Window suggestions

[BEATO]

Hi All. So my garage remodel has begun. Due to local variance laws, I unfortunately cannot get a two car garage but need to settle for a one and a half car garage. Here is the plan for storing my two cars.

I have a question about windows. Do you think the single window in the side is enough?
Was contemplating

1. Current single normal windpow
2. 3 square windows (basically one half the current size) spread out along the wall evenly spaced ( not together
3. 3 square awning windows together up higher.

I am leaning on keeping the current window as it will provide me with more wall for hanging pictures or slat wall but I was contemplating more windows to increase the natural light.

 

[Overboost44]

Maybe one on the East and one on the West side to catch the sun? Depends on how important your wall space is to you.

 

[MovingAlong]

I don't care for sunlight in the garage. It's to bright and contrasting, makes it to difficult to see anything in a dark engine bay or underneath the vehicle.

If working on a car, shutting the garage doors is my first step... my home is older and I don't have any windows in the garage.

 

[mikedodge]

Do what's right for you. What's more important- light from the windows or wall space? Personally I'd rather have the wall space because it looks like you'd still need additional lights in there any even if you had another window and wouldn't be any better if you've got a car parked there blocking them anyway.

 

[DaveAndStuff]

Skylights

 

[Stuart in MN]

People will argue back and forth about windows - they take up wall space, they compromise security, etc , etc. Personally I like having some natural light. You can have windows in the garage door or side door too. Make sure there aren't walls where you can't have a window due to local codes - for instance, if a wall is up against the neighboring property line.

 

[racecougar]

Agreed; everyone has a different opinion on windows. My thought? It looks like it's a brand new window and already framed in. I wouldn't bother changing now.

 

[CraigStu]

You could also put glass in the man door. The kind w/ what looks like chicken wire imbeded in it. Otherwise I agree w/ MovingAlong, as I have had to tape my garage door windows over a few times to cut the glare.

 

[bdbecker]

As others have said, it comes down to personal preference. I added windows above the workbench in my last shop and it was easily one of my favorite upgrades. Yeah, I had less wall space, but I also had a nice view.

Before:


During:


After:

 

[The Cobbler]

When I built mine I contemplated on either 2 - 4'x4' windows spaced evenly , or 1- 6'x3' centered on the north wall .( both options were sliders that were pulls from jobs that I had on hand )
I decided on the 6'x3' window centered . it serves it's purpose

It's a lot of personal choice .

 

[65ranchero]

I prefer windows, in 2 walls and added insulated garage doors with upper lites makes for daylight
most of the time I don't need interior lighting dur to window locations.
When I build my second attached garage, I recycled windows taken out of the house when they were replaced and sold other windows.

 

[jmiller_2308]

It is definitely a personal preference but for me I really like some natural light.

My original garage was built with no windows mostly because I was being paranoid about privacy and security. I found that with no windows it was a dark cave that I didn't want to spend much time in and if I wanted to see outside I'd end up opening the garage door which then let everyone see and hear what I was doing.

When I added the shop extension I put in one rectangular awning window over the desk area and 2 rectangular windows up high on adjacent walls in the service area. The natural light as well as the ability to see time passing makes the space a great deal nicer to be in as well as keeping me from working late into the night when I forget to look at my watch.

If I were to do it again I would have all of the windows open so that it would be easier to get fresh air in and stale air out. If you have a high ceiling you can put the windows high so they still leave wall space and also reduce the likelihood of people looking or breaking in. Up high does make opening problematic; it would be great to have windows with a mechanism to open/close them from the ground.

 

[sailor_lou]

As noted above, there is no one right answer. In my case, transom windows over the garage doors did the trick.

 

[driftpin]

I like the windows just above the workbench. In a house, I like that style of windows just above the kitchen counters, especially if there is a considerable distance to any neighbors.

Yes in a garage, that would eat-up some tool-hanging space, but the natural lighting makes the space more-inviting.

In an area where crime is always an issue, I would place the windows higher-up, if having them at-all.