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The High Life: Clerestory Windows
Bring natural light into your home while adding a beautiful architectural feature
Clerestory windows (pronounced clear-story) are generally defined as windows above eye level. Historically, the word referred to the upper level of a church or cathedral, where they were mainstays of Romanesque and Gothic churches. Now, as in history, their purpose is to bring light and/or fresh air inside – to essentially eliminate the need for electric light during the day. For those of us in urban areas, they are particularly helpful to bring in light without sacrificing privacy, if installed higher than surrounding roofs. While shapes may vary (quatrefoils, circles, ovals and triangles have all been employed), we most commonly see clerestory windows as rectangles.
Quick tips:
Quick tips:
- Installing clerestory windows on the north side of a home, where they won't be exposed to the highest level of direct sunlight, will keep cooling bills down for those in warm climates.
- In the winter, south-facing clerestory windows invite heat in from the sun. In the summer, trees and window shades can help minimize excessive heat gain.
- If you're installing clerestory windows on the south side of a home, include a low-emissivity coating to reduce heat loss.
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| High ceilings with two levels of windows maximize light. This dramatic space is warmed by the wooden wall. I particularly like the use of the clerestory picture window over the bed, which creates a framed picture of nature. |
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Light, views and natural colors help bring the outdoors into this little bathroom. The clerestory window lets light filter into this private space during the day, but also invites moonlight at night.
by Design By Lisa
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Placing clerestory windows above the cabinets in this small kitchen creates a nice display area, accommodates additional storage and allows sunlight to pour in. The break between cabinets and windows maintains a cozy feel while allowing room for the dramatic effect.
Tip: Installing clerestory windows between interior rooms brings more light into a space that may be cut off from the sun.
Tip: Installing clerestory windows between interior rooms brings more light into a space that may be cut off from the sun.
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| These clerestory windows tie in well with the architecture: The mullions line up with the beams, resulting in a modern look that references the Gothic designs from which it descended. Although separated by a floating storage unit, the windows tie two spaces together, making the whole room feel both intimate and expansive. |
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| A dropped ceiling – which defines the office area but gives presence and importance to the living space – makes the impact of clerestory windows even more dramatic. |
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| If you have a wall that wasn't originally intended to have windows (perhaps there's an unsavory view beyond?), clerestory windows may be the answer to your light-less woes. |
by Alterstudio
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Strategically placed built-ins could have resulted in a dark kitchen, but clerestory windows were cleverly installed above this feature wall.
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| Any space can look and feel like an open, airy loft with the addition of clerestory windows. |
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Don't get bogged down by the rectangle. Check out this unexpected set of clerestory windows in funky shapes. This bedroom design filters architecturally historic elements through a modern lens.
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| This hall's generous height is detailed from floor to ceiling; Exposed concrete walls create interest with color and texture while clerestory windows infuse the space with light and warmth, thanks to their wood casings. |
| An extra-high ceiling adds volume in this family room, while clerestory windows provide extra natural light without compromising the storage/decorative display benefits of the media wall. |
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The windows in this home were clearly placed to take advantage of views of a nearby mountain. While many clerestory windows are fixed, there are operable options, which promote cross-ventilation.
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| Rich-toned woods, textures and clerestory windows create a sense of style appropriate to this home's architecture. More: Bathe in the Light of Clerestory Windows Skinny Windows: Exclamation Points of Light Expand Your View With Picture Windows |
Ideabook updated on Dec. 12, 2011.
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hennef7: Thanks for sharing your photos! It's so nice to snag natural light where you can! Well done!
HAYTHAM SAMIR ARCHITECT-ALEX EGYPT 20-12-2011