Need some ideas.

[GreaseDog355]

Ive got an aging shop, and some of it's battle scars are becoming an issue. First order of business is this window... bit I don't know what I should do about it. Obviously several id the panes are broken, and the frames are rusty. Obviously, being single pane, they don't retain heat well, especially with holes. Anybody got any ideas?

 

[Copymutt]

Pretty much anything would be an improvement.
Do you need cross ventilation from this window?
Is security an issue?
Does it cause overheating to the room?
These are the questions that will help decide the type of window.
Jim

 

[sparky 1971]

My shop had very similar windows. Complete with the broken glass. I framed in the openings and put siding on. I don't have any natural light unless the doors are open, but nobody can see in and look at all the useless **** I have either.

 

[GreaseDog355]

Pretty much anything would be an improvement.
Do you need cross ventilation from this window?
Is security an issue?
Does it cause overheating to the room?
These are the questions that will help decide the type of window.
Jim

it's not really a security concern at this point. It would be really hard to get through it too get in. Strategic shelf placement. Lol

Normally in the summer ive got a squirrel cage fan that I use to circulate air for the time being, other than the open door slider door, and the open man door, there isn't any flow away all without the fan. It's not any hotter than you'd expect a cinder block building to be in the summer. I would like to be able to retain some of my heat in the winter, my 200kbtu unit heater likes its gas.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The simple answer is to replace the broken panes and then paint the metal frame, but that wouldn't deal with the energy efficiency. You could buy or build a storm window which would help, but you'd have to take it off in warm months if you still want to be able to open it.

 

[GreaseDog355]

My shop had very similar windows. Complete with the broken glass. I framed in the openings and put siding on. I don't have any natural light unless the doors are open, but nobody can see in and look at all the useless **** I have either.

I've actually considered just boarding it up as well.

 

[sixty4]

I would put a transom window in and block up to it. You would still have light and if a crank out still have ventilation. Not to mention freeing up valuable wall space. If it was me.

 

[TimK]

How about glass block?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

How much time and money do you want to spend?
At a minimum I would replace the broken glass. If you are looking to improve energy efficiency get some styrofoam sheets to put over them (inside) when needed.

 

[Copymutt]

My vote is also for delete since its not needed. Frame it in or block fill. Sounds like insulating might be on your wish list.
Jim

 

[rburke65]

I’m thinking the least expensive idea would be the glass block. Still allowing in light, double walled, n better insulated....and a DIY project.

 

[Cougar]

I would put a transom window in and block up to it. You would still have light and if a crank out still have ventilation. Not to mention freeing up valuable wall space. If it was me.

I like this idea.

 

[captain14]

I’m thinking the least expensive idea would be the glass block. Still allowing in light, double walled, n better insulated....and a DIY project.

Why not use glass block and add a transom window at the top you can open?

Mike Huaduck (so?) has some videos on YouTube on this topic.

 

[bad_idea]

We had a similar issue at the church. Old, inefficient window in the nursery. At some point in time (very old building) they put a large HVAC unit outside the window. To block the noise of the HVAC unit I built a door in the window sill. Block wall with window on the outer edge of block, leaves a 6" or so deep sill. I built a door with 2x4 frame, sheetrock on the outer face of the frame, insulation in the middle, and white board material (for them to use as a white board) on the inner face. When shut most of the noise is blocked. With a discreet latch it is easily opened for egress.

 

[Dutch01]

+1 for glass bricks. I think in winter you will find that you need the extra natural light without opening doors lor light

 

[BigGarage]

Ive got an aging shop, and some of it's battle scars are becoming an issue. First order of business is this window... bit I don't know what I should do about it. Obviously several id the panes are broken, and the frames are rusty. Obviously, being single pane, they don't retain heat well, especially with holes. Anybody got any ideas?

If you don't need to open the windows for any reason then I'd say block up the bottom 3 rows and put glass block in the top 2 rows. This would give you security and sunlight. I have glassblock in my garage bathroom and it does the job nicely. It also comes with a section that has a small window in it that can be opened for fresh air.

If you want a relatively temporary fix then I'd suggest replacing the broken lites with 6mm or 8mm panes, caulking them in real good and then decide upon further action.

Dennis

 

[cdestuck]

I think I’d reduce the height by 3 course of 8” block and then get two double hung windows mulled together to fix into your size. Natural light is sure nice to have.

 

[kbs2244]

If you still want the light of a window, the cheapest large insulated glass is a patio door.
You can get a single, removed, door on CL for little, if anything, and frame it in.

 

[ed_v]

In my opinion.... save those windows.

How many windows do you have like that? I'd be interested in buying them off you if you decide to get rid of them. I'll drive up and get them if the price is right!

I love an old concrete block shop with big industrial type windows. It really has an old charm that can't be recreated. You can always remove the glass and install thicker panes and re-glaze for more energy efficiency. Lots of companies around that do this stuff.

Ed

 

[Stuart in MN]

I love an old concrete block shop with big industrial type windows. It really has an old charm that can't be recreated. You can always remove the glass and install thicker panes and re-glaze for more energy efficiency. Lots of companies around that do this stuff.

Ed

That's my thought. We don't know what the whole building looks like, but in general old buildings with those metal frame windows end up looking funny if you try to replace them with a double hung or something like that.

 

[GreaseDog355]

Here's what the whole thing looks like. The original building is a 30x40, with another 20x30 added on to the back at songer point with a flat roof. Im planning on removing the slider door (splits in the middle, only half is open in the pic) and installing a vertical opening door. The sliding door can be quite the pain in the winter with snow and ice.

 

[uscarry45]

get a new window! or think about having a single piece of glass cut to cover the opening