To Install Windows or Not To Install Windows...

[mountainNate]

Hey y'all. Longtime lurker who's appreciated your perspectives on things. Partner and I just put up a 35x28 steel building this year as a garage/workshop. It's fully insulated with compression insulation, though we'll primarily be using it to park our trucks and ATV's, house our garage gym, use as a lightweight workshop (neither of us are ******** carpenters or metalworkers) and storage. We have two 10x14 garage doors, live at 9820' altitude in Colorado, getting a fair amount of wind/snow.

When we spec'd the building, I included 3 6040 windows - 2 on one endwall, and one on the other endwall, where the man door is - primarily for looks, but also for light and ventilation. Being that they're metal building windows, they go in after the panels were put up, and they're basically all we have left to do, outside of a little finish trim work.

That said... we DIY'ed this building, and it's been a major PITA. I'm very nervous to cut into the walls, just given that something seems to come up with every step that I hadn't fully thought of. The building manufacturer hasn't been the best with followup support post-sale, so I'm wondering if it's even worth the hassle, or if we should just eat the cost of the windows/try to sell them and move on.

So the question: If you had a detached building like ours, would windows be important to you, and would you install them? Or is the loss of thermal barrier and potential for a screw up during installation not worth the hassle? Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[readhead]

Whoever told you to put the windows in last didn’t do you any favors. I know it can be done but it is a lot easier to do before the sheeting. I’m not sure what you mean by metal building windows. I’ve been selling and erecting metal buildings for twenty five years and that term has not come up. Maybe it is a regional thing.
I suppose it just depends on if you want windows. It is nice to walk into a building with a little natural light versus a cave. If you want light you could install light panels high on the walls.

 

[mountainNate]

Whoever told you to put the windows in last didn’t do you any favors. I know it can be done but it is a lot easier to do before the sheeting. I’m not sure what you mean by metal building windows. I’ve been selling and erecting metal buildings for twenty five years and that term has not come up. Maybe it is a regional thing.
I suppose it just depends on if you want windows. It is nice to walk into a building with a little natural light versus a cave. If you want light you could install light panels high on the walls.

Thanks Redhead - these are Diamond Door Supply windows provided to us by the building manufacturer (GWB in Grand Junction) when we ordered. Supposedly "metal building windows" as they're aluminum with a channel in the bottom to fit over the ribbing of the steel panel, rather than nail fins all around.

 

[readhead]

Those things are miserable to install. I don’t think you will be happy with them.

 

[nmk_61802]

Pretty sure this that style of window is the "guaranteed to leak" window. If you can live without them, I probably would leave them off, unless you are prepared to chase down leaks.

 

[no704]

Just install a few flat screen tvs to eat up the wall space and loop animal panet or the game.

 

[nadogail]

Pretty sure this that style of window is the "guaranteed to leak" window. If you can live without them, I probably would leave them off, unless you are prepared to chase down leaks.

A bed of Silicone Caulk will be your answer to leak prevention.

 

[mountainNate]

Just install a few flat screen tvs to eat up the wall space and loop animal panet or the game.

Actually a significantly better idea. Cheers!

 

[JimH74]

I installed 6 windows in mine- 2 windows on three sides. I put the windows in for the light and appearance of the building. Wish I would NOT have put them in. I have chased leaks for years. I too, have that compression insulation that comes in rolls. Not worth the aggravation to me.

 

[Viper98912]

I don't have any personal experience in this (metal buildings), and I personally like windows because of the added natural light. But, I've seen many many posts on this forum where owners are constantly chasing window leaks in metal buildings, including in professionally built ones.

 

[Glemon]

I have never regretted adding windows, as others have said having some natural light makes the place more relaxing, and you don't have to flip the lights on if you just go out to grab a vehicle or a tool. If you are a little tired or burnt out from the project you could tackle the windows later. Are there other options? What kind of garage door(s) do you have. When I had to replace mine I went from windowless to windowed, and that garage didn't have any windows on that end. Loved the difference it made.

 

[johnre]

The security issue around having windows that can be opened in a detached building, hasn't been mentioned yet. I would consider this aspect as well.

If you are at all remaining doubtful, put them away for a while - at least a year - and don't even think of them. If you still want them when the year is up, you'll know better why this is, and you can put them in. If you don't want them, you can sell them.

 

[racecougar]

While I absolutely love having windows in my shop, I would not try to install those in a carport-style building. You'll be chasing leaks forever.

 

[readhead]

When did the OP say it was a carport style building? It wouldn’t matter anyway. A window is installed in a framed hole. The window doesn’t know what type of building it is being installed in.

 

[racecougar]

When did the OP say it was a carport style building? It wouldn’t matter anyway. A window is installed in a framed hole. The window doesn’t know what type of building it is being installed in.

My assumption based upon the OP's description.

Are the walls in the OP's building actually framed for windows? It doesn't sound like it.

 

[dcg9381]

So the question: If you had a detached building like ours, would windows be important to you, and would you install them? Or is the loss of thermal barrier and potential for a screw up during installation not worth the hassle? Appreciate your thoughts.

Our original steel building had no windows, it was all about keeping it simple, minimum cost and maintaining the thermal barrier.
I eventually extended it, closing in the lean-to on one side. We put windows in.

All windows **** compared to an insulated wall, but some are better than others... But it's no worse than having a window in your home.

My spouse really wanted windows in the original, my concern with windows was giving the tax man the idea that it was "residential" space where they'd murder me on taxes.