Lengthwise Translucent Windows

[TheClaw]

I am building a new workshop/garage this spring. On the south side of the upper facade I'm thinking about adding a long translucent window or series of windows as shown in the drawing below.

Has anybody done something like this before? I'm in chicago so I can't really just throw some plexiglass up there, i'd loose all my heat in the winter time. My budget is getting maxed out so I'm wondering what some good alternatives might be.

Taking ideas!

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[larry4406]

Google clerestory.

 

[TheClaw]

Google clerestory.

Thanks, that's good but I need a budget friendly alternative. What's a good material to use without going full blown window?

 

[LopezBart]

triple wall 5/8" greenhouse polycarbonate: https://charleysgh.com/products/16mm-bronze-3-wall-polycarbonate-sheet

 

[cvairwerks]

Build your own clerestory windows, but use plex and form up as triple pane units. Won't be as good as argon filled, but will be better than single panes.

 

[pembol]

Multiwall polycarbonate (as used in green houses) is a great option. The U values for the 3 or 5 wall stuff are pretty close to nromal double pane windows.

Edit to add - I am not sure I would want to do this on south facing walls, that would be a huge heat load in the summer unless the eaves were carefully designed. In my case this is the north facing wall, and it adds a really nice amount of ambient 'north light' without a huge amount of heat. Definitely don't need to have any lights on during the day.

 

[loganb]

Thanks, that's good but I need a budget friendly alternative. What's a good material to use without going full blown window?

ReStore or other sources for used/wrong windows that you can make work in a new build. May have to look for awhile to get it...but with patience it can be found

 

[TheClaw]

Multiwall polycarbonate (as used in green houses) is a great option. The U values for the 3 or 5 wall stuff are pretty close to nromal double pane windows.

Edit to add - I am not sure I would want to do this on south facing walls, that would be a huge heat load in the summer unless the eaves were carefully designed. In my case this is the north facing wall, and it adds a really nice amount of ambient 'north light' without a huge amount of heat. Definitely don't need to have any lights on during the day.

That looks awesome!

I do have some trees to the south. I should take a look and see how it might play out.

 

[pembol]

That looks awesome!

I do have some trees to the south. I should take a look and see how it might play out.

Thanks!

Sketchup has some really easy tools to figure out the solar exposure and shadows at any date/time you want. I used it a bunch to figure out what the garage would cast shade on - I wanted to make sure it wasn't going to shade the sunny patio on the house in the winter.

 

[Hank11]

Look at fixed vinyl windows at Loews or HD. Your drawing calls for 5 windows. You can order sizes. Smaller ones are of course less expensive.

 

[jar944]

Fixed windows are cheap.

 

[Bert_]

I made these storms for my basement windows because the originals were missing or beyond repair. Just a simple wood frame and plexiglass attached with pole barn screws. Probably cost $20 a piece at the time. 2 panes with a dead space in between works fine for me in Iowa.

 

[Rst277]

I used the doors from an old three door cooler. Sealed, double pane windows for free. Make a frame add trim, caulk and you're done!

 

[dcg9381]

Fixed windows are cheap.

I agree. You'll need a standard window if heat transfer is a concern. Probably a few hundred bucks for these off the top of my head.

 

[larry4406]

Foundation basement windows are similar in shape.

Look into what your big box store has on hand.

 

[WisJim]

I have gotten free patio doors from remodeling projects and used the insulated glass for large fixed glazing.

 

[pembol]

Real windows definitely have better optical and possibly better thermal properties. One down side is that for a long series of windows like that in a load bearing wall, the framing and shear loads may get complicated. That was part of the reason I went with polycarbonate - to have a continuous light right up to the roof without needing crazy headers and shear bracing. For the 25mm poly, the U-values (0.27) are about the same as cheap windows.