What are Clerestory Windows?
Our Austin Architects Define Clerestory Windows and Explain Their History, Benefits, and Applications
Natural light is a powerful force to consider when designing a home. It can change a room's look and literally brighten our moods when we walk into a space. Our Austin architects are partial to natural light, so we often incorporate clerestory windows into residential designs to increase the amount of light throughout the home. However, when reviewing initial design concepts many clients ask, “What are clerestory windows?” To shed some light on the subject, we’re defining clerestory windows and explaining their history, benefits, and applications in residential architecture.
What are Clerestory Windows?
Clerestory windows are rows of windows positioned high on the wall, well above eye level. Typically, they are tucked right under the roofline, creating a light and airy feel. Clerestory windows are a great way to bring more natural light into a room without taking up wall space that could be used to position artwork, furniture, or storage solutions. Unlike traditionally placed windows, clerestory windows let in more ambient than direct light. Additionally, their high placement can strategically frame skyline views or provide natural light where privacy is a concern. Clerestory windows are often associated with mid-century modern architecture. However, their origin dates back thousands of years, and they can be adapted to fit any design style.
A Brief History of Clerestory Windows
Clerestory windows have been used in architecture for centuries. The earliest examples date back to ancient Egyptian temples, like Karnak, built in the 13th century BC. Builders left gaps in stacked stone in these structures to provide interior illumination. Clerestory windows went on to be used in ancient Greek and Roman architecture. In the Middle Ages, clerestory windows were a common feature of Gothic cathedrals because building innovations, such as flying buttresses, allowed for taller walls and more windows. They also provided a way to illuminate church interiors without providing distracting views to the outside world during services. While clerestory windows have been around for thousands of years, most people today associate them with mid-century modern architecture. In the modernist period, advancements in steel and glass construction made clerestory windows even more accessible. Placing rows of windows along the roofline highlighted the post-and-beam construction of the day and established deeper connections to nature. Today, you can find clerestory windows across many design styles in both residential and commercial buildings.
Benefits of Clerestory Windows
There are several benefits to using clerestory windows:
Provide More Natural Light
Clerestory windows provide additional natural light to interiors, improving the look, feel, and mood of the space. Studies have shown that natural light helps enhance the quality of sleep, boost mood, and fight off winter blues, making for a happy and healthy home environment.
Allow for Privacy
Depending on the home’s placement, certain rooms, like bathrooms and bedrooms, must balance privacy concerns with windows for natural light. Thanks to their high-up positioning, clerestory windows allow for natural light without sacrificing privacy.
Frame Views Strategically
A home’s site orientation often doesn't provide beautiful views from every room. However, you can use clerestory windows to strategically frame the best parts of a view. For example, a row of narrow clerestory windows can showcase the tops of trees and glimpses of the sky, while the wall below blocks the view of the neighbor’s house.
Save Wall Space
While windows are beautiful, they do take up valuable wall space and are not always practical. Clerestory windows save wall space, allowing you to utilize the wall below for storage cabinets, art displaces, furniture placement, and more.
Add Visual Interest
While clerestory windows provide many interior benefits, they also provide visual interest to the home’s exterior. Clerestory windows can break up exterior walls, enhance the roofline, and echo other structural lines.
Applications of Clerestory Windows in the Home
Here are a few ways to strategically use clerestory windows in the home:
In Interior Rooms
It can be difficult to light interior rooms because there aren’t exterior-facing walls to add windows. However, raising the roofline allows for the addition of clerestory windows that can bring more natural light into the space.
Above Roof Overhangs
Roof overhangs provide shade to patios off interior living spaces. However, they can also block natural light from coming inside. Placing clerestory windows above the overhang helps compensate for the loss of natural light while adding additional architectural interest.
In Bathrooms
Rather than placing a traditional window in the bathroom, clerestory windows can be added to let in natural light without sacrificing privacy. Many homeowners prefer this option over frosted or glass-block bathroom windows.
Above Cabinets
Placing clerestory windows above cabinets helps to break up the wall, creating more visual interest while bringing light into the space. Clerestory windows can be added above kitchen, closet, office, or living room cabinetry and shelving.
In Place of Skylights
For homeowners opposed to skylights, clerestory windows provide an alternative that generates the same effect. Depending on the design, clerestory windows may be more practical or create a more dramatic design statement.
DK Studio Architecture Projects Featuring Clerestory Windows
Here are a few examples of clerestory windows in our Austin residential design projects:
Creeksedge House
Creeksedge is a classic mid-century design featuring clerestory windows highlighting the roofline and bringing light to an interior room.
Chalk Knowl House
Chalk Knowl is a contemporary-style home featuring clerestory windows placed above kitchen cabinets for additional light.
Pocahontas House
Pocahontas house is a Southern coastal design featuring clerestory windows above the patio roofline to supplement interior light.
West Avenue Office
West Avenue is a mid-century design featuring classic clerestory windows above shelving and strategically framing exterior views.
Are Clerestory Windows Right for Your Home?
Clerestory windows fit any architectural style. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if they’re suitable for your home:
Directional Exposure
Clerestory windows are typically placed on the south side of a building to maximize natural light. However, placement can vary depending on your needs. Consider how light travels throughout the day and place windows for maximum benefit.
Needs and Aesthetics
If you need privacy or wall space but don’t want to sacrifice natural light, clerestory windows might be the best option. Consider the needs of the room and aesthetic effects on the interior and exterior of the home.
Views
Clerestory windows strategically frame views, blocking what you don’t want to see and highlighting bright skies. However, rooms with excellent views may be better suited for traditional windows or sliding panoramic doors.
Shining Light on Clerestory Windows
Clerestory windows are a versatile and stylish architectural feature that can provide natural light and visual interest to your home. When choosing clerestory windows, it is important to consider the size, type, location, and style to ensure that it meets your needs. If you need additional light on the subject, our Austin architects are here to help.
Do You Need Help Designing Your Home?