Woodgrain Exterior Transom 1 Lite: Nine Wood Species and Critical Installation Requirements

Woodgrain’s exterior transoms deliver the widest wood species selection in the market — nine options including premium hardwoods. That’s not marketing fluff. The 1 Lite configuration comes in PON (Ponderosa Pine), RAD (Radiata Pine), KPN (Knotty Pine), PRM (Primed), KAL (Knotty Alder), FIR (Douglas Fir), RHK (Rustic Hickory), MHG (Mahogany), and WAL (Walnut). Most manufacturers offer three, maybe four species. Woodgrain went overboard.

Here’s the catch: All six sides must be sealed immediately upon receipt, and failure to provide adequate overhang protection voids the 1-year warranty. That’s not a suggestion. It’s mandatory. Reports of warping or glass seal failure track directly to contractors who skipped the overhang and sealing requirements.

Wood Species Selection and Dimensional Options

KAL, RHK, and WAL only come in 1-3/4” thickness. If you need those premium species in 1-3/8”, you’re out of luck. The reasoning’s simple — thinner stock in dense hardwoods tends to warp.

Specification	Value	Notes
Thickness Options	1-3/8”, 1-3/4”	Premium species restricted to 1-3/4”
Standard Heights	6’8”, 7’0”, 8’0”	Covers typical residential needs
Standard Widths	1’6”, 2’0”, 2’4”, 2’6”, 3’6”, Custom	Custom sizing available
Framing Compatibility	Standard 2x4 or 2x6	Match jamb thickness to wall

Construction follows traditional stile and rail methods — solid wood or engineered core with veneer. The engineered option gives better dimensional stability in Montana’s temperature swings. Solid wood looks authentic but moves more.

Glass comes direct-set for maximum light transmission. No bulky frame eating up your daylight. Standard configuration uses single-glazed tempered glass. Insulated Low-E glass only works with 1-3/4” thickness. All glass meets ANSI Z97.1 safety standards — mandatory for any glass within 18 inches of a floor.

Installation Requirements That Actually Matter

Protective overhang depth must equal the unit height. Install a 7-foot transom? You need a 7-foot overhang. Period. Montana contractors who think a 2-foot overhang suffices will warranty their own mistakes.

The 3/16 inch expansion gap requirement specifically addresses dry climates. That’s Montana. Wood moves. Give it room or watch it buckle when humidity changes.

Critical installation steps:

• Seal all six sides before exposure to elements
• Use proper flashing and exterior-grade caulk at head and jamb joints
• Store units flat, level, and away from direct sunlight until installation

Positive customer feedback highlights ease of staining and high-end appearance. Makes sense — nine species means you can match existing millwork without the plastic look of composites.

When to Use (and Skip) These Transoms

These match Woodgrain’s full door line in both thickness options and commonly pair with their 1-Lite sidelites. Perfect for contractors already specifying Woodgrain doors who need consistent grain and finish.

Skip them if installation shortcuts matter more than aesthetics. Fiberglass alternatives offer better dimensional stability and moisture resistance. They won’t match wood doors perfectly, but they won’t warp either.

The nine-species selection solves real problems. Matching existing walnut trim? They’ve got it. Need knotty alder for that mountain modern look? Available. Want basic primed pine to paint? Also there. No other transom line offers this range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if all six sides aren’t sealed immediately? Warranty coverage requires immediate sealing of all six sides. Failure voids the 1-year warranty. More importantly, unsealed wood absorbs moisture unevenly, causing warping and finish failure.

Can insulated glass fit in the thinner 1-3/8” option? No. Insulated Low-E glass only fits in 1-3/4” thickness. The thinner profile can’t accommodate the dual-pane assembly.

Why do some species only come in 1-3/4” thickness? KAL (Knotty Alder), RHK (Rustic Hickory), and WAL (Walnut) are restricted to 1-3/4” thickness. Denser woods need extra thickness to resist warping.

Do these transoms work with non-Woodgrain doors? They fit standard 2x4 or 2x6 framed openings, so technically yes. But grain and finish matching becomes your problem.