For 9' ceilings I've spec'ed 6' tall windows and taller all the time with no problems. For a 6' window the head is at 8' so that leaves about 2' from the sill to the floor. 8' tall exterior doors (French or sliding) has also posed no problems.

Can he show you the specifications from his window supplier showing they won’t warranty windows over a certain height?

Thanks for the suggestion of checking the window brands, We have to meet him in a few days, and I will ask him regarding the window warranty. I did not know if the window brand can impact the warranty. Are there any recommendations for window brands that we should stick to?

Initially, we were planning to do tall windows instead of windows + Transoms, and I suspect he gave us this reason to push us to use transoms instead

I suspect he gave us this reason to push us to use transoms instead

What does whoever designed the house say? The builder should not be making these design decisions. That'd be kinda like me (an architect), upon visiting the job site, all on my own sending the cabinet guys home because I thought they were getting in the way of the floor installers.

The configuration of the windows along with the height may be problematic. I do not know if the builder is qualified to make such an evaluation. Contact a local structural engineer to advise you; that will carry more weight than, "This person on Houzz told me . . . "

Architectrunnerguy, Mark

Thanks for suggestions, appreciate them. Those are good questions to ask the builder we meet him next time. I will also ask if the architect of the house has any inputs around it.

We have not met the architect as the builder contacts the architect, for clarifications unless there are big structural change requests. It is the floor plan he has used for a few houses in the neighborhood and not a custom build.

So far I was not sure if height if the window is a cosmetic change vs structural change, and thus causing such architectural considerations.

A window with a transom over it will have a much different look than a window with an equivalent (window plus transom) height. In my experience, a window plus transom costs more than a window only. I'd insist on see elevations before making any decision.

Best of luck with your project.

Thanks, Charles and Joseph

I would push him a bit and ask the opinion of Architect, and window specifications to support his argument.

"We have not met the architect as the builder contacts the architect"

Not an ideal relationship.

Has the builder discussed the 400% change orders that will need to happen in order to make any of what you want happen? Because you’re going to need a better brand of windows than those made out of plastic straws and visqueen that populate low end builder specifications.

How do you have a contract to build a house and you have not figured the sizing and brand of window? He's probably using a bare bones builder grade and knows you will have issues with windows that large in the brand you already bought.

We did 6’ windows on our main level with 8’ ceilings and that wasn’t an issue, so I don’t understand why 9’ would be a problem. With our builder, I’ve found after pushing back on some claims of “impossibility” that what he really means is price (very expensive) and his personal preference (doesn’t like doing it, time consuming, etc.). I‘d make sure I understand why he’s saying it’s not possible before taking him at his word.

Part of this is understanding the type of build you have. If this were a custom home then you would be working with an architect/designer and then builder. You and the architect/designer with the support of an engineer would be dictating the design. Your builder would comment but not decide things for you or say no to things that were designed and planned for in your custom space.

It sounds like you are building a home through a builder and have agree to a plan with them. As a result you have significantly less control. Check your contract and see what you actually can and can’t do.

In my experience, a window plus transom costs more than a window only.

Bingo! This is why he's pushing you to do the window with the transom. He makes more profit.

Our plan calls for 10 ft ceilings in the middle part of our house and our builder is installing 6 ft windows, no problem. We're using 64" (5'4") windows in the 9 ft ceiling areas.

I'm wondering if the builder had to eat some windows on another project and he's hoping to recoup his loss by using them in your house??

Its pointless to talk about 6ft windows without any other information. Are they double-hung, casement or something else? Are they paired? Tripled? Are they PVC or clad wood?

I've used Marvin double-hungs that were 7-8 tall and 3-9 wide.

We have six foot windows (double hung) with 9’ ceilings. they are about 3’ wide (the glass part) and some are paired (so the entire window is 6’+ wide but panes are smaller) Never heard any trouble about it. their headers are at 8’.

are you doing very wide panes or picture windows that size?

You won't know unless you ask.

It could be a concern over tempering within 18" of floor, or non standard sizes available in the window series specified for the home (some window series max at 42sf before increasing thickness and/or frame cross sections).

It could be as simple as 3'x5' single hung windows are stocked at the local warehouse vs 4-6 week lead time for 6' possibly tempered.

It could be a concern over budget, the builders or yours.

Windows are a real pane.

" Windows are a real pane. "

I agree. They should be hung for the offense :d

AS

You are correct, we have a builder build and have the option to make a few changes, which he has agreed to. We have already discussed and agreed upon some minor changes to the plan, and windows are sill Open :).

He is a reasonable builder, ready to accommodate a few requests and we would be ok to pay for any additional expenses. I know they are vinyl casement windows but need to get more detail. I just wanted to get an idea about our request and the correct questions to ask him. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions from many of you.

Hopefully this will be the only problem you will have in building this home and the rest will go . . . smooth . . . . . as . . . . . . . . glass.

I would be cautious about tall vinyl casements. You would be putting a lot of stress on the operating hardware and the sash. I have never specified vinyl windows and only specified casements for basement emergency escape windows.

We had a similar problem years ago with a house we bought from a builder within a subdivision (not a custom built home). The problem was the amount of "holes" in the envelope of the house that can be done within the existing authorization. We are having the same challenge now if we want to put in a window ourselves but we can apply for a building variation permit (or something like that). I assume that since we were buying a subdivision home, the builder didn't want to make any modifications requiring the building department approval.

As an aside, we totally regret not pushing at the time and 20 years later we are still considering putting a window there.

This builder either doesn't know what he'd doing, B.S.ing you, using the cheapest windows on earth, or is just a cranky S.O.B. Huge red flags the project will not go well. If it's not too late to work with someone else, you should.

Your builder knows the windows he is proposing and we don't. If he is unsure of using them at such a tall height you should take his reservations seriously.

I would upgrade from vinyl or use a different type of window.