When designing a pool enclosure, a little extra height can make a big difference in how open and spacious the finished structure feels. That's where a transom roof comes in.
A transom is a raised section between the walls of an enclosure and its main roofline. Instead of having the roof begin directly at the top of the enclosure walls, the transom lifts the roof higher, creating additional vertical space without increasing the footprint of the enclosure.
At Lafferty Aluminum & Screening, transoms can be constructed with screen or insulated composite roof panels. While both options create additional height, they look different, work with different enclosure designs, and can have different structural requirements.
There also isn't one standard transom height that works for every project. The material, roof style, dimensions, location, engineering requirements, and overall design of your enclosure all help determine what's possible.
So, what's the difference between screened and composite transoms, and which one could work for your pool enclosure?
A transom is the vertical height extension between the enclosure walls and the main roof structure.
For example, if an enclosure has an 8-foot wall with a 2-foot transom above it, the main roofline can begin approximately 10 feet above the deck.
That additional height can change the entire feel of an enclosure. Instead of the roof beginning immediately above the walls, the raised roofline can make the pool cage feel taller, larger, and more open.
It's important to understand that the transom is only the raised section of the enclosure—not the entire roof.
The main roof extending beyond the transom may be screen, insulated composite roof panels, or a combination of the two.
Before choosing a transom material, it helps to understand how it relates to the rest of the enclosure.
A traditional pool enclosure commonly uses a screen roof over the pool, maintaining natural sunlight and the open-air feeling homeowners expect from a Florida pool cage.
Another option is a solid roof constructed with insulated composite roof panels, which provides shade and protection from rain.
Some outdoor living spaces incorporate both materials in what we call a hybrid design.
For example, you might have a screen roof directly over the swimming pool while 3-inch insulated composite roof panels cover a seating area beside the pool. The swimming area remains bright and open, while the adjacent seating area has permanent shade and rain protection.
A transom can be incorporated into these different configurations to raise the roofline and create additional height.
A screened transom uses screen within the raised section between the enclosure walls and main roof.
Because the transom remains screened, it adds height while maintaining visibility, airflow, and natural light through the upper portion of the enclosure.
Screened transoms work particularly well with traditional screen pool enclosures because the material transitions naturally into the screened roof above.
Screened transoms generally provide greater flexibility when additional height is desired.
Depending on the specific enclosure and roof design, screen transoms may potentially reach approximately 4 to 6 feet in certain applications, including some dome-style enclosures.
That doesn't mean every pool cage can or should have a 4- to 6-foot transom.
The appropriate height depends on the enclosure's dimensions, roof profile, spans, engineering, location, and overall proportions. A smaller transom may provide exactly the amount of lift needed, while certain larger designs can accommodate considerably more height.
The goal isn't necessarily to make the transom as tall as possible. It's to create a roofline that feels open while remaining structurally appropriate and proportional to the enclosure and home.
A screened transom may be a good fit if you want to:
Because screen remains visually open, a screened transom can add significant height without making the structure feel heavy or enclosed.
A composite transom uses insulated composite roof panels in the raised transom section instead of screen.
This creates a solid section between the enclosure walls and roofline while still providing the additional vertical height of a transom.
Composite transoms can work especially well when they're incorporated into an area that already has an insulated composite roof.
For example, consider a hybrid enclosure with a screen roof over the pool and an insulated composite roof over an adjacent seating area. The covered seating area could incorporate a composite transom to raise its roofline while maintaining a consistent solid-panel appearance.
Composite transoms have different structural considerations than screened transoms.
Many of the composite transoms we build are approximately 2 feet or less, although taller designs may be possible depending on the specific project.
In some configurations, a composite transom around 4 feet may be achievable without making the design overly complex. Beyond that point, additional structural components may be necessary depending on the design and engineering.
For example, a taller composite transom may require vertical uprights along the structure, potentially spaced approximately 4 feet apart. Certain configurations may also require additional bracing.
A roof-only design without screen walls can present different structural requirements as well. For example, a 2-foot composite transom on certain roof-only structures may require 45-degree knee braces to help prevent lateral movement.
Roof shape also makes a difference. Depending on the project and engineering, a gable design could potentially accommodate a taller composite transom toward the center of the gable.
These are examples of what's possible—not standard specifications for every project.
There are both structural and aesthetic considerations when increasing the height of a composite transom.
As the solid section becomes taller, additional uprights or bracing may be needed. Those components can change the appearance of the finished structure.
At a certain point, a very tall solid transom can also begin to look overly segmented or heavy compared with the rest of the enclosure.
That's why we don't approach composite transoms with the goal of simply building the tallest section possible.
Instead, the height should complement the scale of the home, the roof design, and the surrounding enclosure while meeting the structural requirements of the project.
Both options accomplish the same basic goal: raising the roofline to create additional vertical space.
The primary differences are the material, appearance, surrounding roof design, and structural requirements.
A screened transom maintains an open appearance and generally provides more flexibility when greater height is desired. It works naturally with screened pool enclosure roofs and allows light and airflow through the raised section.
A composite transom creates a solid upper section and works particularly well alongside insulated composite roofing. Composite transoms are commonly shorter than screened transoms, and increasing their height can introduce additional structural and design considerations.
Neither option is automatically better.
The right choice depends on what you're building around it.
Transoms can become particularly interesting when they're incorporated into a hybrid pool enclosure.
A hybrid enclosure combines screen roofing and insulated composite roofing within the same outdoor living space.
For example, you may want screen over the swimming pool so the area remains exposed to natural sunlight while still being protected from insects and debris.
Beside the pool, you may want an insulated composite roof over your furniture, dining table, or entertaining area. This provides permanent shade and protection from Florida's frequent rain without requiring the entire pool enclosure to have a solid roof.
The transom design can then complement the different areas of the enclosure.
Depending on the overall configuration, the screened portion may incorporate a screened transom, while the covered outdoor living portion could incorporate a composite transom.
This allows the enclosure to provide different experiences within the same overall structure.
There isn't a universal answer.
A smaller transom can provide a subtle lift to the roofline, while a taller transom can dramatically change the scale and openness of an enclosure.
However, the amount of height that's appropriate depends on factors such as:
This is why transom dimensions shouldn't be selected from a standard chart without looking at the actual project.
What works on one pool enclosure may not work—or may not look right—on another.
The biggest advantage of a transom is the ability to create additional vertical space without increasing the footprint of your enclosure.
Even a relatively modest increase in roof height can make a pool cage feel noticeably more spacious.
A transom can help:
For homeowners who don't want their pool cage to feel low or confined, a transom can completely change the appearance of the finished enclosure.
No, and this is one of the reasons every project needs to be evaluated individually.
A screened transom and a composite transom place different demands on an enclosure. Height, span, roof style, location, and the surrounding structure can also change what's required.
One project may be able to accommodate a transom with a relatively straightforward design. Another may require uprights, knee braces, or a different roof configuration to achieve the desired height.
These requirements aren't necessarily drawbacks—they're simply part of properly designing a custom aluminum structure.
Rather than starting with a predetermined height and forcing the enclosure to accommodate it, we look at the complete project and determine which configuration makes sense.
While general height ranges are useful for understanding what's possible, there isn't a standard screened or composite transom that we recommend for every homeowner.
It all depends on your specific project.
Your enclosure's dimensions, roof style, location, existing structures, desired height, transom material, engineering requirements, and overall design can all affect what can be built.
That's especially important when considering taller transoms. A 4- to 6-foot screened transom that works beautifully within one dome enclosure doesn't mean the same dimensions will work for another project. Likewise, a composite transom that's possible within one gable or roof-only design may require a completely different support system somewhere else.
The best way to determine your options is to have the space evaluated in person.
Start with how you want the entire enclosure to look and function.
If you're building a traditional screened pool enclosure and want additional height while maintaining an open appearance, a screened transom may be the natural choice.
If you're incorporating 3-inch insulated composite roof panels—particularly over a seating, dining, or entertaining area—a composite transom may provide a more cohesive transition into the covered roof.
And if you're considering a hybrid enclosure, screen and composite materials can potentially be incorporated strategically into different areas of the same structure.
Ultimately, the right answer comes down to your individual project.
Lafferty Aluminum & Screening designs custom Transom Roofs, Composite Roofs, screen enclosures, and hybrid outdoor living spaces throughout Brevard and Indian River Counties.
Not sure whether you need a screened or composite transom—or how much additional height your enclosure can accommodate?
Schedule a free estimate with Lafferty Aluminum & Screening by calling (321) 652-1078 or visit our contact us page. One of our salesmen can come to your home, evaluate your specific space, discuss the screened, composite, and hybrid options that may work for your project, and provide a custom estimate based on your enclosure and outdoor living goals.
Every project is different, and an on-site consultation is the best way to determine the transom design that's right for yours.
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.
