Windows: Will I Even Miss Them?

[Bull]

I am reorganizing my garage (never ending). I have one wall on which I am trying to place most of my cabinets, my bench etc. I have two windows there, side by side, that are sort of a pain. I feel like, from a "design" standpoint, I need to have the work bench right under them, centered. But that becomes very limiting in terms of how I can arrange things.

I am considering putting two very tall (7' or so) cabinets in front of them. This means the windows would be inaccessible. This would be bad in the sense that, well, I wouldn't be able to open them and would not get the natural light from them. These windows face southeast. There are two other windows, facing southwest, that would give some light.

But, having the windows covered means one less place for prying eyes, I suppose.

Would you ever cover up a window in your garage, or is that just stupid?

You can see them at the back of this picture.

 

[uniballer]

As long as you have lights, why are you worried about windows?

 

[Bull]

As long as you have lights, why are you worried about windows?

Well, I'm not sure!

Cool spring breezes?

The ability to get fresh air in?

Mostly, I'm worried about putting two huge, heavy cabinets in front of them, loading them up, and then going "oh, ****."

 

[rslaback]

If they face the way that most people would be coming to your shop from then yes, you will miss them. If they face another random direction you won't. I don't have any windows at all in my garage and I am considering wiring in a cheap cam system from a car backup system above the garage door so I can see, not just hear, when someone pulls up.

 

[Bull]

If they face the way that most people would be coming to your shop from then yes, you will miss them. If they face another random direction you won't. I don't have any windows at all in my garage and I am considering wiring in a cheap cam system from a car backup system above the garage door so I can see, not just hear, when someone pulls up.

They face a field; although no one should be coming from that direction I have spotted trespassers through them a few times and sprung into action.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Natural light and fresh air can't be beat...I would miss them.

 

[justanengineer]

If you have spotted trespassers/problems through them before, you may end up doing so again.

Personally, I like windows for one simple reason. Windows = escape routes when "oh ****" moments happen. Folks can say what they will about being possible entry points, but Im much more concerned about being able to get out. Tools can be replaced, I cant, tho Im sure SWMBO would try....

 

[czr12x]

I installed 3 more for the natural light etc... not a fan of caves.

 

[coljar]

In my case, I had the advantage of carefully planning where to put each of my windows and believe me when I say, I over thought all of them.............except one. I put one in the gable facing south and towards the house, but I didn't put one in the north gable, and I sure wish I had. The light the one lets in is incredible. My old garage next door has bars on the inside of the windows facing the train tracks and maybe that would work for you, but I think you will miss them if you cover them up.

 

[larry_g]

I wouldn't give up the window. Think about what is going in all the storage you have and make sure that it is worthy of the space. It looks to me like you have already lost a doorway.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Bull]

I wouldn't give up the window. Think about what is going in all the storage you have and make sure that it is worthy of the space. It looks to me like you have already lost a doorway.

lg
no neat sig line

I did lose a doorway! But that is a function of limited budget and poor designing on my part. I was young(er) and dumb(er) when I built the garage. I have three parking bays, but unless my tools and equipment are going to be crammed along walls next to cars, giving you inches to walk or bend down, I can't really keep three cars in there.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Not at all. We built our garage without any windows just because of your situation. I wanted to be able to put anything anywhere, and so far it's been great

 

[Deltarat]

I built mine with no windows for more wall space and less chance of break in. Don't miss them.

 

[chief ben]

Move the windows up and block off the ones you have, and get some fans put in. I have one big window up high in each end, and in the summer I open the the big 10ft doors on each end,

 

[Rentawrench]

Build a caster system for the cabinets. Easyier to clean an change your mind -"I need some light for this job "

Try moving the cabinets from the door way to the windows,still a lil light an use the space near the door with the new ones. Enjoying the snow ? lol

 

[brickG-man]

It looks like you have one overhead door blocked with stuff and I speculate that there is one behind where you were taking the photo from. That should give you all of the fresh air that you need.

 

[Jawn]

If you have spotted trespassers/problems through them before, you may end up doing so again.

Personally, I like windows for one simple reason. Windows = escape routes when "oh ****" moments happen. Folks can say what they will about being possible entry points, but Im much more concerned about being able to get out. Tools can be replaced, I cant, tho Im sure SWMBO would try....

Yes. Give me escape routes.

This is from over a decade ago, but one of them was an acquaintance.

http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=99

 

[John in OH]

I would miss the windows. At the urging of one of my sons, I actually added three additional windows above and beyond the four windows originally included in my new shop design. Very pleased with the additional light.

Keep in mind that if you place cabinets in front of the windows you won't be able to easily clean behind them and the light-loving spiders, flies, bugs and untold other creepy crawlies will build bug cities in the space between the cabinets and the window panes!

 

[Daddy454]

Personally,I need the light.My shop is well lit,but nothing beats a little fresh air and sunshine on a nice day in the shop.And when it's too cold out to open the door/windows,I just pull up the blinds and let the sun shine in.

 

[santagary]

USE SOME BLINDS FROM A THRIFT STORE FOR PRIVACY AT NIGHT OR WHEN YOU'RE AWAY...SIMPLE SOLUTION.

 

[mnster]

Unless you glance thru them. Or use them for ventilation. You'll never miss them. Open the garage door if you want natural light.

 

[RVDan]

I have no windows in my garage or workshop. I've never said "I wish I had a window"

I have windows in my doors though, just for some light to find my way to the door when I trip a breaker or if the lights to out for some other reason

 

[darkk]

30x30 with no windows, keeps the nosy's out. Need air, outside light, open the door. We have man doors on two opposing walls and two 9x10 doors on one wall. plenty of escape routes. If I really miss the outdoors, then I go outdoors....

 

[camarotoolman]

Forget the windows, show pics of the car!

 

[gunguy]

Hang a blanket over the windows to block the light and live with it for awhile. It might give you an idea if you if you like it or not.

Jim

 

[Donald Cook]

I had 2 windows, took them out now shelves & pegboard. I don't miss them at all. It seems my garage will never be big enough for windows. I just open the door for fresh air. Maybe I'll put one in the door.

 

[trythis]

Regardless of the windows, I dont like tall floor cabinets. I like to have work bench or tools on the perimeter. If it were me I'd ditch the big cabinets and keep all the work bench space. Maybe that would be a consideration.

 

[Strouty]

USE SOME BLINDS FROM A THRIFT STORE FOR PRIVACY AT NIGHT OR WHEN YOU'RE AWAY...SIMPLE SOLUTION.

^^^^^Go smoke another one buddy, then read his original post.^^^^^^^^

Bull, I suspect you don't have enough height on the wall to put windows above the cabinets? If not I would either place the cabinets and figure if you miss the windows you can move them later or make them on casters as suggested previously. Personally I like everything (possible) on wheels of some sort.

 

[54FordPanel]

I'd keep the windows accessible if possible. I open mine all the time and use my big-*** floor fan by the window and my leaf blower to blow stuff out the big door.
Plus, the light is nice and the breeze is nice.

X2 on having everything you can on casters. The bigger it is, the more handy the casters are. I put my parts washer on casters and my blasting cabinet on casters.

 

[Modifieddriver]

I think you'll miss the windows.

I have them where my current work bench is and like the natural light during the day.

New shop I'm working on will have long rectangular windows near the ceiling over the work bench. I did that for natural light and security reasons.

 

[ddawg16]

Another vote for keeping the windows.....

How about moving them up? Better yet.....a series of awning windows at say 7'? Within reach....you can open them for air....if it's raining, the rain just drips off them....and you get your fresh air and light.

I know some guys don't have windows....but when it comes to being in the garage all day....natural light is hard to beat.....

 

[sberry]

I feel like, from a "design" standpoint, I need to have the work bench right under them, centered. But that becomes very limiting in terms of how I can arrange things.

Whats so important about "center"? I see lots of stuff built that way because it seemed a good idea at the time,,, but boxes, shelves do not understand this concept. It isn't always the right place, often this early conclusion about center leaves it less than ideal in the end.

I remember when building my recent shop my Dad asked about door locations,,, glad I didn't go with first thoughts but when I show the rear door location that was the comment,, its not in the center, it should be in the center,,, I ask why,,,, well,,, its the center, ha

 

[e10]

I had no windows until I had a new door installed. Put 2 windows in the top of the door, it is great to have a bit of natural light and they are high enough that you can't see in from outside.

 

[JimVonBaden]

If they face the way that most people would be coming to your shop from then yes, you will miss them. If they face another random direction you won't. I don't have any windows at all in my garage and I am considering wiring in a cheap cam system from a car backup system above the garage door so I can see, not just hear, when someone pulls up.

Good idea, I have the same issue.

How about this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/black-and-white-security-system-with-two-cameras-monitor-66556.html

Jim

 

[ny1]

IMHO I'd say keep the windows.

 

[Kev442]

After 10 years of a windowless dungeon, I added three small windows this year. They are up high, so my view is of leaves and sky, but so nice to have natural light and not turn on lights for every little thing I do in there.

 

[bczygan]

Windows are a conundrum for designers like me. On the one hand, you want vast areas of glass to bring the outdoors in. On the other, it eats up wall space. So the answer is balance. We need, as humans, to be able to see outside. We need to see long and short vistas and connect to the natural world. If you eliminate that, you may as well work in the bowels of a mine or the center of a large industrial plant. Well placed and sized windows are a necessity. If wrongly located, move them.
Take heed Bull.

 

[Strouty]

I have some really bright T-8 sunlight style bulbs in my fixtures. It feels like I am outside most of the time. I do have windows in the garage doors, so I can't say my shop is windowless. The other thing you might consider is cut the back of the cabinets out, then you can see through the stuff on the shelves. We had to do that when my girlfriend decided to buy a cabinet that was almost as big as any wall in our house.

 

[shoot summ]

My 3 car garage/shop has no windows. I'm not willing to sacrifice wall space for them, and don't care for the (lack) of security aspect of them. If I really needed natural light I would put in some solar tubes.

 

[Doug B]

I only have one window in my garage....and I never look out of it,so I wouldn't miss them. Are those the cabinets laying down in the photo? Go ahead and put them in front of the windows,but don't fill them up for a while...see if you like it.