Height of windows in workshop?

[Cannonball]

Hi all.
Weather is suppose to break and warm up to above freezing this weekend, so time to finish up my framing.
18'x24' workshop in my backyard. Located 20' from the back of house so decided to place a couple of windows to help break up the wall of vinyl and provide some natural light.

Question is how high to place them. Two windows 36" wide x 60" high.
Walls are 10'. Garage door is 9' high. Was going to place them 4' off the floor. This would leave the top in alignment with the 9' high garage door at the front.
No worry about dirt bike bars hitting them or tool boxes/benches blocking them.
The only thing is standing in the house with a tape measure, 4' off the floor seems high. Also this places them way above the top of the man door at the back.
Thoughts?

 

[Falcon67]

I used some close out 2-0x5-0 windows in my old shop. The ceiling was 8' and I set the windows against the underside of the top plate. So that put the lower end 3' up which seemed to work well.

 

[woodrail]

Ilike the 4' off the floor idea. Thats high enough you can park a bike or have a countertop without interference.

If you dont' like the door being lower, consider adding a transom to level everything out.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re think.

Glass block ! No prying eyes !! Still get plenty of light.

You may have to increase the cripple studs.

 

[senor fozz]

Re think.

Glass block ! No prying eyes !! Still get plenty of light.

You may have to increase the cripple studs.

I like this idea better especially for a garage. In terms of height the higher the better to prevent them for being damaged.

 

[marinusdees]

If you can place them high enough so someone standing out side cannot see in to see what you have, do it. Higher is better. My garage has 12 ft ceiling and I placed them near the top. I get all the light and none of the risk.

Bombero

 

[rburke65]

I have 13' side walls and I put the bottoms of my windows at the 8' level. I get light and a little security and fewer prying eyes.

 

[Falcon67]

I put mine convenient to me, including for use with fans and/or a nice breeze. Anyone peering in would do well to note the motion detectors hooked to the alarm system.

 

[May Pop]

We just built a garage for my son in a poor neighborhood. The side windows are 18" tall and 46" wide. We put them at 6 feet to the bottom for free light and better security. 52" for the windows facing the back of the house. There will be a bench under them.

 

[schor]

I put mine 4' off the floor. I'd put them up as high as you can.

 

[beck3906]

Consider putting them sideways.

 

[Cannonball]

Thanks for the input.
I do here you on the security aspect. Shop is going to be tied into monitored house system and have a four legged enforcer.
Reality is if they want in they will get in.
One aspect is blending it with the house as it is on a city lot and does fill a large part of our yard and is dominant from the back patio doors.

I am leaning towards four feet off the floor.
Like your idea Woodrail on the transom window. Would balance everything well and allow me to place windows at four foot level.
Nice thing is if this was an opening window it would allow some fresh air in and be high off the ground if the window was to be left open over night.
Also thought about adding security bars so ordered windows with out batten bars in the glass like the house.
When I think about it, if it wasn't for the dog and alarm the house is very vulnerable. Lots of windows.

 

[Slednut]

I don't like large windows in the shop, I like it so people can't see in and I like the wall space for storage.

 

[IMXCITD]

I like the higher the better. This is valuable realestate from an organizational standpoint....hanging peg board or shelving etc....I would prefer not to put things in front of a window. I also like the security of having them as high as possible..yet still getting light.

 

[ddawg16]

Think in terms of a 4x8 sheet of plywood against the wall......do you want it to cover anything?

Hence....windows and outlets should be about 50" or so above the floor.

As for security....I don't lock my garage....I have Noir. 90 Lbs of kid loving dog who I have not doubt would give any unwanted person a second *** hole...

 

[bczygan]

Depends on what your needs are, and how you want to balance them, or not. The posts above have described the trade-offs between security, lighting, fresh breeze, views and available wall space. And you mentioned fitting in with residential styles.

Personally, I would size and locate openings to allow me to have framed views from my most used workstations to pleasant vignettes of nature outside. I would also try to balance prevailing winds for cross ventilation, while not allowing objectionable heat gain. Methods of controlling these factors include building placement, orientation and layout. Tree and shrub placement, paving location and roof overhangs also play a part. The inside relates to the outside strongly. I detest the closed off tomb type shop where you are trapped in an artificially lit and conditioned space. A harsh environment for humans. Security can be taken care of by close-able and lockable shutters. Windows should be operable. I would use skylights for more available light.
Placement and size of windows is a balance between the need for interior wall space and the need for views and fresh air. Both are needed adjacent to work stations.

Your situation, and thought about locating your window sills at 4' AFF seems good. Anywhere between 40" and 48" will allow for a workbench top and a back splash and room for the window stool and trim.

 

[bazzateer]

Walls are 10'. Garage door is 9' high. Was going to place them 4' off the floor. This would leave the top in alignment with the 9' high garage door at the front.

Aligning the top frame of the window with the top frame of the door should make it look just right in my opinion.