A transom is a window placed above the horizontal top frame of a door or window. Historically, when ceilings were higher and heating and cooling systems were more rudimentary, transom windows were an integral part of a home's ventilation. They're mostly decorative now and often fixed in place, although they can be installed so they will open with a casement hinge.

Hoedemaker Pfeiffer

A room with tall ceilings can easily handle an oversize transom window, which will let in light and keep the open feel of the room.

Logan's Hammer Building & Renovation

A leaded glass transom window is a traditional and decorative touch above this wide opening.

Whitten Architects

Casement hinges allow these transom windows to open for ventilation.

Lennar Utah

A transom window with beaded glass sits atop an open doorway.

Webber + Studio, Architects

These fixed transom windows are highly decorative but won't open.

Abelow Sherman Architects LLC

A stained glass transom window lines up visually with the frieze above the adjoining doorway for a balanced look.

Gaulhofer Windows

Because these windows are separated by a header and not the window frame, they would be called clerestory, not transom, windows.

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