Shop Window Height

[purplezr2]

Working on shop plans.

Shop will have 16ft side walls more then likely. Framed wall construction with tin inside and out. 4ftx4ft windows

Does 4ft make sense? Thinking most bench height would be around 38"-40" roughly so the window would be slightly above.

 

[jimy]

I wouldn’t want a big window over a work bench that is used hard. I worry about something flying away and breaking the window. I placed my bench so the window is over the left side. The right side has the vice and gets the hammering etc so no window there.

 

[haveissues]

I put my windows up high to be out of the way and to make it difficult for riff raff to see in.

 

[tarmy]

I have the two sides at 48” and the rear at 60” to get more wall storage…

 

[bb29510]

i dont believe in windows in a shop. just give excess to break in, also take up too much wall space

 

[PoorUB]

16 foot side walls? If you want windows put them really high, like eight or ten feet. You will get sunlight, but they will be so tall they will not be a security issue.

I have five windows in my shop, I wish four of them would go away!

 

[purplezr2]

I don’t lock my house. I’m not to worried about security. Thinking more about being able to see out and get light.

 

[mogandave]

If you want lights, get skylights.

Windows are great for ventilation. I have a larger one (~36" X 36") facing east and a small one (~20" X 20") facing west in my shop, such as it is. Door opens south...

 

[ipgenie]

I didn't put any windows in the walls but both overhead doors have a row of glass in the top panel. Let's in lots of light and doesn't take up any wall space.
I also salvaged a full glass commercial man door from the county accessors office and hung it temporarily. I haven't decided if I'll hang a steel door there or keep the glass. It gives me a view of the back yard and let's in more light but would be pretty easy to break in through.
Doors on the shop have reclaimed commercial combo access latches that auto lock at midnight. Took me a while to adjust but since I don't have to carry a key it doesn't bother me to hit a code to unlock.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

This argument has been around for almost an eternity-
Just put the windows wherever you want them- what happens/or not happens afterwords is all yours!

 

[olytdi]

I put windows in the peaks using polycarb siding with the same profile as the steel. This is done commonly here due to our relatively mild climate. Sure lights up the inside!

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you want windows and want to look out them, you probably have a good plan.

Myself, I'd prefer no windows. Many of the newer post frames around here have windows up high to let light in but you can't see out of them.

 

[bb29510]

i go to my shop to get away from the world. I dont need neighbor and friend looking in the windows to see what i got and if im home, I even have a keyhole on my door, I keep it lock when Im in there. had too many time when i look up from welding and there be three people standing there, hey can you fix this

 

[BillK]

I would be more concerned with needing the wall space in the future and not having it. I would also put them up high so you get the light but they are out of the way. Both my attached and detached garages have windows in the door so I can look out.

I also agree with the skylights. We put one in our kitchen and it made it a totally different room. If I was building my detached right now I would put them in for sure.

Not sure of your complete layout but my business has two large windows in the front wall next to the bay door. I love having them and being able to look out during the day. I would go crazy with no windows at all. I have blinds on them so nobody can look in when I am closed.

 

[toolmiser]

I have a basement shop, I would only dream about windows. Maybe have the window(s) a little higher in case you want some wall mounted tools below them. I think natural light would be nice, and I've always enjoyed looking out the window.

 

[charbar]

Bottom of my windows are at 46 inches. That left room for casing/trim around the windows and conduit/outlets right above the bench. My bench is 40" tall. On the part of the bench where I have a steel top I was only able to make a 1" lip at the back so fluids wouldn't run off the back of the bench. A couple more inches to the bottom of the window definitely wouldn't hurt, so I think your plan of 48" to the bottom would work well.

I have eight windows total in my shop. There is only one wall where they have interfered with wanting to put things on the wall but it was never a big deal since I like the natural light and being able to look out.

 

[mogandave]

i go to my shop to get away from the world. I dont need neighbor and friend looking in the windows to see what i got and if im home, I even have a keyhole on my door, I keep it lock when Im in there. had too many time when i look up from welding and there be three people standing there, hey can you fix this

Wish I guys coming around my place like came around my dad’s place when I was a kid.

 

[Josh the IH guy]

I definitely wouldn't put a window near my work bench. That would be a total disaster in my shop. My windows are 4 ft off the ground. I hate them. The take up valuable wall space. Go up at least 8 feet. I am constantly kicking myself for putting my windows so low.

 

[mogandave]

I definitely wouldn't put a window near my work bench. That would be a total disaster in my shop. My windows are 4 ft off the ground. I hate them. The take up valuable wall space. Go up at least 8 feet. I am constantly kicking myself for putting my windows so low.

Why not board them up?

 

[Josh the IH guy]

Why not board them up?

Because I like the light they bring in....the thought has definitely crossed my mind, tho...

 

[kwb]

Very high up - wall space is nearly as valuable as floor space.

I have no windows in my shop. I might consider skylights when it comes time to reroof for natural light but after recently relamping all my lights with good LED's .... it is plenty bright inside again.

 

[Doug]

In keeping with the unwritten forum mantra of perpetuating replies to topics that have nothing to do with the original question, I add this:

My big garage has no windows. Had I built it it would still have no windows.

 

[MegaVan]

At the end of the day you're acting as the architect here. You know what you want to see and what your use case is.

If there is something outside that you want to see - put the windows down low (it sounds like you want to see out). If you need light and cabinets and space on the walls, go high.

I did both. I have 4'x4' windows on one side down low because they face an area where my kids play and I enjoy watching that while working.

The opposite side I have transom windows up high and cabinets mounted / weed eater and other taller implements. Multiple suggestions here may be useful in combination.

 

[Supa Dexta]

I don’t lock my house. I’m not to worried about security. Thinking more about being able to see out and get light.

I used to say the same thing - left keys in everything, wallet on the dash.. etc Then drugs and theft took over this quiet area. It's a major pain in the *** to lock up and secure everything after being used to leaving everything out and open for decades.

 

[Bert_]

I like windows I can see out of. 4' sounds nice

 

[CraigStu]

4ft for me too. Right over my toolbox w/ the butcherblock top.

 

[bdbecker]

I added windows above my workbench. Probably my favorite garage upgrade. I spend all week inside a factory, being able to see a tree or a bird on the weekends is nice.

 

[racecougar]

IIRC, I set the bottom of my windows 42" above the floor. After 4+ years, I'm still completely happy with that decision. The light, airflow, and views provided are absolutely worth the small amount of wall space they claim.

 

[RPH]

I’m on the no window side. I can add lights if I need more. Windows, glass door make your stuff easy pickings. Less likely the thieves to hit if they have no clue what you have. Just another red barn in an area filled with red barns.

 

[dougf]

I vote for no windows. They are easy enough to frame out later if you want one. If you must, I would place them 10' high. You get light, can see the trees and weather status, but dont have to worry about them interfering with a bench or tweakers breaking one in.

 

[Jawn]

About 4 to 4 1/2 feet to the bottom of the window. Bench right under it is at 40-42", I like being able to look outside while working on things.

 

[Jackfre]

On the two sides with road view I have a 2x6‘ window set up at about 7’. That makes them well over 8’ off the ground. On the view side of the property I have the windows set at 54” They are conventional double hungs. On a workbench I like a N facing window. It gives a nice light without glare. I would not like a shop without windows. I have to know what is going on out there.

 

[Bert_]

I have windows on the top panel of my 7' garage doors. I have to stand up on my toes to see anything useful out of them. I would rather have them lower. If I ever get bored I might see if I can swap the top two panels.

Like the op I don't have a crime problem. I don't worry about someone breaking a window when the door isn't locked

 

[tarmy]

I have a view and love having windows…

 

[zmotorsports]

I love the fact of having a couple of windows to let natural light in as well as so I can see my mountains to the east out of my shop when working. That being said, I have had a window over a workbench before and hated it. The light was not consistent enough and at times cast shadows over components I was working on, plus I prefer storage over my workbenches so things are within easy reach.

As far as height, I would want them high enough so people cannot see in from outside. Both my last shop as well as my current shop are setup where the shop floor was/is about a foot or slightly more above the outside grade so at around 5' above shop floor inside make it nearly impossible to see in from the yard outside which I have found to be perfect.

 

[HogDude]

I added windows above my workbench. Probably my favorite garage upgrade. I spend all week inside a factory, being able to see a tree or a bird on the weekends is nice.

I have 2 awning windows in my 24x33 attached garage. Installed about 5’ 6” above floor/ground. Nice for letting in light and allowing a breeze to blow through but high enough and a smaller opening to “discourage” uninvited guests.

 

[mcbane]

If you get serious snow, it is a good idea to get the windows up high. I already have 8 ft of snow leaning against my garage walls this season but my window sills are 11 ft so the windows arent broken and I still get some light.

 

[PoorUB]

I don’t lock my house. I’m not to worried about security. Thinking more about being able to see out and get light.

When I am busy in the shop I could care less what is going on outside, I don't need to see out.

I understand getting some free light from the sun.

The windows I do have are just in the way. I have one wall with three windows, one is covered up with a wall cabinet, and the rest might get that way too!

If you mount them up high you will get sunlight and you can do what ever you want on the walls. I might have one or two that can open for ventilation. If you know for certain where your work bench will be perhaps one over the bench, but I have peg board with regularly used tools hanging their.

 

[bdbecker]

I have 2 awning windows in my 24x33 attached garage. Installed about 5’ 6” above floor/ground. Nice for letting in light and allowing a breeze to blow through but high enough and a smaller opening to “discourage” uninvited guests.

Awning windows were the original plan, but couldn't find any off-the-shelf options that were the size I wanted. I ended up using fixed pane windows that I found at the ReStore for $20 each. Maybe someday I'll do a custom order, but I'm happy with what I've got for now. I don't remember the exact height, but the bottom is around 50" from the shop floor.

Security is certainly a concern even in a quiet neighborhood like mine. The way the garage is positioned in the back of my lot in relationship to my and my neighbor's houses, the windows are not visible from the street, or when approaching the building from the driveway. If someone were to break-in, I'd almost guarantee they go through the man-door and probably wouldn't even notice there were windows until they were inside.

 

[vavet]

There's no view out of my garage.
My shop is 24x32. I have three 4' long x 18" (?? maybe 24") transom windows on each of the 32 foot walls.
I told the GC just put them up as high as they'll go. The sidewalls are '9 foot with an angled wall section up to 12.5' for the ceiling.
I like the natural light they provide with no security concerns.