize transoms, and these architectural features can appear in a range of guises, ranging from ornately carved blocks of wood to simple horizontal beams.

One common reason to use a transom is to separate a door from a window which is hung above it. Transom windows, as they are known, may have a fan-like shape, which is traditional. Some are designed simply to provide light, while others may be made from stained or patterned glass to add ornamentation. In some cases, the house number or name of the building may be integrated into the transom window. In the interior of a structure, the window provides light while maintaining privacy, as the door can be left solid.

Devices over doors which open to provide ventilation are also separated from the door itself with a transom. These devices can be very useful in situations when people do not want to leave the door wide open, but do want to create a cross breeze inside a structure. They have also inspired the phrase “over the transom” to describe material which reaches someone by unconventional means, referencing the idea that the material has literally been thrown over the transom into someone's home or office.

A transom light or fan light on a door which admits people into a building can also be mounted with a transom. Lighting over doors is extremely common for aesthetics and safety in many regions of the world, with the light being used to help people inside a structure identify people at the door, to provide light for opening the door in the dark, and to deter criminals who might lurk around a dark doorway waiting for victims.

The framing of a door is independent from a transom or any other decorative features which may surround the door. Transoms do provide additional support, but they primarily serve as a point of transition for architectural features. Because they are not necessarily structural in nature, transoms can be made from a wide variety of materials, and they may include decorative features which could not be used on structural supports due to concerns about fragility.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By rugbygirl — On Sep 17, 2011

I've always enjoying writing and have thought about submitting pieces for publication. In researching that, I came across the expression "over the transom" that the article mentions.

In publishing, "over the transom" refers to unsolicited manuscripts that authors submit. Traditionally, you see, an editor's office would have a transom window above the door, often left open for air flow.

So when s/he left for the day and locked the office, you would sneak in, climb up on a chair or ladder, and toss your manuscript through the window!

I can't imagine that much ever for published that way. Surely the cleaning crew just swept them up!

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-a-transom.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.