When designing a pool enclosure, adding extra height can make a major difference in how open and spacious the finished structure feels. That's where a transom roof comes in.
A transom roof is a 1- to 3-foot raised section added to the roofline of a screen enclosure. Rather than having the main roof begin directly at the top of the enclosure walls, the transom raises the starting point of the roof, creating additional vertical space and a more open feel.
At Lafferty Aluminum & Screening, transom sections can be designed with screen or insulated composite roof panels, depending on the enclosure design and the look you're trying to achieve.
So, which option makes the most sense for your pool cage? Let's compare them.
A transom is a height extension incorporated between the enclosure walls and the main roof structure. It typically adds 1 to 3 feet of additional height before the primary roofline begins.
For example, if an enclosure has an 8-foot wall and a 2-foot transom, the roofline can begin approximately 10 feet above the deck.
That extra height can make the enclosure feel significantly larger without increasing its footprint. It can also provide additional clearance for features such as ceiling fans, umbrellas, landscaping, or other elements within the pool area.
Most importantly, the transom is only the raised section of the enclosure—not the entire roof.
The roof extending from the transom can still be designed according to the needs of the pool enclosure.
Before comparing screened and composite transoms, it helps to understand how the rest of the enclosure roof may be designed.
Many Florida pool enclosures have a traditional screen roof, allowing sunlight and airflow over the pool while helping keep insects and debris out.
Other enclosures may incorporate insulated composite roof panels to create a covered outdoor living area.
A third option is a hybrid roof design, which combines both.
For example, the portion of the enclosure directly over the pool may remain screened, while insulated composite roof panels cover a seating, dining, or entertaining area beside the pool. This provides an open-air environment over the water while creating a shaded, weather-protected area nearby.
The transom section can then be designed to complement the overall roof configuration.
A screened transom uses screen material within the raised 1- to 3-foot section of the enclosure.
This creates a visually open transition between the enclosure walls and the main roofline. Natural light can pass through the transom, and the additional screened area helps preserve the open-air feeling homeowners often want from a pool cage.
In many designs, a screened transom connects directly to a screened roof extending over the pool enclosure.
A screened transom is ideal when the goal is to make the enclosure feel taller, brighter, and more open.
Because the raised section remains screened, it maintains visibility through the upper portion of the enclosure and allows natural airflow through the space.
It can be particularly effective around a pool, where homeowners often want additional ceiling height without making the enclosure feel more enclosed.
A screened transom may be the right choice if you:
A composite transom uses insulated composite roof panels within the raised transom section rather than screen.
The composite material creates a more solid architectural transition between the enclosure walls and roofline while still providing the additional 1 to 3 feet of height that defines a transom.
This can be especially useful when the transom is incorporated into an area of the enclosure that already includes a composite roof.
For example, imagine a hybrid pool enclosure with a screen roof over the swimming pool and an insulated composite roof over the adjacent seating area. The seating area could incorporate a composite transom, giving the covered portion additional height while maintaining a cohesive design with the insulated roof panels.
A composite transom can create a more substantial, finished appearance within a covered section of the enclosure.
Because the transom is solid rather than screened, it can visually complement an insulated composite roof and help define the covered outdoor living portion of a hybrid enclosure.
A composite transom may make sense if you:
The biggest difference isn't the amount of height they add. Both options can create the same 1- to 3-foot roof height extension.
The difference is how that raised section looks and interacts with the rest of the enclosure.
A screened transom keeps the upper section visually open. It works naturally with screen roofing and helps maximize light, airflow, and visibility.
A composite transom creates a solid upper section. It can complement insulated roofing and provide a more defined transition into a covered outdoor living area.
The decision should therefore be based primarily on the design of the surrounding enclosure rather than treating the transom as a separate roof system.
Hybrid designs are where the distinction between screen and composite transoms becomes especially important.
A hybrid enclosure combines screen roofing and insulated composite roofing within the same structure.
For example, you may want screen directly over the pool so the water remains exposed to natural sunlight and the enclosure maintains its traditional outdoor feel. Next to the pool, you may want an insulated composite roof over a seating area to provide shade and protection from Florida's sun and rain.
The transom can help transition these different areas while adding height to the enclosure.
Depending on the design, the screened portion may incorporate a screened transom, while the covered portion may use insulated composite panels within its transom section.
This gives homeowners the ability to create distinct zones within one enclosure without sacrificing the additional height and openness a transom provides.
Transoms can generally add between 1 and 3 feet of additional height, but bigger isn't automatically better.
The right height depends on the dimensions of the enclosure, the existing home, roof configuration, pool location, and overall proportions of the structure.
A 1-foot transom can provide a subtle lift to the roofline, while a 2- or 3-foot transom creates a much more noticeable increase in vertical space.
The goal is to create additional height while keeping the enclosure proportional to the home and surrounding outdoor space.
The biggest benefit of a transom is simple: more vertical space without making the enclosure's footprint larger.
That extra height can completely change the way a pool cage feels.
Instead of the roofline beginning immediately above the enclosure walls, raising it by even a couple of feet can create a more spacious and open environment.
Transoms can be especially valuable for larger pool decks, outdoor living spaces, or homeowners who want their enclosure to feel less confined.
Depending on the design, additional height can also provide more clearance for features such as ceiling fans, umbrellas, landscaping, or other outdoor living elements.
Start with the design of the entire pool enclosure rather than looking at the transom by itself.
If your enclosure primarily uses screen roofing and your priority is maintaining an open, bright pool environment, a screened transom will often provide the most natural transition.
If your enclosure incorporates insulated composite roofing—particularly over a seating, dining, or entertaining area—a composite transom may create a more cohesive design.
And if you're building a hybrid enclosure, you may be able to incorporate both materials strategically throughout the structure.
Ultimately, the purpose of either option is the same: to raise the roofline and give your pool enclosure more height, space, and visual openness.
Lafferty Aluminum & Screening designs custom Transom Roofs, Composite Roofs, screen enclosures, and hybrid enclosure configurations for homeowners throughout Brevard and Indian River Counties.
Our team can help determine the appropriate transom height, material, and roof configuration based on your pool layout, outdoor living goals, and home's existing design.
We're excited to learn more about your needs and provide you with a personalized quote. Please fill out the form, and our team will get back to you with a detailed estimate to kickstart your project.
