Clerestory Window Guide: 4 Advantages of Clerestory Windows

Clerestory (pronounced “clear-story”) windows are large windows placed above eye level to illuminate an interior space with natural light. They're typically placed in a row right below the roofline, but they can also sit above roof lines or overhangs to maximize the amount of light in a given space. Along with floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights, clerestory windows are a common fixture in modern houses.

Clerestory windows date all the way back to ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians made use of clerestory windows by cutting slits into giant slabs of stone in order to illuminate halls and temples. Centuries later, these windows became a standard architectural feature of the upper levels of both Romanesque and Gothic churches. Around the turn of the twentieth century, American architect Frank Lloyd Wright helped popularize this type of window in modern homes.

Transom windows sit above doorways, allowing light and sometimes fresh air into a room when the door is closed, while clerestory windows are often narrow windows installed at or above the roofline in an interior living space. Transom windows are a common feature in row houses where long, narrow corridors offer few other options for light and ventilation. While clerestory windows are sometimes designed to open and allow fresh air in, many are designed simply to increase the amount of light in a space.

Clerestory windows offer several advantages for interior living spaces.

1. 1. Natural light: Clerestory windows help illuminate interior spaces by drawing in light from the upper levels of a home.
2. 2. Privacy: Homeowners in urban areas—like Los Angeles or New York—gain privacy from clerestory windows without sacrificing natural light. Primary living spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, and master bedrooms stay well-lit while staying out of view.
3. 3. Limited distractions: A home office with clerestory windows will be bright and airy while limiting distractions from the outside world.
4. 4. Wall space: By freeing up wall space, clerestory windows allow for more built-in storage, wall art, and other interior design elements.

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