I can not find the term for this anywhere. I have recently looked into a house that appears to have doors inside that have windows above them with cranks to open them, what are these called and what was the purpose of this type of door?
2007-09-28 09:52:59 · 6 answers · asked by Amy R 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
They're called "transom windows" In the days before ductwork in heating systems to various rooms, it allowed the house central furnace to blow air into the house and if the doors were closed for privacy or sleeping, the heat could still get into the rooms as heat rises and stays close to the ceiling until it cools and falls down. Even older homes or buildings with no furnace but a wood stove, it worked on the same principle and also let the heat out in summertime. You'll see lots of homes/buildings like that in old movies from the 30's or 40's and homes built in the 1800 to mid 1900.
2007-09-28 10:35:09 · answer #1 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TRANSOMS are sashes mounted above doors that would allow air circulation yet maintain privacy. Today they are used mostly for light.
Also:
Large windows that are like doors are called CREMONES. From the Italian. Very popular in the villas in Italy. The hardware was often surface mounted and was called cremone bolts.
2007-09-28 11:44:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the windows above the doors are called transoms. the purpose was air circulation; to let soot and smoke out and not let a lot of cold air in
2007-09-28 10:04:04 · answer #3 · answered by Ruth C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes i love Victorian homes, and having a ghost might be fun
2016-05-21 00:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are called transoms or transom lights .
They were opened & closed to provide ventillation.
Nice.
Best regards
2007-09-30 14:06:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those answers are correct. It was a very good solution to several problems.
2007-09-28 10:40:31 · answer #6 · answered by DIYpro 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋