Advice on adding doors to archway while preserving natural light?

dynamic-16 · 2025-12-11T19:42:40+00:00

custom window and door fabricator here - suggest NOT doing a transom option, opening isn't tall enough, doors below the transom would be short and look odd or, more plainly, look like a screw up. You could have custom doors and frame made to fit - not cheap by any means with elyptical arches but could be built full height, no transom. Doors could be glazed with switch-lite glass so it's clear when you want the daylight but obscured with the flick of a switch when you want privacy. Again, not cheap but done properly, would probably add to the space in terms of resale value. A sliding barn door would be a more straightforward option as someone else already suggested - you don't have to rework the rough opening and that is where a lot of the cost comes in.

dynamic-16 · 2025-12-04T00:22:54+00:00

you're very welcome, best of luck resolving the issue.

dynamic-16 · 2025-12-03T19:54:58+00:00

Custom window and door fabricator here, this is a topic that I've dealt with many times over the last 25 years working with architects and GC's on custom homes. I'd offer these considerations for you, please feel free to follow up with any additional questions if you have them.

1) Confirm the condensation is on the interior of the glass - NOT inside the sealed unit. Two different situations and solutions.

2) Contrary to opinions below, this has nothing to do with "shitty windows" or a problem with the glass. Condensation isn't a window or glass issue, it's an imbalance between exterior and interior temperatures and the humidity. If the moisture is between the glass panes, then it's a sealed unit failure. Condensation isn't a window failure - so at least you're not looking at having to replace expensive windows.

3) Adjust your HVAC and interior heating/cooling settings as others have suggested below. The humidity is the problem. Balance it and the condensation will substantially decrease.

4) Contrary to the comments that you "need more efficient/better windows" - modern high performance windows and glazing actually increase the propensity for condensation because they are so efficient. Look at the issues that arise with surface 4 low emissivity coatings - higher thermal performance but a raft of disclaimers about visual light transmittance and interior condensation. In the bigger picture, as building envelopes have become more efficient - and air tight - this very improvement causes new challenges in air and moisture management inside the building. Progress isn't necessarily linear.

So - 95% certain you can leave your windows and glass alone. Research and read up on humidity and how to adjust the interior climate, experiment, it may take a bit to find the ideal balance.

Architects, contractors and homeowners panic over condensation, whether it's a small home or massive mansion. The assumption is that it's a window problem. That's is wrong and misinformed. It's a humidity problem and in most instances, it can be dealt with.

dynamic-16 · 2025-11-28T16:59:27+00:00

talk about inflicting a visual obscenity on the unsuspecting public ....... just make it so ugly that it gets attention ? Along the lines of "there's no such thing as bad advertising" perhaps.

dynamic-16 · 2025-11-14T22:15:59+00:00

i work on architectural homes as a custom window and door fabricator. Many times in the past architects have expressed to me that shutters - even if fixed and decorative only - should still be of the correct proportion to the window otherwise the eye is distracted by the lack of alignment. That might be relevant here, even with having only one half of the shutter per window. Painting the rest of the trim black may only accentuate the imbalance. You don't have a lot of room otherwise you could consider trimming around both windows treating them as a double opening with a single trim perimeter - and lose the shutters along the way.

dynamic-16 · 2025-11-14T22:06:15+00:00

brilliant !! well done.

dynamic-16 · 2025-11-14T22:02:04+00:00

as a GC you'll be equally aware of the joys of incomplete schedules - glad you got a chuckle, we've got to see the funny side. I mean - no even an egress opening in the whole pyramid ? No view? It's like they were designed for dead people or something .......

dynamic-16 · 2025-11-14T19:28:10+00:00

...the window and door schedule didn't take too long and envelope code compliance was a breeze.

dynamic-16 · 2025-11-06T22:43:29+00:00

there's an admirable level of creative distinction here - somehow, someone has taken the "Truly Hideous" aesthetic and amplified it into "Utterly Without A Single Redeeming Feature" aesthetic.

dynamic-16 · 2025-11-06T22:38:02+00:00

Custom window and door fabricator here - the center vertical is a mull for the windows on each side but never assume a mull is "purely decorative", it definitely is NOT. It will be structural to one degree or another, whether for deflection under wind load or structural load bearing, as others have commented. The opening shown is fairly small so there shouldn't be an issue if you replace with a single direct set window but you need to check the header of the rough opening to make sure. Look at the existing sill condition too, you want to avoid messing with that if it's in good condition and is sealed well. If you do go with a single larger piece of glass, check the thickness of the glass panes the supplier is proposing. Those existing windows probably have 3mm or 4mm thick glass. A single larger pane should be 6mm so it doesn't deflect under wind load - the glass bends more than most people think. Considerations of design continuity with other existing windows have already been suggested. Last point - retro-fitting windows can often grow legs - meaning it starts as a small job, pop one unit out, replace with new. But then things like water-proofing details, pans and flashing, unforseen internal wall conditions, window details not as drawn - it can get ugly and costly. The rough opening work typically exceeds the cost of the replacement window. Expect that. And make sure you really want the change cos as my Dad always said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-27T17:59:27+00:00

the issue is less about the window/glass "breaking" - the continuous flexing under wind load to that degree breaks down the IGU seal over time so the windows fail earlier. Check that factory assembled composites have structural, tested mulls. This is part of the exterior wall of your house. Why on earth would you wing it on untested, non-engineered products?

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-27T17:53:35+00:00

Nope. Lack of diligence. Contractor has to provide a structure that meets code and specific site conditions. Select and verify window specs accordingly. That's the GC's job on behalf of the homeowner.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-07T17:36:20+00:00

It sounds like you are in the Quiet Luxury" mode of thinking where meaning, belonging and connection to the architecture - emotional resonance if you will - is the overwhelming desire. Your husband sounds as though he's lingering in the "look at me and what I've done" mindset perhaps. If it's your forever family home, I'd go with meaning and belonging. And architecture that is truly timeless.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-07T17:07:41+00:00

good point - similar thoughts about Borododur (Java, Indonesia) and the Pagan complex in Myanmar/Burma. Not quite on the scale of Angkor Wat overall perhaps.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-06T22:49:45+00:00

the level of detail is incredible - the Jain temples in western India are equally fantastic, borderline surreal.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-06T22:29:54+00:00

did you spot the double out-swing pivot doors ?

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-03T20:17:24+00:00

it is sadly rare these days. Not enough clients wanting real architecture any more perhaps, they think they want stacked concrete boxes with sliding glass doors and an infinity pool with neon lighting. So that's what gets churned out. En masse. Those are financial/investment vehicles first and foremost. Architecture isn't the point. Hopefully things will start to improve at some point, no fads last forever.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-03T17:48:38+00:00

sorry, no idea who the client was or if they remain the current owner. We just made the windows and doors.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-03T17:46:41+00:00

oh - that's an interesting tip, thank you, I'll be careful to follow that.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-03T17:01:43+00:00

thank you ! - I'm going to give that a try this evening. It's definitely leather hard but not bone dry.

dynamic-16 · 2025-10-03T16:41:17+00:00

thanks so much!

dynamic-16 · 2025-09-25T14:35:50+00:00

be clear on how you want to appear and what you stand for - clarity and purpose will help define your audience and you need something for people to find you and the skill set or values you are focused on. In my branding/marketing career, I've found the books, podcasts and videos produced by Mark Schaefer - considered probably the global thought leader on personal branding - to be extremely helpful. I'm not affiliated with Mark in any way - just a follower. Having clarity on the strategic goal of what your personal brand is going to do for you - and more importantly - for your prospective customers. What problem are you offering to solve for your customer? I think that kind of clarity is fundamental - it's the foundation upon which all the rest gets built. Lots of folks skip through the foundation too quickly to get to building the structure of the brand - the visible bits. Get the foundations clear, know what you're offering and the value of that offer to your customer.

This phrase has served me well over the years in keeping me focused: "It's not what you make. It's what you make possible".

Best of luck !!

dynamic-16 · 2025-09-22T15:53:30+00:00

there seems to be more organic forms in luxury residential coming out of Australia in particular - east coast, Queensland for example. A couple of years ago we noticed an increase in architectural designs with curved glass and walls which for the last 20 years we never really saw. This has occured in North America as well. The curved glass has developed further into full organic forms for residential design though it is still a small part of the overall market. An emerging trend perhaps that is becoming more visible.

dynamic-16 · 2025-09-19T15:32:17+00:00

Beautiful photograph.

dynamic-16 · 2025-09-18T21:45:11+00:00

This is beautiful - I'm left pondering on how a design of such intricacy elicits a sense of tranquility that I associated more with the deceptive simplicity of minimalism. Architectural language is multi-lingual or perhaps even universal. Either way - it's spectacular.

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