Do I need windows in workshop ??

[Knuckles]

Hi All,
I am in the middle stages of planing my workshop build. The building will be 12 x 20 with the long side parallel with a 8 ft tall fence. My question is how important are windows ? I will be installing a mini-spilt system and the shop will have gable end vents, 1 entry door with window and screen and a roll-up
garage door and maybe an exhaust fan.
Thanks for your input. Knuckles

 

[Berta]

Windows are not a necessity. I have had shops with and without

 

[oldtexasdog]

Free light is nice. If your worried about security make them long windows high up. I do like to be able to glance outside.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Just my opinion!

I chose not to have windows when I built my shop and I have not regretted it. There were 3 reasons:

1st, windows are drafty and cause a loss of heat or cool air, making it difficult to have a climate controlled shop;

2nd, windows take up valuable wall space, and I like to have a lot of "stuff" hanging on walls;

3rd, while windows provide natural light, that light is constantly moving throughout the day, making it difficult to get a consistent view of your work piece. I prefer plenty of artificial light (florescent LED's) to give me a consistent appearance as I build a piece. If you decide you absolutely must have a window for natural light, try to place it along a north facing wall, where you won't be affected by the movement of the sun throughout the day.

 

[Charlie]

Just my opinion!

I chose not to have windows when I built my shop and I have not regretted it. There were 3 reasons:

1st, windows are drafty and cause a loss of heat or cool air, making it difficult to have a climate controlled shop;

2nd, windows take up valuable wall space, and I like to have a lot of "stuff" hanging on walls;

3rd, while windows provide natural light, that light is constantly moving throughout the day, making it difficult to get a consistent view of your work piece. I prefer plenty of artificial light (florescent LED's) to give me a consistent appearance as I build a piece. If you decide you absolutely must have a window for natural light, try to place it along a north facing wall, where you won't be affected by the movement of the sun throughout the day.

I fully agree with Bill. Lost wall space is the biggest issue.

 

[Cuprousworks]

Just depends on your priorities, as it is for wall surfaces.

Windows and painted walls make for a more pleasant environment and I'll enjoy my time there more, possibly spending more time there as well. But I'm a hobbiest, not seeking maximum efficiency.

 

[Charlie]

 

[Jack A.]

There are definitely down-sides to windows. However, I personally require at least some sunlight and connection to the outside world. I worked for a few years in a home office with no windows and I found it very disturbing. My shop has a pair of windows on one wall. That's been enough for me.

 

[Al Olme]

It seems that having natural light is a big help in judging colors. When my shop was in a windowless basement, it had a color correct "full spectrum" lamp to help that issue. Those lamps are pretty expensive, I found a used on in a yarn shop. Aside from the light, opening a window when using some smelly chemicals is nice.

 

[ScottM]

I have a 660 sq shop with windows on 3 sides. The fourth side has a garage type door. In retrospect I should have limited to two sides.

 

[Mike Davis]

I have been able to do everything I need with Macintosh, no Windows for me.

 

[blackhawk]

I've sat in a cubicle for the past 30 years without a window. I would give me eye tooth for a window at my job. I couldn't stand my shop to not have a window. First thing, that I do when I wake up is open every shade and curtain in my house. I love natural light and being able to see outdoors.

 

[tvrgeek]

Another vote for high up. I even frosted mine. Do consider egress in both ends of the shop for fire safety. The only problem with windows is giving up wall space. One of mine is covered with my plane and saw till.

Not just a window, but the ability to focus long distance helps fatigue. I have lived in both "Dilbertville" and in standard 5 x 5 Gov. standard holes in the basement, but at least my last office was above ground so we had windows at the end of the row. It is advised that at least twice an hour, you focus at infinity.

South facing gives the most light but glare can be a problem. I think most artists want north facing windows. More even and no glare.

Al, "full spectrum" used to be a 4 tube, 2 warm, 2 cool, was SOP in paint stores. Now LEDs come in 2300 to over 5K so probably a better modern choice.

Mike, None of my acoustic measurement tools run on a Mac. I hate Windows and 11 is horrible, but Apple is no saint in how they treat customers. I used to be an authorized service when I was fixing Tempest modified Macs. I'm a UNIX guy at heart. Give me RC.3 any day!

 

[DSWalker]

Henry W just posted, or reposted a free Skylight.

If you really want more daylight, that's an alternative without the loss of wallspace as mentioned by many.

I enjoy being able to glance outside. Sounds like your door will have a window. That may be plenty in your sq footage.

 

[Howie]

Hi All,
I am in the middle stages of planing my workshop build. The building will be 12 x 20 with the long side parallel with a 8 ft tall fence. My question is how important are windows ? I will be installing a mini-spilt system and the shop will have gable end vents, 1 entry door with window and screen and a roll-up
garage door and maybe an exhaust fan.
Thanks for your input. Knuckles

Every shop needs a think'n chair. Perhaps a think'n stool combined w/vintage shipping/receiving desk at one end or corner looking out over your kingdom.

 

[mpeele]

My first workshop 16X24 had windows. 1 4'X6' and 36" door with window one end, double 30" door with window on other end and 2 30X36 on one side. That left me with 1 24' wall and about 8' of full wall space. I think the doors and windows were about half the material cost of the shop. At first I enjoyed it but as I added stuff to the shop I really needed the wall space more than the light. I also found myself working more at night that during the day sdo I added 6 rows of 3 4' light fixtures. After 10 years of working and growing the shop I wished I had put the cost in floor space instead of windows. I now have a basement workshop with no windows lots of daylight leds and do not miss the windows.

I also would have two 48" doors instead of the the 36" and double 30". I also located the front door so I could put a 16" tall cabinet behind it and the read door so I could put a dust collector behind it when it was open.

 

[KeithB]

My first "shop", basically a big closet, had no windows. My next workspace was in an apartment with no windows. I hated not having any natural light or any connection to the outside. All of my shops since have had windows and my bench was always located next to the windows to take advantage of the natural light and ability to see our bird feeder as well. A shop without windows and all artificial light to me, would feel very clinical, like a office cubical rather than a place to be creative and relaxing.

 

[AllanD]

I love all my windows and can't imagine working with no windows at all. But I like (and need!) a lot of light so I have so many LED fixtures I get teased by others that say they need sunglasses.

 

[Charlie Buchanan]

Lots of pros and cons on windows. The bottom line for me is I need natural light more than I need AC, heat, or wall space. I like lots of light and windows open when it’s warm enough.

 

[Al Olme]

Another vote for high up. I even frosted mine. Do consider egress in both ends of the shop for fire safety. The only problem with windows is giving up wall space. One of mine is covered with my plane and saw till.

Not just a window, but the ability to focus long distance helps fatigue. I have lived in both "Dilbertville" and in standard 5 x 5 Gov. standard holes in the basement, but at least my last office was above ground so we had windows at the end of the row. It is advised that at least twice an hour, you focus at infinity.

South facing gives the most light but glare can be a problem. I think most artists want north facing windows. More even and no glare.

Al, "full spectrum" used to be a 4 tube, 2 warm, 2 cool, was SOP in paint stores. Now LEDs come in 2300 to over 5K so probably a better modern choice.

Mike, None of my acoustic measurement tools run on a Mac. I hate Windows and 11 is horrible, but Apple is no saint in how they treat customers. I used to be an authorized service when I was fixing Tempest modified Macs. I'm a UNIX guy at heart. Give me RC.3 any day!

I remember that. It isn't really all that uncommon for me to be wrong but I believe that it isn't possible for a fluorescent tube to be "Full Spectrum". It seems that along time ago I read an article that maintained that no single LED could be full spectrum. Who knows what can be done now? My photo lights have several hundred individual LEDs; maybe that fixes it. Most LED photo lights have a dial or slider that lets you pick the color you like.