Minimum window requirement for natural light

[aventino68]

So looking at final parts of a 40' x 80' basic garage plan and I would like some windows but basically the bare minimum to get natural light in. Building regs for houses in neighbourhood are 10% of floor area which is way off what I think I'd need. Is there a basic calculation on light vs sq/ft? Doors are on 80 ft side and face North East, I'm out in the countryside and building is tucked away so it's not security issues. But windows don't insulate well so I'm looking for as few as possible. Was thinking two 2' x 4' on each 40' side and four 2' x 4' across the back. If I put them high (above say 8 ft) will it feel like I'm working in a bunker?

 

[Kaizen]

Why do you need them if you can’t see out if them?
That many and that size I’d put low. I had a security and asthetic concern so I put four square windows high up. Let’s in light enough that I don’t need a light to see but wouldn’t work well under that light. The gable window is fake.



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[The Cobbler]

that's very little window for the size of the bldg. you wont get much natural light in, not enough to work in anyway

 

[MushCreek]

That is very little window area for the size of the building. It will be enough to safely walk around if the power goes out. For me, personally, I like at least one window. I like to see outside to see what the weather is doing. It also helps if you can open them to get some fresh air.

 

[jchev53]

I put four skylights in my 30 x 50 garage without an attic and I’m very pleased with the amount of natural light they provide


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[Showkey]

If it’s not a security issue, windows are a personal preference........but........they sure can be nice in the right place or situation:









Depending on the budget concerns........It most situations I would vote for natural light.

 

[aventino68]

If it’s not a security issue, windows are a personal preference........but........they sure can be nice in the right place or situation:









Depending on the budget concerns........It most situations I would vote for natural light.

That first picture is really nice, I'll up the number of windows a bit and see how that fits with insulation and heating in winter

 

[Barnabas]

Here is the front of my 50 x 100-foot garage. This 100-foot side faces west, so gets all the afternoon sun. The windows up high let in a lot of light. Same windows on the back side, but trees block the morning sun. I always work with door number 3 open and rarely turn on lights, unless I'm doing fine detail work. This is an old picture. You can drive in door number 3 now.

 

[MattRMagnum]

My home office is a one car garage turned into living space (by P.O.). I have two 1'x4' windows near the top of the west wall, and they let in enough light that I could turn the lights off and walk around in the evening just by that, but not much else. I suspect if you're going higher up and a larger building, you aren't going to see much boon from them.

The amount of light you get is going to vary too widely for anyone to give you much useful guidance, honestly. In theory you could probably figure it out by looking at the size of the window, the distance to the floor, and the angle the sun hits the windows at, but that's a lot of, well, math.

 

[jetnow1]

I have two small windows, one in each man door. It allows enough light to walk around without lights in the day time, but no more. I made the decision to forgo windows for security, same reason my garage doors are closed unless being used. In this day and age I think any place there is a garage type building security is an issue, no matter how nice an area.