advice re: installing interior windows?

10 years ago

Not sure if this question is more appropriate for the Home Decorating forum? One side of our home has cathedral ceilings and (not surprisingly) every single sound from downstairs travels up to the second floor! We don't want to completely frame in and build a wall at the top of the stairs. I think it will look odd and block light flow.

Perhaps we could add interior window above the halfwall at the top of the stairs? Then we somehow install a sliding door that could be closed at the top of the stairs (for reference, you would pull it closed from the right side as you walked up the stairs). Has anybody seen something like this before?

I've posted a cell phone photo from our first floor below. I will also post a "mock-up" of what two windows would look like, as well as the only inspiration photo I've found in my short search.

many thanks for your thoughts!

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Comments (6)

berrybear
Original Author
10 years ago
my quick mock up with white framed windows...
berrybear
Original Author
10 years ago
inspiration photo...not exactly the same layout as our place, but the best thing i have found thus far.
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User
10 years ago
Glass Wall instead of windows.

You could install a sliding door at the top of the stairs that slides to the right to open.
Fori
10 years ago
It could look pretty good I think. Do ask the home decorating forum also.

By the way, you have mice! hehe!
annzgw
10 years ago
Once you reach the top of the stairs, are there rooms to the right and left? From a safety standpoint, you don't want a door at the very top of the stairs. Trying to open and close a door when you're standing one step down from the door is an accident waiting to happen.

Consider glass doors and windows that have a contemporary design so that you keep the open feel.
berrybear
Original Author
10 years ago
I hadn't considered the glass option. I would like to add some wood b/c I think pure glass would be more modern than we would like.

annz, this is a good point and had crossed our minds. to the right, it's ~6 feet of hallway before reaching the masterbedroom. you can see the top of the bathroom door in the photo across the hall. There are 2 additional bedrooms to the left, out of view beyond the half wall. I know it's atypical to have a door right at the top of the stairs between the 1st and 2nd floor....although it's quite common going to basements.