Anyone remove windows from pole barn?

[78C-10]

Hello everyone, my pole barn is 5 years old now, when I first planned out the place and talked to the builder the building package included two windows, one on each side. I figured I would go with the windows for natural light as I did not know how long it would be until I had electricity put in.

I have had power in there now for two years and I was thinking of starting to insulate and finish the inside. Here is my quandary, early this past January someone tried to break into it but did not make it. I am thinking before I start finishing the inside if I should have the builders back and remove both windows and just put up new siding so it looks like the building never had windows. Has anyone ever done this? If you did, did you regret it? Thank you for any input. Have a great night.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I personally feel windows and skylights are unnecessary. Most (nearly all) people do not agree with me.

That should be a cheap mod. If you come down with Seasonally Affected Disorder, get some opal Polygal and make a LED tape lit fake window.

 

[unslow1]

I personally feel windows and skylights are unnecessary. Most (nearly all) people do not agree with me.

That should be a cheap mod. If you come down with Seasonally Affected Disorder, get some opal Polygal and make a LED tape lit fake window.

When I put new garage doors on I eliminated the windows on them. I just put in a couple of large peepholes. I had them covered to keep people from looking in anyway.

 

[Phoenixl37]

I have 4 windows of various sizes for natural light, and was also worried about security. So I added an extra 2x4 around the window jamb for a total of 3" of wood all the way around. I used 1/2" smooth rebar & made a gridwork of squares where the spacing was no more than 10". I drilled holes about 3" (top & bottom jamb) in from the window for the rebar to fit through, I drilled 3-1/2" in on the left & right sides. I installed each bar separately, then tack welded each place where the bars crossed.

Prior to installing I painted the rebar fluorescent orange. Up close its very visible that extra security is there, from a distance not very visible. The biggest window is 5' tall, with an extra 3" through each jamb for total length of 5'6". with the welds there is very little flexing. Could someone push these in? Yes but not very easily. I've also thought about making another set of rebar gridwork & color matching to the shed for the outside.

 

[Stuart in MN]

How tall is the building? Maybe you could relocate them so they're too high for people to reach but you can still get some natural light inside.

 

[n20junkie]

My new shop is windowless, for many reasons. I have plenty of lights, and it's not like I would ever have enough windows to noo need to turn the lights on. So wheres the savings?

 

[rayra]

Consider raising the installation height of the windows so they are still useful to you without being a means of entry. And depending how your walls / siding is built, it may be possible to re-arrange sections to migrate the window upward without needing a lot of new material.

 

[finn]

A building without windows is a cave, or at best pure cold storage.

I’d never consider windowless for a shop.

 

[matt_i]

You can add a window shade, use regular white xerox-style paper to block the view but still let in a lot of light. Doesn't have to go the whole height, just above where anyone can see. There are a range of higher end 3M films which cut down the visibility via a clear film. I like the idea of a rebar cage but you could also do expanded metal much faster.

I'm in the "like windows" camp.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

No windows at all in my 48x64x14.

Trying to keep it as sealed up as possible so no windows.

 

[dmcintosh]

I like windows. On the wall that faces awa6 from the house I used smaller windows up high. This way I have some light, and air circulation when I want it, but they are too high for easy access from the outside.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Building is five years old. Paint faded some, depending on color maybe a lot. Steel patch panel will look off. The ones I have seen the windows were installed on the gerts. Then the J then the siding. Removal of window will require reversal of process. If you can repair the window and add steel bars for security might be the easiest. On some old houses I have seen the inside glass was painted black then insulated and interior finished with no window showing. Looked normal from outside. Just thinking out loud

 

[rburke65]

I have five 2'x3' Windows that are fixed, but the sills are at 8' off the ground. I do have one 3'x4' double hung at a ' standard' height but in the process of securing it better. I like my natural light.

 

[78C-10]

Hello everyone, thank you all for responding. I don't want to move the windows up, I would eliminate them, going for the "cave" feeling. Hot Rod Grandpa has a good idea about the window being covered over but I'm not sure yet.

The building is a light cream color so I don't know how off new sheets would be. I figured both sides would need three new sheets of metal to make both windows go away and look like they were never there. Again the only reason I got them in the first place was so I would have natural light as at that time I did not know when I'd have electricity out there.

 

[IBenDcars]

Have the builder or whoever is going to do the repair bring out a new sheet of the tin color used on the building. Hold it up next to your building and see how much your color has faded. Proceed from there. See if you can deal with the different shade that it will be.

 

[kbs2244]

I like IbenDcars idea.
Second comes HotRodGrampa's

Light crème will not fade as much as red does.
So you first idea may be the way to go.

 

[rattle_snake]

Fill em in if you wish.
I built with no window as well. Grinder sparks melt into glass then looks like ****.
Lots of lights instead plus big doors.

 

[firebirdparts]

No windows in the shop for me. Not much upside there to me.

 

[yeldogt]

I have three windows on one side of my "Barn" ... they are strictly for looks. Placed my hand tool bench along that wall -- has a nice view. My studio is basically windowless -- one small window high up in the peak ... widows can really eat into usable space and don;t always provide nice light.

 

[78C-10]

Thank you all again who have posted in the last couple of days. I may call Wick Buildings soon and get a quote. Looking at it, it looks like I would need three sheets of siding for each window. Just two windows so six sheets and then removal of the windows. I have a ton of lights in there now that is nice and bright. When it is nice out I have both front and rear doors open anyways for natural light.

 

[Kandy]

Yes, you should hire a professional and get the estimated quote from them. My brother has recently renovated his shop and they removed the windows and installed the new impact door Miami the special thing about this is, that the glass doors lets the natural light come in and makes the rooms look brighter.

 

[sonofagunk]

If you are worried about security, I would have the door removed too

 

[rusty1]

...love natural light and knowing what's going on outside with a glance;...if someone wants to break into your shop, they don't need a window.