How much extra will it cost me to add a transom window above my front door?

Adding a transom window above your front door typically costs $800 - $2,500 extra in the Ottawa market, depending on whether it's a new opening or an existing one, and the complexity of the work involved.

The biggest cost factor is whether your current door frame already has a transom opening or whether one needs to be created. If you're replacing your door and having a transom added at the same time, you'll save on labour since the crew is already on-site and working in that area. A simple rectangular transom in an existing or new door frame, with standard glass, sits at the lower end of that range. Decorative options like sidelights combined with a transom, leaded glass, or arched/radius shapes push the cost higher.

In Ottawa's climate, a transom isn't just decorative — it adds natural light to your entryway without sacrificing privacy, which is a real quality-of-life upgrade during our long dark winters. That said, you'll want to make sure the transom glass matches the energy performance of your door unit. Look for Low-E coating and argon fill as standard features, and ideally a triple-pane transom to avoid creating a cold spot above your door.

On the structural side, if your current door opening needs to be enlarged upward to accommodate the transom, that involves modifying the header above the door — which is a structural change and would require a building permit in Ottawa. A licensed installer will assess this during a site visit and handle the permit application if needed.

For a more accurate number, the best next step is to have someone look at your existing door opening and discuss the style you're going for. Ottawa Window Pros offers free consultations — request a quote and we can give you a firm estimate based on your specific entryway.