workshop window options?

[moobeast2]

Building a new workshop, 40x60x16 planned on six 4x5 double-paned windows. I know that's a lot of heat loss but want as much natural light as I can get. Are there any options for different window types that insulate better? I mean a real difference, not just an R or two better. Maybe some kind of insert or storm window that can be removed in warmer weather? Don't have the windows bought yet, contractor just going with some kind of generic window. Thanks for any help.

 

[Gary S]

Any window you buy will be a big heat loss hole in your building. You need to accept that and buy good ones, but also accept that you need to live with as little window as possible.

A 2x4 wall with R13 blankets and good insulated sheathing on the outside can be a R20 wall. A 2x6 wall with R19 blankets and good insulated sheathing can be a R25 wall.
A cheap single pane window will be around R1.

If you spend more money for an argon filled 2 pane thermopane, you get R3. If you blow bigger bucks for a 3 pane argon filled high E thermopane, you get R5 windows.

It doesn't take a genuis to see that even a 2x4 well insulated wall is light years beyond the best window you can afford.

 

[Jeeprz!]

Maybe you should consider tube sky lights instead of windows if your not concerned with having the view from the windows;

http://www.ehow.com/how_5736510_save-energy-tube-skylights.html

I dont have them nor do i know anyone off hand that does but i read about them sometime ago and to me it seemed like a cool option for several reasons, not to mention six 4x5 double-paned windows can't be inexpensive. No wasted wall space in a garage as with standard windows, if it's an already existing garage no major remodel or re-framing because u can bend the tube like duct work around your trusses as needed. I know you asked about the heat loss issue and i dont know about that, but at the time I read about them I was thinking how easy it would be to homebrew some of these if you were on a tight budget like myself.

 

[Nighttrain]

Instead of the cheap single pane windows the building company sells I found 4 - 3'6" x 6' nice double pane windows at a local window shop. They were special orders that where never sold. If I can remember I think they were $100 each. The builder just welded up the frames from the begining and aligned them with the purlins. Work great for me in Texas winters

 

[Zeke]

Well, the OP is going to have 120 sq ft of R3 windows. How much is that in comparison to the whole energy package?

I calculate 5600 sq ft of wall and flat ceiling w/o doors and not even considering the floor area of another 2400 sq ft. That's 2% of window area. I'd not worry so much about windows.

In calculating energy you can add to one area in order to compensate for another. In this monster building that would amount to what, another 1/8 " of insulation on the ceiling?

 

[djjsr]

I don't know if it's an option for you, but some building codes require 2 windows installed, one right against the other, to reduce airplane noise if the house is within a certain distance of an airport.

I had a house in California with double windows on just one side of the house because of this code. Not only did it eliminate noise but it also was a really good insulator with 2 windows, each having double panes. Just had to open both windows to get some air.

 

[moobeast2]

jeprz,

Those look really interesting; I've looked at a number of sites about them not much info on heat loss. Anyone else familiar with these light tubes?

 

[stingry]

Put in the windows!! I used double pane 3x4 units and the light they let in makes the interior so much brighter! The heat loss is neglishable and it will make working in the shop so much more pleasant.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Zeke]

The original was called Solatube. It was an Australian invention IIRC. They are sealed, no heat loss. I hate the light they produce but never seen them in a shop. I understand they have filters now to tame them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Six 4'x5' double paned windows in a shop, I'd be more worried about a crook coming in them than the heat go out them.

 

[Falcon67]

I used 5 each aluminum frame 2x3 double pane insulated low E windows. They were a whopping $75 each at McCoys. I just made sure to caulk the flanges before install and to drop felt paper around them before the siding. We had some good 25+ north wind this last weekend and I didn't feel any air leakage around the windows, which is all I cared about. I don't know the R value and don't really care - they are there for other reasons like ventilation and viewage. My past experience with windows in a house suggests that you will block more cold transfer using vinyl if your budget allows. In a tight building with people, showers, cooking, etc - aluminum can sweat on real cold days. In my shop, I have not seen that problem.

 

[mtne]

I just did a house with the Anderson series 100 composite windows. They have the advantages of wood and vinyl without the drawbacks at a low to mid-grade vinyl price. There's not load of features but it seems a quality product at a reasonable price. Unless something better comes along or some negative pops up I'll be using them on my house and garage too.

If you just want cheap, troll the returns isle or CL and build to whatever size you get.

 

[rlitman]

What about glass blocks?

 

[project_junkie]

Window cost can be a major portion of the budget. Even though I live in Ohio, I wanted a lot of natural light. I am willing to accapt the heat loss in exchange for the light that big windows bring in. Also, I don't tend to work on big projects in the Winter months so I won't heat my shop that much. Anyway, I scored two good deals on Craigslist before I finished my plans for my building. I have a total of $380 in all my windows. They are all double pane glass and some are argon filled and low E glass. All are fixed glass so none of them open. Obvioisly they could still be broken out by a theif, but if someone really wants to get in, they will probably find a way no matter how small the window is. I figured I could open the doors up if I want air and I put an exhaust fan in the wall to move it. Anyway, Craigslist is a good source for windows if you are patient.

 

[Toolman12]

As a added security feature to the alarm system i added cactus gardens under all the windows in my garage no is going brave the long thorns of large cactus bushes a little off topic i know but i thought this would help it did for me

 

[Falcon67]

Not a bad idea - security lighting, shutters and cacti are about as good as anything. My first house used Holly bushes under the windows. You did not want to get crosswise with those. Pyracantha bushes work too.

 

[kbs2244]

A big increase in window cost is if they open or not.
"Fixed pane" are a lot cheaper.
I saw a shop where he used sliding door panels turned sideways.
Lots of light.
But I prefer having the wall space available and thus prefer skylights.

 

[project_junkie]

As far as wall space....I have 10' walls and installed my windows high enough that I have almost 4' under the large windows. I plan to put workbenches right under the windows so loss of space from the windows is minimal.