Thanks for your feedback. No, we just need to make sure our window capping matches the exterior paint color. The difference without the transom would just be one big window without that line running across the top 1/4 of the window. Do you think that would visually make a big difference?

I think by removing the transom and making it one large window you might enjoy that better. You would be amazed at how much larger it might make the room seam just by removing the horizontal of the transom window.

I agree with the previous comment that adding an obscure glass it might look strange due to the others above it not having the same. But you could get away with removing the transom all together.

Hmm...thanks. That's what the window company said too -- that it would make the room look bigger and let even more light in. We actually emailed them about something more decorative for the transom and they advised against it. So now we really just need to decide if we keep or remove the transom.

So if you go with no transom (which would be nice), you will have 1 without and 2 with. Don't think it would look good from the outside, it will look as tho you got a new window but couldn't get one to match the other 2. So for this reason only, I would go with transom. It's high enough the line doesn't block your view (yes/no).

I know this is always a problem for my husband who is tall. The line across the two windows sometimes is right in his site line.

I don't think it blocks our view - I'm 5'6" and my husband is 5'9" :). I think the window starts about 2 or 3
feet from the floor, and the line is 5' from there (we have 10'
ceilings). But I think we mostly look out the window from a seated position anyway...so not a problem. Thanks...it's been helpful hashing this out!

Since you're behind the tree, you don't really have a view that would be enhanced by the lack of a transom. I'd prefer keeping the facade of the building uniform. You might get complaints from the other residents if you make their building look cheap, and I think the lack of a transom might do that to an historic structure. However, I do encourage you to invest in high UV insulated glass for either installation.

I actually think we have the best view in the building (tree vs. neighbors across the street)! But yes, you are right that the view won't be affected. After mulling it over here and offline, we have decided to keep the transom. We are getting low-e 366 glass for both windows.

Good idea. Changing the look on the outside of an old historic building is not a good idea.

FWIW, these are not original windows so who knows what those looked like. If the other un-touched greystones in the neighborhood are any indication, I'm sure they were beautiful, with some stained glass features. And also completely inefficient. The entire building was gutted in the early 2000's, including all the windows, etc. Kind of sad imo, but I have a more modern design aesthetic with an appreciation for history, so it works for me :).

I agree, keeping it will keep the look of the building from the outside - intact.